What is causing my vulva to smell acidic? What can I do about it?

Good morning, ma'am,

How long have you noticed this?

Do you have any other symptoms such as unusual discharge, pain or itching?

Thanks for the feedback, I'm sorry for the delay I didn't see the notification!

I want to reassure you that a certain odor does not necessarily indicate a problem, especially if you have already seen a doctor about it and a problem has been ruled out.

The smell is analogous to sweating, and can depend on the time of day, diet, daily activities (e.g. sweating), and can even vary through the menstrual cycle.

The first thing to focus on is non-pharmacological measures, if this has not been tried:

Ensure basic hygiene with water. If soap is desired, I suggest a mild, fragrance-free soap, such as the Dove stick, which can be used all over the body, including the outside of the vagina. Vagisil products and douches are best avoided.

I suggest wearing clothes that are not tight and that allow breathing, such as cotton clothes and underwear.

You mention presenting this for several months. If there has been a recent change in odor, and/or any other new symptoms, it would be prudent to consult a physician.

I hope this has been helpful, and if you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Tom Samaha, pharmacist