By Jenn Even

Interesting week. I receive a lot of e-mails through the website, and since I have limited time, it can sometimes be a week or so before I have a chance to thoroughly read them all. While reading them yesterday, a female reader sent me a "Dear Jenn" advice request. She claimed to be a 19-year-old, fairly-attractive young woman with one serious problem – vaginal odor. Well, to her it is vaginal odor. All she knows is that no matter how much she cleans, washes, and douches her private areas, she still detects a highly unpleasant odor every time she pulls down her panties (if not sooner).

This letter rang a responsive chord because a male co-worker of mine was complaining to me this week about a similar incident. It seemed that he was finally in a position to be intimate with his girlfriend of about four weeks. They began removing clothing, and finally got down to the underwear level. Like many men, he likes to be the one to remove his prospective mate’s bra and panties. The bra was removed without incident, and he was a mere few moments from reaching the true prize. He slowly slipped his fingertips inside the elastic bands of her skin fitting panties, and while feeling the curves of her hips, began to slide them down over her hips and thighs. As they lowered, and while her head was flung back in slight ecstasy, he began detecting an odor emanating from her private area. She was mostly shaved, and as soon as the panties were removed, she eagerly spread her legs while angling his head toward her legs and crotch. As he began licking up from the inner thighs, the smell got worse. As he continued to lick upward, to the upper-inner thighs, nearing the bikini lines, the smell became unbearable. He claims he started uncontrollably choking. He had to pull up quickly, and while completely naked, looked away, cupped his mouth, and coughed almost to a vomit. She asked him what was wrong, and he said he didn’t know, that he was feeling a little nauseous. She wondered why it came about so quickly, and he suggested that perhaps he needed a shower to clear his head and would she join him. She suspected it was her that he felt needed the shower, and she asked him if he thought she smelled bad "down there." He said he wasn’t sure, but maybe they could shower together. The shower never happened, clothes went back on, and my friend survived to live another day.

Ladies and gentlemen, let that be the prelude to a column that I hope will ensure that kind of embarrassment never happens to you. I am about to tell you what causes vaginal odor, and what a girl (or guy) can do to help keep it tolerable (including a few Jenn tricks). And if I spare even one person the ridicule that could happen from an incident like above (and especially the gal who wrote me the e-mail), I will have done my job.

Truth be told, I am somewhat of an expert in this field. Why? Well certainly not because my privates smell. Actually, mine have almost a flowery smell. How’s that for conceit? ;) The reason is because I am a hygiene freak. I need to smell good 24 hours a day, and I always need to be clean. If my privates smelled, I would spend every day and hour finding the cause and fixing the problem. And it’s not just limited to me. If I date a guy, he better be clean, almost spotless. No hairs popping out of the nose or ears, and no excessive hair on the neck or back. If a guy I date has dirt under his fingernails, I am repulsed to a point of no return. Actually, make that dirt anywhere. Personal hygiene is important. Bad breath? Don’t try it. Dandruff? No way. So my meticulousness (okay, obsession) for good hygiene makes me an expert here.

Factually, many women have differing levels of vaginal odor. Some are very strong, others hardly even noticeable. There are guys out there who do not mind the musky, fishy odors, and others that are turned off, and away, by the slightest odor. Most women I have come into contact with my whole life have always been cognizant of their own odors. Others, like the gal my co-worker was dating, probably became so used to the odor that she was no longer even aware of it.

The main "medical" cause of vaginal odor is an infection called Bacterial Vaginosis. This is the cause of that dreaded "fishy" odor, which has been the butt for male jokes for seemingly the last few centuries. It is easily treatable with antibiotics. However, not all cases of vaginal odor are caused by this infection. Others just require a bit better hygiene and diet. Here are some Jenn hygiene suggestions for the women reading who might suffer from this problem. And for you guys reading, perhaps you can use my suggestions to help your mate, whether you do it directly or indirectly.

• The genital area should be washed once or twice a day (and guys, this goes for you too!) with warm soapy water. No scrubbing! The scrubbing can cause irritation.
• No douching or perfuming. This will do more harm. It can irritate, and make the smell even worse. Vaginal odor and perfume of any kind makes a lethal combination!
• Improve your diet. Certain food like garlic will contribute highly to vaginal odor. Also, avoid spicy foods and sauces. Instead, consume yogurt and other foods low in salt. You will want to avoid vaginal sweating as much as possible, and things high in salt and caffeine can cause that sweating.
• As weird as it sounds, you can also lightly rub some yogurt directly on your privates as much as twice daily. I learned this trick in college, and have used it several times with positive results.
• Try cotton underwear. It breathes better, cutting down on moisture.
• Try sleeping without underwear! I absolutely never sleep with underwear. I like to feel free while I sleep, and this might be a great first step for anyone with vaginal odor. And guys, perhaps you can talk your gals into sleeping without underwear. Tell them it turns you on, or it’s healthier. Whatever

Anyway, that’s a little advice on the touchy subject. Proper hygiene, diet, and lifestyle can tame or eliminate vaginal odor. Remember to pass this link on to your friends, enemies, or anyone else who might benefit from it, even if you do it anonymously! ;)

Jenn