We don't like to discuss our vaginas because we think of them as some big secret. However, everyone knows that we have them, so it's time to be more open about the subject. After all, if we want to keep them clean, then we're going to have to talk about them. Here are a few ways to assure that we'll always smell fresh down there:

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1. Wash with Hot Water, Not Soap

When you step into the shower, you should keep soap away from the area. You should never use a vaginal douche either, because it'll actually harm your vagina instead of clean it. You should stick to using warm water to wash the area. It doesn't seem like a lot, but it's all we actually need.

2. Change Your Pad Frequently during Your Period

During that time of the month, it's natural for us to feel grossed out by what's going on down there. However, you shouldn't feel all that dirty if you change your pads or tampons frequently. As long as you don't keep them in place for too long, then there shouldn't be any nasty odors.

3. Wipe from Front to Back after Peeing

When you go to the bathroom, make sure to wipe from the front to the back. You never want to start at the back, because the bacteria from back there can get into your vagina and cause you harm. But as long as you start in the front, you should be able to keep yourself healthy.

4. Wear Cotton Underwear and Loose Clothing

The type of clothes we wear can seriously affect the way our bodies smell. As pretty as silky thongs are, you should wear cotton underwear as much as possible. It's also healthiest to wear loose fitting clothes so that your skin can breathe. If you're always wearing skinny jeans, you could end up harming yourself down there.

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5. Pee after Sex

If you're sexually active, it's incredibly important to pee after sex. It pushes out any bacteria that might be inside of you. If you forget to pee, then you could end up with a Urinary Tract Infection, which can cause an unpleasant odor down there. Even worse, it'll cause you pain and make you feel like you have to pee every five minutes, even when you don't actually have to go.

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6. Eat More Fruit and Yogurt

Your diet can also impact the way that you smell down there. Try to eat more yogurt and fruit if you want to improve your odor. Not only will it make you smell sweet, but it'll keep your entire body healthy. There's never a bad time to stock up on fruits.

7. Go to the Doctor when Something's Wrong

If the odor down there is different than usual, or if you notice a new colored discharge, then you should head to your gynecologist. It's not as scary as it sounds. Yes, she's going to look at you in a place you're not used to showing doctors, but she won't hurt you at all. Besides, it's always a good idea to get a checkup, even if everything is running smoothly.

If you follow these simple tips, then your vagina should always smell clean, with no offensive odors to be found. What other tips do you have for smelling good down there?

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Vaginas are supposed to smell like vaginas, you're not supposed to smell like rosebuds down there, and it's not healthy to try and change that. If you have discharge though that smells, that's one reason that warrants cleaning. But otherwise your bag is a self cleaning machine.

This article is spot on! Our vagina cleans itself, all day, everyday. Soap isn't necessary. As per my Dr/obgyn, Soap actually irritates the vagina. Cleaning the vaginal area with hot water does suffice, & doing so in the shower is best. When washing 100% cotton underwear, cotton is highly recommended, use a mild soap with no fleecy/fabric softener. Ladies, I had an ongoing issue around my vaginal wall, started the no soap, cotton underwear, loose clothing, always wipe front to back after urinating and the irritation cleared up without medication. Sometimes, less is more!!! Some of you are really closed minded, & douching is really bad and absolutely unnecessary for any woman's vagina.

I hate the taste of yogurt. A daily dose (just a tablespoon) of apple cider vinegar with juice or water does the same thing and it help you loss weight

Of course you should use soap. Yes yes we are women with vaginas but typically that nasty smell is bacteria on the outside. I would rather smell like roses than dead fish. Sheesh !

Wash with soap simply put!!

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I once read a certain article it said ..pineapples make the vagina smell n.taste sweet ..also they said no oranges if you find that you have any urinary tract infectionz it worsen the itchy thang...for more clarity..just do more research.

And because females have shorter urethra it is more likely you can get infections especially if your partner already has a sexually transmitted infection

Ridiculous. So wash the rest of your body with soap, but not the one place that gets sweaty and gross? Yea I don't think so. Why do underarms stink if you don't use deodorant? Because bacteria and sweat, so people use soap to wash... I can't believe I'm having to explain this. I tied don't use soap if you want to smell like fish and hippies