I often have a very unpleasant and pungent vaginal odor, but I don't have strong body odor. I'm very hygienic and have tried over-the-counter remedies including douches and Summer's Eve vaginal wash. Do you know what might remedy this problem? -- M

Dear M:

As with all disturbances of our body's natural balance, when a pungent odor occurs from inside the body it may signal disease or injury. Healthy, normal female genitalia are basically odor-free, except for the naturally musky scent of sexual juices. That kind of odor is often the best aphrodisiac for a partner, and many women find they need to overcome childhood or societal conditioning that has taught them that having a genital odor of any kind is bad. The fact is that human bodies smell, and one person's turn off may be one person's arousal cue.

My first concern is always for you to check out your health status with a competent health-care provider, such as an STD clinic, Planned Parenthood or local gynecologist. Malodorous discharge or simply a bad smell "down there" can be a sign that something's wrong medically. Vaginitis is often associated with a foul or fishy odor, as is trichomonas or candidiasis.

If you are in good medical condition and there's no underpinning of infection or irritation, then I suspect that your pH (acid/base value) factor is off. Diet, stress and use of perfumes or inappropriate lubrications inside the vagina can affect the genital pH factor. Often, women fall prey to advertising messages that push them into using perfumed douches and sprays to kill off nature's aromas. In fact, using a scented douche might be the core of your problem. Always use either the betadine antiseptic douche, available in most discounted drug stores (alone or in a pre-packaged douche kit), or a diluted white vinegar solution, preferably with distilled water. Using these helpful products to rinse the vaginal walls may restore your pH to its balanced state. Avoid the use of any oils, lotions or lubricants that contain petroleum-based ingredients. They can literally plug up the tissue of the vagina, causing distress and discharging residue.

Be aware that what you eat, smoke, drink and even think can have a bearing on internal odor making. If you are consuming soy sauce or tamari, eating heavily spiced food, smoking cigarettes, consuming large amounts of alcohol, or operating under intensely stressful conditions in your life, you may be affecting your vaginal health and well-being. So, relax, eat well, exercise, and be careful about what you put into your mouth. You may be surprised to find that what emits from your most precious flower below is sweeter than you ever imagined.