Vaginal discharge and odor are never fun topics, but they can be especially embarrassing right after having sex. Wondering if your partner notices how your vagina smells after having sex can ruin the mood and make any plans for cuddling extremely uncomfortable. The good thing here is that some odor after sex is completely normal.
Semen can have its own odor and since vaginal discharge and semen often mix during sex it can be hard to tell what you’re really smelling. If you notice a consistent and very strong odor after having sex, it could be time to consider other things, however. There are plenty of reasons your vagina may smell differently after you have sex.
If you’ve been curious or worried about how you smell after sex, then you are in the right place. Although you can always ask your doctor about any concerns you have regarding things like how your vagina smells it’s sometimes just as reassuring to know what could be going on before you head in. Here are a few reasons your vagina may smell after having sex.
You Have A New Sexual Partner
You may notice that your vagina smells different after having sex with a new partner. This isn’t uncommon. If you aren’t using a barrier like a condom while you’re having sex then you’re going to be introducing new fluids to your vagina during your encounter with your new partner. Just like each vagina is different, so is the semen of each new partner you might have.
A different partner’s semen can have a different Ph value or just smell differently than a partner you’ve had in the past. There’s nothing inherently wrong with any of those things, but it will change how your vagina smells after you have sex. The smell change should resolve itself after your body adjusts to having a new sexual partner.
Remember that your vagina does a great job of cleansing itself so you don’t need to do anything extra even if you notice an odor after sex with a new partner. Mild soap and warm water are enough.
If you continue to notice a strong smell or have other symptoms like burning and discharge after sleeping with someone new, it’s time to talk with your doctor to make sure there’s nothing else going on.
You May Have Bacterial Vaginosis
If you notice that your vagina continues to have a strong fishy odor even a day or two after you have sex, you may have BV aka Bacterial Vaginosis. BV is a common infection that women of all ages get. It isn’t an STI and is fairly easy to treat. You can visit your doctor to get antibiotics or you can try other methods if you’d prefer not to use antibiotics.
Many cases of BV can be treated with Boric Acid suppositories which you can easily find over the counter from companies like Veefresh. Remember that these suppositories are going to be inserted into your vagina so it’s good to trust the company you’re purchasing from and make sure you’re buying a reputable product.
Don’t be afraid to read reviews and any information the company has to offer about vaginal health and their product. You may have other questions they’ll be able to answer on their website, and it’s always great to be as comfortable as possible with anything you’re using to treat BV.
You Got Good And Sweaty
Sex is a workout and sometimes you get extra sweaty. If you’re noticing an odor after having extremely vigorous sex, it could just be sweat. It’s normal to get sweaty and you may not notice how sweaty you got until everything is over. A good rule of thumb is that if you’re sweaty in other areas you can assume you’re sweaty “down there” too.
Sweat just happens and there’s no need to worry about it. A shower after sex will likely cure the problem and it could make for a fun post-coital activity for you and your partner to enjoy together as well. Don’t jump to conclusions about bigger issues when a fun shower could be the only thing you need to take care of how your vagina is smelling after you finish having sex.
You Used A New Lube
Much like the new smell you might have after having a new partner, you may have a new smell when you use a new lube during sex too. Some lubes are more vagina friendly than others. If you notice that you smell bad after using a new lube check for reviews online. It’s likely others have had similar issues.
You can also try to avoid lubes that have ingredients like glycol, which can be an irritant to some people. You should also try to avoid flavored lubes getting too close to your vagina. Although they may be fun for oral activities, most of the flavored lubes have some type of sugary ingredient which can lead to yeast infections and less than pleasant smells.
It’s okay to try new things once in a while, just keep that in mind when you’re wondering about why your vagina might smell bad after having sex. Sometimes you might find that you have to stick with the tried and true to avoid unwanted side effects like bad smells when it comes to having sex.
You Might Have An STI
No one wants to think about having an STI but it does happen. If you’re noticing that you consistently have a very strong, bad odor after sex it’s time to visit your doctor. STIs like trichomoniasis can cause strong odors and they’ll need to be treated quickly.
It’s never a fun conversation but remember that your doctor wants to help you so it’s best to be honest. They aren’t there to judge you. If you think you have an STI remember that you need to avoid having sex until you’ve finished the course of treatment prescribed by your doctor. Otherwise, you could risk transmitting the STI to another person.
It’s important to remember that sex will naturally lead to your vagina smelling differently than it does on its own. Most of the causes are very normal and treatable. Remember that any concerns you have beyond what is easily addressed in information you can find online should be brought up with your doctor. Even if nothing is wrong, they can give you the reassurance you need.
Once you figure out why your vagina smells after having sex don’t stress about it anymore. Sex is supposed to be fun so enjoy it and remember that this is all normal. Don’t hesitate to invite your partner to have a quick shower or bath with you if you’re very self-conscious, but then get back to the fun stuff. It’s entirely worth it.
Sarah Nelson is a nurse with 15 years of experience working with a variety of patients. She has a Masters of Science in Nursing and has spent a large portion of her career working exclusively with women in an OB/GYN setting.
Nursing is a passion for Sarah but she also enjoys writing and sharing her expertise online with people who need helpful information. Treating patients well and helping them learn more about their own bodies is a key essential to a healthy lifestyle that Sarah truly believes in.