Many people may already be aware that certain foods can affect how your body smells (hello garlic breath). But while we’re usually concerned with how food will affect our breath or sweat, we never really stop to think about how what we eat can affect our vagina. Certain foods can cause anything from a foul odor to a yeast infection, so it’s important to be aware of them to keep your reproductive system happy and healthy. Without further ado, I present to you seven surprising foods that can impact your vagina.
Alcohol
We all like to enjoy a drink or two every now and then. But those who already experience vaginal dryness may want to avoid going overboard, as it could make their condition worse. Alcohol can dry out the body, causing your body to stop producing adequate amounts of vaginal lubrication. It’s also important to note that chronic binge drinking can lead to issues with sexual drive and functioning, as well as sleep.
Sugary foods
Eating foods with a high sugar content may increase your risk of getting a yeast infection. Having too much sugar that your body can’t get rid of causes it to seep into the bloodstream, running throughout the body–and to your vagina. Yeast is attracted to warmth, moisture, and–you guessed it–sugar. So eating sugary foods, especially if you’re in a warm environment or just worked out and have damp clothes, can greatly increase your risk of having a yeast infection.
Onions
There are a couple of facts we already know about onions: they make you cry, and you shouldn’t eat them on a first date. But something we didn’t know? Many foods that cause bad breath can also give you an unpleasant vaginal odor. Eating the pungent vegetable may cause your urine to secrete the same bad odor. While eating a bit of onion probably won’t make too much of a difference, eating it in large quantities can negatively affect your vagina.
Asparagus
You may have heard that asparagus can affect the smell of your urine, and sometimes, even give it a greenish tint. But it can also temporarily affect the pH of your vagina, which in turn could cause an unpleasant odor. While it’s not terrible for your body to eat asparagus, you may want to avoid it if you’re concerned about your vagina’s smell or taste.
Broccoli
They’ve always told us to eat our broccoli, but they never explained that it would make our vaginas smell! Broccoli itself is generally considered a pretty stinky vegetable, so it may not be surprising that it can cause your vagina to emit a similar odor. And while you shouldn’t cut the nutritious vegetable out of your diet completely, you may want to skip your broccoli treat before a date night!
Fried foods
While having the occasional french fry won’t be too detrimental for your vaginal health, having too much of the fatty treat will be. In addition to causing an odor, eating fried foods or foods with a high fat content may cause bacterial vaginosis, a vaginal infection that can cause abnormal discharge, itching, and odor.
Cheese
Many people have issues with consuming dairy, but not many talk about the negative impact it can have on your vagina. Eating too much cheese may disrupt the bacteria in your vagina, throwing off your pH balance like many of the other foods on this list. If you love to have a daily cheesy snack, try pairing it with water or other foods that don’t negatively impact your vaginal pH. You can also try swapping your cheese out for yogurt, which is full of probiotics, or bacteria and yeast that’s actually good for your body.
While you don’t have to cut these foods out of your diet permanently, you should try to eat them in moderation for the overall health of your vagina. If you’re experiencing an unpleasant odor or uncomfortable vaginal sensations that won’t go away with a change in diet, you should speak to your doctor.
Sources:
https://www.health.com/sexual-health/best-foods-for-vagina
https://www.livestrong.com/article/466660-foods-that-cause-vaginal-odor/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/urine-color-and-odor-changes
https://www.health.com/yeast-infection/does-sugar-cause-yeast-infections
https://flo.health/menstrual-cycle/lifestyle/hygiene-and-beauty/improving-vaginal-odor
