It’s completely normal for your vagina to smell slightly different at different times. The scent changes with hormones, sweat, discharge, and the natural bacteria that protect your vaginal environment. After a workout, during your period, or on a warm day, the smell might be stronger – but that doesn’t mean something’s wrong.

A healthy vagina usually smells a little sour, like yogurt. If the smell suddenly becomes strong, fishy, or metallic, and comes with itching or discharge, it could mean an imbalance such as a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. That’s common and easy to treat.

Wash only with warm water, not soap or perfume, because that can disturb the natural balance. Choose cotton underwear and change daily so your skin can breathe.

3 Tips from Alma:

• • Your body has its own scent – and that’s perfectly okay.
• • Wash with warm water only, not soap
• • If something feels different, talk to a youth clinic.