When eating particular foods, we usually think about what is good for our body or our energy levels, but we don’t usually pick a meal based on what it will do to our vaginal health.
However, there are a number of foods that can impact vaginal health, and this can be anything from causing a yeast infection or even some unwanted odour. It’s not exactly something you learn in nutrition class, but if you’re looking to keep your vaginal health intact, you’ll want to make sure you’re tweaking your lifestyle to make sure everything runs smoothly with your reproductive system.
“Diet affects everything, and the vagina follows the same rules of thumb as the rest of your body,” Dr Angela Jones, M.D., FACOG, tells Bustle. “Too much sugar — not a good thing. Too much alcohol — not a good thing.” Everything in moderation.
Some of these foods, especially the ones that just affect smell, are still healthy for you, which means you don’t want to cut them out completely. Just make sure you’re balancing them with other food groups. To keep your vaginal health in tip-top shape, pay attention to these nine surprising foods that can impact vaginal health, according to experts.
1. Alcohol
“While most of us enjoy a drink or two (or three), remember some of the detrimental effects of alcohol,” Jones says. “Other than hangovers, alcohol is very ‘drying.”’ And if your body is dry, Dr Jones says that this may have consequences for your vaginal health as well. “Not being adequately hydrated makes it harder for the vagina to produce adequate amounts of lubrication,” Jones says.
There’s nothing wrong with having a few drinks now and then, but it’s important to keep in mind that anything more than that can be potentially harmful. Chronic binge-alcohol drinking can also lead to problems with sexual functioning and drive as well as sleep, so talk to your doctor if this is an issue for you.
2. Sugary Foods
“Eating a lot of foods high in sugar may increase the likelihood of a woman acquiring a vaginal yeast infection in the right environment,” Christine Greves, MD, OB/GYN, tells Bustle. “Yeast absolutely loves sugar, warmth and moisture. Foods that are high in sugar […] can increase a woman’s risk for having that if the environment is warm and moist; for example, if [the person] does not change their workout bottoms after sweating at the gym for a few hours, [it could create this type of environment].”
In fact, it is for this very reason that people who have diabetes because of high blood sugar problems are more susceptible to contracting yeast infections, according to Women’s Health Magazine. While sugar is OK every once in a while (who can live without cupcakes?), be mindful that you’re not consuming so much that it’s affecting your health negatively.
3. Onions
Onions don’t just cause a bad oral odour. “Any food that can give you bad breath can cause vaginal odour,” Dr Nicole Scott, OB/GYN at IU Health, tells Bustle. Onions are one of the most common culprits. When you eat an onion, you excrete an onion smell in your urine, Dr Vanessa Cullins, vice president for external medical affairs at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, tells Teen Vogue. This is similar to what happens when you eat garlic. Though eating onions is not bad for your health, consuming too many too often can negatively affect your vaginal health.
4. Fried Foods
This doesn’t mean you should stop having French fries — but if you notice it’s causing a vaginal odour that is bothering you, be mindful. “High-fat diets and fatty foods (fried anything, many processed foods) have, in some studies, been associated with increased risk for bacterial vaginosis,” Sara Twogood, MD, FACOG, tells Bustle. Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection and is usually indicated by symptoms like thin, gray, green, or white discharge, fishy vaginal odour, vaginal itching, and burning during urination, according to the Mayo Clinic.
5. Refined Carbohydrates
Eating foods high in refined carbohydrates, including white bread, white rice, etc., can put you at risk for bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections, according to some research. These foods raise your blood sugar, which gives a prime environment for the bacteria to feed on. This is why people with diabetes that have blood sugar issues are more prone to yeast infections, according to the Mayo Clinic. Though it can be hard to avoid including these refined carbohydrates with your meals, it’s important to try to limit them as much as possible, especially if you have reoccurring yeast infections or other vaginal issues.
6.Coffee
This one’s going to hurt the coffee-drinkers. Coffee is one of the strong-smelling substances that can change the odour of your vagina because of the way it changes the smell of bodily fluids like sweat, according to Business Insider. This change in your body and pH can even make you more susceptible to getting a yeast infection. Caffeine can also trigger stress in some people, which could also leave you more susceptible to infection. For the people who can’t live without their morning coffee, you don’t have to quit or worry. If you drink coffee often and are worried about throwing off your vaginal pH, just be sure to balance your drinks with plenty of water throughout the day.
