Everyone’s vagina smells and tastes different—and that’s okay. It can have a salty, metallic, or sour taste. It can also vary throughout the month due to your menstrual cycle.
Sweat can leave a salty or penny-like taste down there, as can trace amounts of blood during or after menstruation. A change in taste could also indicate a health issue or an infection.
Sweating
Your body produces sweat, and a little extra sweat in the crotch area is nothing to be embarrassed about. This is especially true if you’ve been exercising a lot or are experiencing high levels of stress. Sweat can give your vulva a salty taste and a slight sweaty smell, but it’s generally harmless.
The odor and taste of your vulva can also change depending on what you eat. If you’ve had a lot of garlic or spicy foods, your vulva may take on a stronger and less pleasant flavor. Drinking alcohol also makes your vulva sweat more and can add a hint of salt to the mix.
Aside from these factors, the taste and smell of your vulva is completely normal. It’s not uncommon to have a different tasting and smelling vulva at different times of the month due to hormone changes. However, if you notice that your vulva is taking on a strong, unpleasant flavor or smell, it could be an indication of a health issue, such as an infection. Talk to your doctor about it right away so they can assess the problem. The good news is that if you can get the source of the issue under control, your vulva will return to its natural smell and flavor. That’s a win-win, all around.
Hormones
If your vulva remains under multiple layers of clothing most of the day, it can start emitting a stale taste and smell. This is because the organ is damp most of the time and gets exposed to a variety of chemicals. It is also exposed to the bacterial microbiome, which can change its pH level. This is why it is important to keep the vagina clean and use a mild soap with water every time you wash your bits.
However, if you find that your vulva has a new and strange flavor or odor, it could be an indication of a problem. For instance, a metallic taste may be a sign of blood in the area. The same can be true for a strange or pungent odor, which may indicate a sexually transmitted disease or infection such as bacterial vaginosis.
Your diet can also influence the way your vulva smells and tastes. For example, asparagus can make your urine smell strong and give it a distinctive taste. Similarly, certain foods like curry can cause your sweat to smell and taste differently. If you have noticed any changes in your vulva, you should consult with your doctor, who may do a thorough examination and prescribe a treatment plan or medication accordingly. This may include changing your daily hygiene habits, taking antibacterial creams or tablets and doing smear tests.
Diet
While the smell and taste of one’s coochie may vary from person to person, there are certain foods that can impact how the vulva tastes (and smells). Some common culprits include garlic, asparagus, pineapple, and chili pepper. In some cases, consuming certain types of green vegetables like kale and spinach can help the vulva to retain its natural acidity and keep it from tasting sour or metallic.
In addition to eating the right things, women can also improve their vaginal hygiene by washing it frequently. It’s important to wash after every time you urinate and each time you sweat, as this helps prevent infections and bad odors.
When it comes to washing, it’s crucial to do so in a way that is gentle and respectful of the vulva. This means wiping from the front to the back, using odorless wipes, and not overdoing it with rubbing alcohol.
As for the sour, metallic, or wet chicken flavor that some women experience when they lick their pussy—it’s normal and typically caused by a yeast infection, which can be treated with boric acid suppositories. However, it’s also a result of the natural acidity of the vulva and trace amounts of menstrual blood that can sometimes be found in its nooks and crannies. For most, this unpleasant taste isn’t anything to worry about, as long as the vulva remains clean and free of infection.
Infections
Many women describe the taste of their vulva as a little salty or acidic, similar to pennies or metal. But, that’s completely normal and nothing to worry about. It’s also common to have a salty or sour taste after peeing, exercising, or sweating a lot. It’s even more normal to have a metallic taste the day after your period, due to the iron in your blood.
However, if you suddenly start to smell or taste something strange, it’s worth seeing your gynecologist. A change in odor can be an indication of infection, like a yeast or bacterial infection. These infections can wreak havoc on your body’s ecosystem, causing unpleasant scents and tastes. Infections may be accompanied by itching, redness, or unusual discharge.
Avoid feminine washes or sprays that claim to deodorize or mask your vulva’s natural aroma and taste. While those products might work for a while, they can upend your natural pH balance and encourage more bacteria to grow. Instead, drink plenty of water and try to eat foods that don’t produce strong odors, like asparagus or curry. Avoid fatty or greasy foods, and don’t overdo it with the coffee (it can change your pH balance and cause your urine to smell), or alcohol.
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