(Courtesy: Shan Boodram/Instagram)
Certified sex educator Shan Boodram is apologizing for her take on the cause of irregular vaginal odour.
Boodram helps people on topics relating to sex, relationships, dating, self-love and sensuality.
In a recent Instagram post, she discussed deleting a reel that spoke about the cause of “stinky vaginas” which she said were likely caused by partner-related stress.
“More than likely they were the cause of the funk,” Boodram said.
She addressed that the video was blown out of proportion and misleading and acknowledged her tone and delivery was aggressive and accusatory.
She also said in the comments, “I coulda done just fine to say although there are more common causes like BV (bacterial vaginosis) and diet, a lesser known cause people should consider is partner-related stress that can cause an irregular odour.”
Boodram called it “baity-type of content” because she said she noticed how people were interacting in the comments which didn’t sit well with her.
“That’s just something that is tempting to do as a content creator and irresponsible as an educator,” she said.
The Brandon Gonez Show contacted Dr. Jess O’Reilly, Sexologist PhD and host of the Sex With Dr. Jess podcast, to ask her how vaginal odour can occur.
“Scent can change as your pH levels change; you don’t want to rid your body of scents, as they can be related to good bacteria that are required for health,” she said in an email statement.
She also listed normal changes to scent that may include:
- A slightly metallic scent around your period
- A sweet or bittersweet scent related to change in pH
- Changes to smell when you’re dehydrated
- Similar to body odour after you’ve worked out (from sweat) or if you’re stressed out
- Change of smell after sex (should resolve on its own)
She also said, “if you notice a fishy smell or changes to discharge (e.g. yellowish discharge), it could be a sign of an infection and to contact a healthcare provider.”
O’Reilly also said vaginal odour can resolve on its own and suggests practicing good hygiene by washing the exterior only because a vagina can naturally clean itself with its normal discharge.
