Dr. Kate is an OB/GYN at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City and she answers your medical questions here every two weeks. To ask her your own question, click here.
Dear Dr. Kate,
I’ve read your post ”Why Does My Vagina Taste Bitter Sometimes?” Okay, so I do smoke and drink. If I stop drinking and smoking right now, how long will it take for that ”bitter taste” to go away?
— Little Miss Vice
Dear L.M.V.,
That’s a great question, to which I only have a lame answer. I don’t know for sure. It’s difficult to predict how quickly your body would respond to getting rid of the toxins in cigarettes — it may take a week, and it may take a whole menstrual cycle. But it should work at some point, and I enthusiastically applaud any efforts to quit smoking in particular. So know that you’re doing the best thing for your health, and a great thing for your vagina.
— Dr. Kate
Gynotalk
Dr. Kate is an OB/GYN at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City. She also lectures nationally on women’s health issues and conducts research on reproductive health. Check out more of her advice and ask her a question at Gynotalk.com.
