Dr. Kate is an OB/GYN at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City who answers your medical questions here once a week. To ask her your own question, click here.
Hello Dr. Kate,
My question is about the taste of my vagina. Both from what my boyfriend has said/his reactions and my own taste-tests, I know that sometimes I taste of nothing and sometimes almost bitter (even after showering). Is this change due to hormones, or is it like with men where the foods you eat affect your taste? Thank you so much!
— (Would Rather Be) Tasteless
Dear Tasteless,
Every woman has a unique taste that changes based on many things. At different times in your cycle, your taste can change from sweet to salty to sour. When you’re aroused, or if you’re sweating (or both), the flavor can also be different. And certainly having an infection (yeast or vaginosis) can cause your taste to change.
It’s unclear if diet can really change the taste of vaginal secretions — unsurprisingly, it’s hard to get funding to do such research. But anecdotally, different foods in your diet can change how you taste. The foods I hear about most: raw garlic, citrus fruits (particularly pineapple), strawberries, coffee, and asparagus. Even alcohol, nicotine and vitamins have the potential to change your taste. Violet Blue goes into further details that she learned while researching her book on cunnilingus.
I’d love to hear about this from you all… Have any of you (or your partners) noticed a change in your vaginal taste? What do you think it’s due to?
— Dr. Kate
dear Dr. Kate
I’ve noticed that my vagina has a almost fizzy taste when I’ve done taste test in the past. my bf said it was very unusual. i had been drinking lots of red bull at the time because it gives u wings, that my maxi pads are lacking. i was wondering if the high amounts of ginseng might have something to do with it
The Doctor’s Response Was Helpful But Some Of The Comments Above We’re Ignorant AF!
my pussy is really very salty,but my ass is sour, my BF want me to sex with him altime
Still Don’t know how I came upon this while berating a corporate cunt and then this popped up.
Are you Soliciting Second Opinions ?
I will gladly Participate ?
All Joking Aside Sweetheart ya can’t stop the bacteria express especially the beneficial type so don’t sweat it and if he can’t deal with ya being natural LEAVE THE BASTARD.
PEACE
Doc I recently learned about a female way of climaxing which is called “squirting”. This is when a female reaches an organism and squirts out vaginal juices. After hearing about it from my long time BF, ive been wondering why it doesn’t happen to all women? My Bf is fasinated by it but I wonder if it disappoints him that I am unable to fulfil the task. Do you know of any advice or techniques that can help with this?
^ Yeah, it makes you bitter!! Aaaahahaha!! Get it…?
Does not having sex for about a month cause you to taste different?
I have been pregnant now for 4 1/2 months. My partner told me I was sour, but I don’t think it has anything to do with smoking or drinking. When I was smoking and drinking I was fine, in fact I was really sweet. During my pregnancy I have been eating quite healthily as well and havent been drinking or smoking for a while.I think I have thrush and I will be talking to my midwife about it but itt is normal and your pussy wasn’t made to be eaten so I guess if it doesn’t taste good for now too bad. And if you have been drinking beer, remember that beer contains yeast and also I don’t think smoking would affect your vag. Find a doctor you probably have thrush.
^ I doubt that a condom would make you taste/smell weird a week later. I think that’s your conscience playing tricks on you.
So, five days ago, i cheated on my boyfriend. (It was a HUGE mistake and i truely regret it now) But today I tasted myself and found that i tasted very bitter. Could it be from the condom? What can i do to get by pussy back to its normal taste? How long?
Hi, As of 2 weeks ago, I had a really bad smell (fishy and lots of discharge), and I just got tired of it. I came online, read alot of articles… I think I had either BV or a yeast infection. Not sure. But I took out most of the sugar I was eating in my diet, started preparing foods at home, but most importantly and what I think helped a lot was that I went to a good holistic grocery store that sold vitamins, and I bought 1) acidophilus (iflora women’s multi probiotic) 2) garlic (garlinase) 3) cranberry 500mg4) a women’s multivitamin new chapter women’s one daily 5) folic acid 6) B12 1000mg and 6)Folic Acid 400mcg
I started taking everything all at once at night right before going to sleep. And after a few days of doing this my smell started to go away. It even cleared up the really awful smell towards the end of my cycle. I also starting about a month and a half ago really increased my water intake to 6 to 8 cups of water a day from not really drinking water at all. Last but not least, I am pretty much dairy free, and all the supplements I am taking are gluten free/vegetarian.
On the downside some of the vitamins are pretty good. I’m willing to look past it though because the combination of everything has made me not have any bad/irregular/way too much discharge on top of the small going away. And I want to smell good for myself. And for any future partner I may have.
It’s made my self esteem really rise alot. I feel so much more healthy. Background, I’m not on the pill or any medications like antibiotics or anything, nor am I a doctor.
Just wanted to share what has worked for me, in such a short time.
Hi, everyone. Im surelly going to try all these tips you guys posted. I really feel my vagina tastes bad, like really bitter. When my boyfriend gives me oral I always kiss him after and he has this really strong, funny smell/taste. I’m starting to feel really self-conscious. I really want him to go down on me, as I can’t have an orgasm just by penetration, but I know I taste bad. I do smoke but I’m not ready to quit that. I’d try with the diet. Please keep posting!
I’m having bad yeast infections frequently what can I do to stop this? I also have bitter tasting white discharge which makes my vagina taste bitter whenever I receive oral sex. How can I change this?
a couple summers ago I was really into making a mixed fruit bowl everyday. I smelled very sweet. now it is sometimes sour smelling. I don’t douche, nor have a period due to birth control. I am going to try cutting out some foods or add more water and get into the fruit habit again.
Im having the same issue. Yesterday I decided to taste my own vag juice and it was salty sour something. so after reading all this, I decided to try few things
exercise regularly, less caffeine, no smoke, melon, pineapple, 100% pure cranberry juice, Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily with freshly squeezed lemon, plain fat free yogurt everyday, diet less in red meats, higher in veggies and fruits.
I’ll check again if there will be changes after one week.