# What is the chemistry behind "vaginal odor"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 25, 2004, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-chemistry-behind-vaginal-odor/256834 "2004-07-25T19:26:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chairman\_Pow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Chairman\_Pow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chairman_Pow)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-chemistry-behind-vaginal-odor/256834/21 "2004-07-27T00:58:02Z")
> [@bizzwire](#): > > [This is the guy to ask](http://www.monell.org/Faculty/Staff/preti.htm) > > Seriously, George Preti is _the_ man when it comes to body odors. I wonder if that guy gets asked out a lot. Then again, he might be a lot of fun at parties. ---
**Author:** ![bizzwire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/958977/32.png) [@bizzwire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizzwire)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-chemistry-behind-vaginal-odor/256834/22 "2004-07-27T01:27:28Z")
> [@Chairman Pow](#): > > I wonder if that guy gets asked out a lot. Then again, he might be a lot of fun at parties. You’re close. I’ve heard from a reputable source that George is one of the few scientists who is regularly invited to give talks to groups like the Rotarians. Anyway, to answer the **OP** , I refer you to the following paper: Huggins, George P and George Preti. “Volatile Constituents of Human Vaginal Secretions.”\* American Journal of Obsterics and Gynacology\*, vol. **126** , pp. 129-136 I haven’t read the paper (I’m too afraid to order it) My work here is done…(wipes hands…strides off into the sunset) ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-chemistry-behind-vaginal-odor/256834/23 "2004-07-27T02:00:31Z")
If your loved one’s nether regions smell like sardines, take it from us who know: There’s a problem. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-chemistry-behind-vaginal-odor/256834/24 "2004-07-27T02:20:52Z")
Speaking as a guy, I find that if I work up the sweat during the day without changing my underwear, and then stick my hand down my crotch, and then sniff it – it smells like pussy, only less so. I think it’s just a generical, gender-inclusive “crotch smell.” ---
**Author:** ![arachnidlove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@arachnidlove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arachnidlove)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-chemistry-behind-vaginal-odor/256834/25 "2004-07-27T05:09:24Z")
> [@trublmakr](#): > > If your loved one’s nether regions smell like sardines, take it from us who know: There’s a problem. Thats what I was trying to say but he doesn’t seem to think so. A good healthy vagina has a slight scent of musk, NOT fish. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-chemistry-behind-vaginal-odor/256834/26 "2004-07-27T05:20:03Z")
> [@arachnidlove](#): > > A good healthy vagina has a slight scent of musk, NOT fish. I’ve always been partial to baby powder or Shalimar[sup]TM[/sup]. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-chemistry-behind-vaginal-odor/256834/27 "2004-07-27T05:36:04Z")
Another condition that can cause an odor- bacterial vaginosis. It’s not sexually transmitted and easily cured by antibiotics (the same one that kills trich, so you’re good both ways there). It’s caused by an imbalance of normal flora, so nothing to be ashamed of and a darn good reason to go to the doctor. Trust me on this- fishy odor equals not normal, k? ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-chemistry-behind-vaginal-odor/256834/28 "2004-07-27T13:11:04Z")
Speaking as a chemist, amines are the usual suspects when it comes to “fishy” smells. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-chemistry-behind-vaginal-odor/256834/29 "2004-07-27T13:19:53Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > I’ve always been partial to baby powder or Shalimar[sup]TM[/sup]. I thought the use of talc on the female genitalia was suspected to be linked to some kind of health risk… ---
**Author:** ![Achilles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dc4da7/32.png) [@Achilles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achilles)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-chemistry-behind-vaginal-odor/256834/30 "2004-07-27T13:34:59Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > I find that if I work up the sweat during the day without changing my underwear, and then stick my hand down my crotch… Yeah whatever, just put on a glove when your gonna shakes _my_ hand… 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-chemistry-behind-vaginal-odor/256834.md?page=1)