In an age where health is made to be more of a concern than it ever was before, just about everyone has tried some sort of fad diet at one time or another. Unfortunately, while they might help people shed the pounds rather quickly, they often come with some not-so-pleasant side effects - one of which is "keto crotch".
This delightful term takes its name from the diet that causes it: an eating regime championed by the likes of Gwenyth Paltrow and Jenna Jameson.
The keto diet requires followers to cut all carbs from their meals, instead replacing them with fats and proteins. In response to this, the body releases 'ketones' from the liver: chemicals that break down fat for energy. But ketones can have other impacts on the body... the vagina, in particular.
"The saying 'you are what you eat' holds true to odors coming from the vagina," said OB/GYN Dr. Sherry A. Ross in an interview with the Daily Mail.
As it turns out, the ketones that break down fats can cause pungent odours to come from the body - most noticeably in a person's breath or sweat, but also through their vagina. In this latter case, the smell is caused by a change in the pH of the vagina.
But, as Dr. Ross explains, there are plenty of foods that can affect the odour down there.
"Pungent foods and spices seem to take a fast lane in our bodies through the bloodstream, lungs, sweat, and vaginal secretions creating especially intense smells under arms, on the scalp, in the genital area…just about everywhere," she said. "Foods that may give off a notably offensive odor include garlic, onions, mint, turmeric, curry, blue cheese and other fermented foods, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and asparagus."
If you're worried about your own diet affecting you, thankfully there are some foods that can actually improve the odour. "These foods include fresh fruit, fruit juices, whole grains and Greek yogurt," according to Ross.
Not everybody will experience a change in odour on the keto diet, nor will everyone be equally affected by smelly foods. Luckily, Ross has some advice for those who want to know if they should expect a change in scent.
"If a food gives you foul-smelling urine, farts, or breath, chances are it will affect the taste and smell of your vagina," she said.
But if dietary changes are made and the smell persists, it could be something else.
"After a thorough examination of possible dietary changes, I would suggest seeing your healthcare provider to eliminate the possibility of vaginal infection."
As always, the best advice is to avoid fad diets as much as possible, and to eat a nutritional, balanced diet. If you notice a bad smell and you're doing everything you're supposed to in order to stay in good shape, you may want to visit a doctor to find out what's going on.
