Vaginas come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. They can also have their own natural variations in scent and taste.
But what exactly is “normal?”
While media and hygiene companies and even close friends may have you thinking that you or your partner should smell and taste “sweet” or “like roses,” I’m here to tell you that’s not the case.
So if you’ve ever wondered “does my pussy taste good?” or you’re about to go down on a girl for the first time and you want an idea of what to expect, read on.
What Does Pussy Taste Like?
The long and short of it is this: a pussy tastes like a pussy.
But that’s not the answer you’re looking for, is it?
So here are a few general taste profiles you might notice when going down on your girl.
Metallic
When you really think about it, vaginas are pretty incredible.
Vaginas are self-cleaning organs, which means they maintain themselves. Interruption of that process (like with douching) can cause many issues, including bacterial overgrowth and discomfort.
So what does all of that have to do with the metallic taste that’s often associated with vaginas?
Well, vaginas are naturally acidic. This enables them to maintain a healthy environment with a balance of good bacteria.
This acidity, though, can translate to a harsh taste. Many people describe it as metallic or penny-like.
Another, more obvious, reason the vagina may have a metallic taste has to do with the menstrual cycle. If a woman has recently come off her period, there may be leftover blood in the vaginal canal. This can also lend itself to a metallic taste due to the high iron content of the blood.
Salty
If your partner has recently exercised, or if it’s a hot day, you may notice a saltier flavor when you go down on her. This is likely attributed to sweat which has a high sodium content.
Sour
While more recent traces of sweat can leave behind a salty taste, old sweat quickly mingles with dead skin cells and other gunk to create a sour flavor. While this is technically natural – after all, there are lots of folds down there! – it’s not very pleasant for the partner who’s going down.
What Shouldn’t a Pussy Taste Like?
We’ve covered the three main “taste profiles” of a healthy vagina. So what should a pussy not taste like then?
Roses
Alright, I think we all know that a vagina should never naturally smell and taste like roses. Right?
Hygiene companies might have you second-guessing yourself and thinking otherwise. After all, why else are there flower-scented vaginal douches and washes?
I’m here to tell you that your vagina – or that of your partner – is never meant to smell or taste like a spring meadow.
Bodies have natural odors. While we can minimize them by following safe hygiene practices, we can never change our chemistry. To do so with douches or washes can have negative effects, including yeast infections and UTIs.
Fish
When we think of an objectively foul vaginal odor and taste, we often think of fish. Why? Because we know on many levels that the human body is not meant to smell outright foul. If it does, it’s often an indication of a larger issue.
If your partner has a fishy odor and taste, bring it up with her gently. This is nothing to be ashamed of, but she is likely to feel self-conscious about it regardless.
If you catch an unpleasant whiff, try to keep your face neutral and address it matter-of-factly.
It’s hard to broach the subject with a new partner, but if it’s truly a medical issue then she’ll likely be grateful you brought it up. Remember, we easily become nose-blind to our own smells.
If she’s a long-term partner and you’ve only recently noticed the smell, say something like, “I’ve noticed recently that your vaginal smell has changed. I think you should speak with your gynecologist just to ensure it’s not a bacterial infection or pH imbalance.”
Can the Taste of a Vagina Change?
The taste of a vagina can change from day to day, week to week, month to month, and even year to year. This is because the taste is dependent on many factors, including where a woman is in her cycle, what she’s recently eaten, or what she’s recently done (e.g. exercised) or not done (e.g. washed).
The taste will also likely change as you age. This is due to changing hormone levels in your body which are a natural part of pre-menopause and menopause.
Tips for Keeping Your Vagina Clean and Fresh
There are plenty of healthy and safe things you can do to make your pussy taste good. Here’s a sampling.
Wash With Soap (Outside) and Water (Inside)
As mentioned previously, the vagina is a self-cleaning organ. And it’s actually really good at it, too! This is why soap is never necessary inside the vagina or even within the lips.
So how do you clean your nether regions correctly?
Well, you can use gentle soap on the outside areas like the groin and the outer lips. This will remove sweat buildup and any funky smells. You can also use a small bit of soap on the vulva by spreading the lips and gently rubbing it around with a washcloth. This helps to remove any urine or menstrual cycle buildup.
The key here is to rinse really well, or you may cause irritation to your urethra.
As you get closer to the vaginal opening, you’ll want to stick with water only. Use another washcloth that’s dampened with water and gently wipe the folds from front to back.
You should clean your vulva once or twice per day, plus before any sexual interactions for best results.
Eat a Clean(er) Diet
Did you know your diet has an impact on your natural scent? Yes, too much of certain foods can add a certain… aroma to your scent.
That’s not always a bad thing. For example, eating pineapple can make you smell and taste sweeter. But many dietary choices can make your smell and taste objectively unappealing.
What are the biggest culprits?
Asparagus and garlic are two of the worst offenders. These are excreted through your sweat and urine. Red meat is another problem for some people. It often results in a “gamier” scent.
This doesn’t mean you have to avoid these foods altogether.
If you have a date planned, stop eating them 48 to 72 hours beforehand. But if you’ve eaten these foods recently, that doesn’t mean you have to avoid an encounter. Just spend a bit more time cleaning the area and you should be good to go.
Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol
If you want a healthier lifestyle, then cutting tobacco entirely and cutting back on alcohol consumption are typically the first steps to take. But did you know that cutting out tobacco and alcohol can also improve your sex life?
Similar to asparagus and garlic, tobacco (nicotine, really) and alcohol are excreted through your sweat and urine. This can leave your nether regions with a sour or stale smell and taste.
If you’re a heavy smoker or drinker, then cutting back for 48 to 72 hours is not likely to do much for the smell and taste. It’s also probably not physically possible for you to do since withdrawals are a very real thing.
The best step is to quit entirely. Speak with your doctor if you’re ready to learn about the many resources available to you.
Take Probiotics
Bacteria plays an important role in the human body. When the bad bacteria begin to outweigh the good bacteria, it can cause many issues.
One way to prevent the bad bacteria from multiplying is to eat foods (e.g. sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir) high in both prebiotics and probiotics.
If you’re not good about adding probiotics to your diet, though, there are probiotic supplements you can take.
Probiotics are even more important if you are currently taking, or have recently taken, a course of antibiotics. While antibiotics are good for treating bacterial infections, they kill bacteria indiscriminately. This means that both bad and good bacteria are removed from your digestive and urinary tracts.
Just be sure to ask your doctor about timing, as taking probiotics at the same exact time you take your antibiotics may make the antibiotics less effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have more questions about vaginal taste? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions on the topic.
How do I tell my partner that she tastes bad?
First, evaluate whether she objectively tastes bad, or she just has a taste that you don’t prefer. The former may be something that can be addressed with lifestyle changes or proper medical attention. The latter is unlikely to be changed, at least in a healthy way.
How do I know if I taste good to my partners?
Ask them! Really, it’s that simple. You can do it playfully during oral sex, but it’s best to ask them after the fact if you want a direct answer.
My partner says my pussy tastes bad. Should I try douching?
Vaginal douching is never, ever a good idea. While it may temporarily remove “bad” odors and tastes, it also throws the complex ecosystem within your vagina out of whack.
Now if your partner is telling you your pussy tastes bad, it never hurts to get evaluated by a gynecologist. They can rule out things like STDs or yeast infections.
Just keep in mind that some partners aren’t mature enough to recognize the difference between natural and bad. So it never hurts to act on that feedback, but it very well could be that your partner just simply isn’t cultured enough to appreciate your taste.
Conclusion
Your or your partner’s natural scent and flavor are all their own. A healthy, natural scent and taste will vary from woman to woman, and it can even change over time.
If you’re worried about your taste, then speak with your doctor. But as long as you lead a relatively healthy lifestyle and follow safe hygiene practices, your scent and taste variation is likely to fall on the spectrum of what’s considered “normal.”