V-taste, fine dining between the sheets
As with vaginal smells, when it comes to taste, it's a subject often shrouded in mystery and misunderstanding. We’re unravelling the truth here in hopes of a better understanding and care for our own bodies and our intimates partner’s bodies.
As mentioned in the previous vagina series, a bad smell is often mistaken for a bad taste. Because a bad smell is often more pungent, it can immediately lead to the conclusion that the taste is bad, which isn’t necessarily the case. If a vagina really does tastes bad, it might have different origins than when it would smell bad. So get your facts straight before drawing conclusions!
What does “normal” taste like?
For starters, let’s talk about what a “normal” taste might be. Generally, many describe the taste of vaginal secretions as slightly tangy, musky, or even mildly sweet. This flavor can vary based on individual factors, but it’s important to remember that every body is unique! Factors like hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle can influence the taste, leading to variations in acidity and sweetness. So, what may taste one way one week might change the next!
Influences on the palette
Again, same as with vaginal smells, several elements can affect the taste of vaginas, often tied to lifestyle, diet and hygiene.
Diet plays a significant role in shaping flavor. What you eat can greatly influence bodily fluids. Foods like pineapple, citrus, cucumber and yogurt are often said to enhance sweetness, while garlic, asparagus, red meat and alcohol might contribute to a more pungent flavor. Smoking has also been shown to influence your vaginal taste. A general rule of thumb is that foods influencing the smell of your urine, will probably also influence the taste of your vagina. Additionally, staying well-hydrated is crucial; dehydration can lead to more concentrated secretions, which might alter taste. Aiming for sufficient water intake can keep everything balanced and pleasant.
I don’t know if we really need to repeat it at this point, but personal hygiene is everything! Regular washing with just water helps maintain a healthy balance of the natural flora. However, it’s essential to avoid douching, as it can disrupt the vagina’s natural ecosystem. And please please please, stay far away from all the hard soaps and invasive potions allegedly made to help you restore your balance and have you smelling like flowers. The restorative action needs to happen from the inside out, not the other way around.
As you might have guessed, regular health check-ups are another vital component. Certain bacterial infections (including STIs) or other health conditions can alter the taste significantly, so if something seems off, it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional.
Finally, hormonal changes play a notable role in taste variations. As mentioned earlier, fluctuations—especially during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause—can lead to noticeable differences.
Remedies for taste concerns
If you're curious about how to achieve a more appealing taste, there are several strategies to consider. First, think about dietary adjustments. Incorporating more fruits and probiotics into your meals can make a difference. Don’t forget to drink your water and toss those harsh intimate soaps in the garbage bin!
Wearing breathable clean underwear is also a life savior and preferable, don’t wear any at night. We all need some breathing space, and so needs your vulva.
Communicating with partners
Now that we’ve tackled the taste topic, let’s discuss how to communicate about it with intimate partners. Open and honest communication is key in any form of relationship, especially when it comes to matters of intimacy.
Normalize the conversation: Bring it up as casually as possible and don’t put too much weight on the timing of addressing the topic. It goes without saying that making an immediate comment once you start going down on someone isn’t the most tactful approach. But you also shouldn’t wait for the next romantic dinner in fancy restaurant to bring it up (you might’ve just spoiled the evening right there). In between brushing teeth or getting ready, you might want to start with a smooth opener like “I’ve known you for a while and today you tasted a little bit more different, where are you in your hormonal cycle or are you going to any hormonal changes at the moment?”. Or if it’s the first time you’re involved with someone new, you might approach this from the angle of opening a dialogue of sharing experiences. Every relationship (romantic or not) is entirely different, so there is really no 1 perfect question or fit-for-all oneliner. Want to open the conversation but feeling uneasy about the exact approach? You might just want to share this blog or parts of it with your partner and run through it together to see what might be up. If you want to talk about your specific situation and the way to approach the topic, I’m more than happy to assist in any way I can!
Share experiences: If you’ve noticed changes, share your experiences! Be honest about what you feel/taste and invite your partner to share their thoughts as well.
Discuss preferences: Everyone has different tastes and preferences. Encourage your partner to express what they enjoy and what they might find less appealing. You might drop very subtle hints and make it into some sort of fun game whereby you put this blog to the test and invite your partner to each much more of the foods mentioned above and compare if you notice any changes.
Be open to feedback: If your partner mentions a taste that concerns them, try to approach it without defensiveness. It’s hard not to take it as a harsh personal stab but your partner probably has your best interest at heart. Discuss it as a team and explore solutions together.
Reassure each other: Lastly, remind each other that bodies are natural and ever-changing. Emphasize love and acceptance, regardless of any temporary changes.