“If you are worried about the odour of your vulva
and vagina, and/or have symptoms such as itching,
burning, irritation, soreness, painful sex or painful…”.1
Umbrella
What may the Vagina Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- Vagina
- Vulvovaginal
- “Down Below/There”
- “Lady Parts”
- “Private Parts”
- “Privates”
- “Things That Go Wrong Down There”
- “Women’s Bits”
Definition
What is the vagina?
DotS the definition of the vagina may vary. The (United States) MedlinePlus’ definition is:
“The vagina is the female body part that connects the womb (uterus) and cervix to the outside of the body”.2
In Vagina: Information the MedlinePlus also explain:
Menstrual blood leaves the body through the vagina. The vagina also allows for sexual intercourse, and it is the passageway a baby goes through when it is born”.3
Vaginitis
What is vaginitis?
DotS the definition of vaginitis may vary. MedlinePlus’ definition is:
“Inflammation of the vagina is known as vaginitis”.4
Menopause Symptoms
What vaginal symptoms can menopause cause?
In Symptoms of Menopause: Bladder, Vaginal & Vulval Problems the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:
In Symptoms of Menopause: Bladder, Vaginal & Vulval Problems the JH also elaborate on:

- Vaginal lining
- Vulval skin
- Bladder
- Urethra (tube that leads from the bladder to the outside of the body)
- Pelvic floor muscles.
These changes are commonly known as vulvovaginal atrophy”.6
Vulvovaginal Atrophy
What are vulvovaginal atrophy symptoms?
In Vulvovaginal Atrophy the European Menopause and Andropause Society note:
- Irritation
- Burning
- Itching
- Chafing
- Discomfort
- Uncomfortable or even painful intercourse
- Passing urine more frequently
- More frequent urinary tract infections
- Greater discomfort with cervical smear tests”.7
Not Menopause
What types of vaginal discomfort are not directly related to menopause?
In Vaginal Discomfort: Discomfort Not Directly Related to Menopause the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) elaborate on:
- Vaginitis…
- Vaginismus…
- Urinary Tract Infections…”.8
The NAMS also note:
“Because vaginal discomfort can arise from so many different sources, persistent symptoms of dryness, irritation, burning, itchiness, or pain should be evaluated by a healthcare provider to determine their cause”.9
Odour
After menopause may vaginal odour change?
In Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Odour [+ Image] the JH elaborate on:
“After menopause, odour may change as the bacteria in the vagina also changes. The odour will be different compared to when you were still having periods”.10
Vaginal Health
What can women do to keep their vagina healthy?
In Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not – What Can I Do To Keep My Vagina Healthy? the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:
- Be sexually responsible…
- Get vaccinated…
- Do Kegel exercises…
- Know your medications…
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink and don’t smoke…”.11
Health Care Provider
What if I am unsure about what is going on down there?
If you are unsure about what is going on down there, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.
On page two in Vaginal Dryness: Treatment Options the NAMS explain:
“Notes: Vaginal and vulvar symptoms not related to menopause include yeast infections, allergic reactions, and certain skin conditions, so consult your healthcare professional if symptoms do not improve with treatment”.12
The JH also note:
“If you are worried about the odour of your vulva and vagina, and/or have symptoms such as itching, burning, irritation, soreness, painful sex or painful urination, see your doctor”.13
The Mayo Clinic explain:
- A change in the color, odor or amount of vaginal discharge
- Vaginal redness or itching
- Vaginal bleeding between periods, after sex or after menopause
- A mass or bulge in the vagina
- Pain during intercourse”.14
The Mayo Clinic also note:
“While not all vaginal problems can be prevented, regular checkups can help ensure that problems affecting the vagina are diagnosed as soon as possible. Don’t let embarrassment prevent you from talking to your health care provider about concerns you have about vaginal health”.15
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics related to Vagina?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Vagina?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.New or Updated
- 9 Tips To Keep Your Vagina and Vulva Healthy
- Are Probiotics Good for Vaginal Health?
- Australian and New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society: Patient Information About Vulval Diseases
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Caredownthere.com.au
- Consumer Health: Treating Vaginal Dryness After Menopause
- Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
- Disorders of the Vulva: Common Causes of Vulvar Pain, Burning, and Itching
- Effect of Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser vs Sham Treatment on Symptom Severity in Women With Postmenopausal Vaginal Symptoms A Randomized Clinical Trial
- Essential Information: See Your Doctor If
- Experiencing Vaginal Dryness? Here’s What You Need To Know
- Gyn Care 101: What To Know About Seeing A Gynecologist
- Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month [September, United States]
- Hormonal Health – Clues Made Clear
- How Do I Deal With Vaginal Atrophy? — Ask Dr Jean
- International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Diseases: Patient Handouts
- International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
- Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
- Labialibrary.org.au [Labia Library]
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing and Intimacy During and After Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Is the End of Your Sex Life]
- Looking After Yourself: Sex and Relationships
- Loss of Libido
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Treatment for Vaginal Dryness for Menopausal Women
- Menopause Patient Information: 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
- Menopause Ruining Your Sex Life?
- Menopause and Sex – Fact Sheet
- Mona Lisa Touch – Ask Dr Jean
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
- Natural Therapies & Supplements
- Navigating Menopause Together: How Partners Can Help
Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health
- Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: Guide To Sexual Health Providers
- Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: New! Sexual Anatomy 101
- Pelvic Exam
- Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
- Safety of Vaginal Estrogens: A Recap of A Systematic Review [Video]
- Sex & Intimacy After Cancer
- Sex and Menopause: Treatment for Symptoms
- Sexual Difficulties In The Menopause
- Sexual Health
- Sexual Health [Topics]
- Sexual Problems and the Menopause
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Supporting A Loved One Through Menopause
- Symptoms of Menopause
- The 2020 Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society
- The Health Issues We Don’t Like To Discuss
- The Vaginal Laser Therapy Versus Vaginal Estrogen Therapy: The VeLVET Trial
- Thrush
- Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Urogenital Problems
- Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
- Vagina
- Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not
- Vaginal & Vulval Pain: Know the Different Causes and When To Seek Help
- Vaginal Atrophy
- Vaginal Atrophy
- Vaginal Bleeding
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vaginal Cancer [+ Image]
- Vaginal Discharge
- Vaginal Diseases
- Vaginal Diseases – Multiply Languages
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It?
- Vaginal Dryness Alternative Treatments
- Vaginal Laser Therapy
- Vaginal Odor
- Vaginal Prolapse
- Vaginal Rejuvenation, Labiaplasty, and Other Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery
- Vaginal and Vulvar Cancers
- Vaginitis
- Vaginitis
- Video Series-2021: Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
- Video Series-2022: Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Health Care Professional
- Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
- Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: Vulvovaginal Atrophy
- Vulva & Vaginal Conditions
Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Management & Treatment [+Video]
- Vulva Pain
- Vulva and Vaginal Health: Getting the Right Advice
- Vulva, Vagina, Ovaries and Uterus
- Vulvovaginal Atrophy
- Vulvovaginal Health
- Vulvovaginal Pain Log
- Vulvovaginal Symptoms After the Menopause
- Webinars: Previous – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
- Webinars: Previous – VVA – The Silent Epidemic [Vulvovaginal Atrophy]
- Well-Woman Exams: Who Needs Them and What To Expect
- What Is Menopause?
- What Is Vaginal Steaming and Is It Safe?
- What’s Normal: What Is Normal Vulval & Vaginal Anatomy?
- Why You Should Never Douche
- You Need To Know [+ Video: Bleeding After the Menopause – An Important Message You Need To Know]
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Odour. Last Updated: 11 October 2022 | Last Reviewed: 09 April 2021. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/vulva-vaginal-irritation Accessed: 07 January 2023
- Vagina. Review Date: 04 November 2021. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002342.htm Accessed: 07 January 2023
- Vagina: Information. Review Date: 04 November 2021. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002342.htm Accessed: 07 January 2023
- Vagina: Information. Review Date:04 November 2021. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002342.htm Accessed: 07 January 2023
- Symptoms of Menopause: Bladder, Vaginal & Vulval Problems. Last Updated: 12 September 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-symptoms Accessed: 07 January 2023
- Symptoms of Menopause: Vulvovaginal Atrophy. Last Updated: 12 September 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-symptoms Accessed: 07 January 2023
- Vulvovaginal Atrophy. 2022. European Menopause and Andropause Society https://emas-online.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Vulvovaginal-atrophy.pdf Accessed: 07 January 2023
- Vaginal Discomfort: Discomfort Not Directly Related To Menopause. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/causes-of-sexual-problems/vaginal-discomfort Accessed: 07 January 2023
- Vaginal Discomfort: Discomfort Not Directly Related To Menopause. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/causes-of-sexual-problems/vaginal-discomfort Accessed: 07 January 2023
- Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Odour. Last Updated: 11 October 2022 | Last Reviewed: 09 April 2021. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/vulva-vaginal-irritation Accessed: 07 January 2023
- Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not – What Can I Do To Keep My Vagina Healthy? 06 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/vagina/art-20046562 Accessed: 07 January 2023
- Vaginal Dryness: Treatment Options. 2022:2. North America Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/for-women/mn-vaginal-dryness.pdf Accessed: 07 January 2023
- Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Odour. Last Updated: 11 October 2022 | Last Reviewed: 09 April 2021. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/vulva-vaginal-irritation Accessed: 07 January 2023
- Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not – What Are Signs or Symptoms of Vaginal Problems? 06 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/vagina/art-20046562 Accessed: 07 January 2023
- Vagina: What’s Typical, What’s Not – What Can I Do To Keep My Vagina Healthy? 06 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/vagina/art-20046562 Accessed: 07 January 2023