Dear doctor;

I tend to smell a lot after sex. But the same does not happen to some girls. Back in the campus days, I noticed that my roommates did not smell after sex, yet for me, I just tend to stink, sometimes even after a shower. What could be the problem? Alina.

Dear Alina,

At times one might smell  bad after sex just due to the smell of semen mixing with vaginal secretions inside the body. 

Poor personal hygiene, vaginal infections (bacterial, fungal or protozoal), are reasons for bad smell after sex. Tight panties, nylon underwear, damp underwear infection in the partner, poor hygiene during menses, are other factors which contribute to such body odours.

Try to improve personal hygiene particularly during menses. Always wear comfortable panties and that too of cotton. Assess your partner also for any infection. Unless you plan to become pregnant, ask the partner to use condom to prevent transmission of any infection. Pass urine after intercourse, this helps to flush  out any germs. Washing genitals after intercourse is also useful in this regard. Use of douches is also helpful. A complete course of a suitable anitibiotic helps to clear any infection and can prevent bad smell.