Gynaecologist urges women to accept the vagina’s natural scent

If it's not vaginal higlighter or  vaginal gitter, it's vaginal moisturising, and Canadian-based gynaecologist, Dr. Jen Gunter, has had enough.

In a blog post which was born of both professional and personal experience, Dr Gunter urges women to accept their vaginas – and most specifically, their smell – as they are.

Responding to a recent trend which sees women apply Vicks VapoRub to their genitals, Dr Gunter seeks to remind both women (and men) that the vagina does not require excessive cleaning, nor is the natural scent something to be gotten rid of.

"For what I am sure is the 100th time the vagina needs no cleaning and the vulva needs very little," Dr Gunter wrote. "I know the array of useless feminine washes and wipes at the drugstore and the drivel spouted by Gwyneth Paltrow via GOOP imply otherwise, but I’m the actual expert."

"If you think you have a medical condition, see a doctor. If your partner insinuates that an artificial smell is preferable to the smell of a normal vagina they are the one who has an issue."

"Telling women how they can be better is a classic way of tapping into body image issues and honestly in my personal opinion it is a form of abuse," she argued.

Dr Gunter then made the decision to move the focus from the professional to the personal by detailing her own issues with body image – insecurities born of a controlling ex-partner.

"I once dated a guy who insinuated my vagina did not smell right. He was an ass in other ways too, but I just didn’t see it until he impugned my vagina. For example, he though my hair would be better if it were straight. Sadly I took the bait, it wasn’t," she revealed.

"He thought I would look better if I dressed a certain way. Again I took the bait. I just felt worse."

"When it came around to telling me how my vagina could be better it finally clicked that this is a form of control that men often use. Fortunately I am an appropriately confident vagina expert and I had a light bulb moment and dumped his sorry ass," she finished.

So, there you have it ladies, Dr Gunter has spoken.