Men must accept vaginas should smell as women use dangerous methods to 'cleanse' themselves, warns gynecologist

'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'

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A Canadian gynecologist has spoken out to say that it’s perfectly normal for a vagina to have a smell and that men should accept this.

Dr Jen Gunter, who has become known for her no-nonsense approach to supposed health trends and regular criticisms of Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop, argues that if a woman’s male partner suggests she needs to use feminine hygiene products, she should stop seeing him.

“If you think you have a medical condition, see a doctor,” she says. “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.”

The gynaecologist spoke out in a blog post in response to the news that women are using Vicks VapoRub to “tingle and cleanse” their vaginas.

But multiple doctors have warned against the trend, explaining that creams and scented products can damage the delicate skin membrane on the vagina, increasing your risk of painful infections.

“The vagina needs no cleaning and the vulva needs very little,” Dr Gunter says.

“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.”

And she hopes to spread this message to both women and men.

The gynaecologist revealed how a former boyfriend of hers once “insinuated [her] vagina did not smell right.” She explained how he had multiple flaws but she didn’t really see it until that comment.

“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,” she says.

It’s much like men requesting their partners remove all their pubic hair - a control tactic.

Dr Gunter continues: “Fortunately I am an appropriately confident vagina expert and I had a light bulb moment and dumped his sorry ass.”