The Chief Executive Officer of Chartman Herbal Center, Dr Charity Twumasi Ankrah, has advised women to prioritise personal care after childbirth, warning that neglecting hygiene and health could affect intimacy in marriage.

She made the remarks during a discussion on the Let’s Talk show on Joy Prime, where a married man’s loss of interest in sex with his wife due to vaginal odour sparked the conversation.

According to Dr Ankrah, many women tend to pay more attention to their children after birth and forget to care for themselves. She stressed the importance of self-development, saying, “Hygienically, mentally, spiritually, physically, healthwise, you have to work on yourself.”

She explained that vaginal odour could be caused by postpartum bleeding that is not cleaned properly, infections and hormonal changes.

Dr Ankrah also cautioned women against using certain products to tighten or clean the vagina. She said, “When you begin to drink these things and begin to insert these things, you automatically eliminate all these good bacteria that protect the vagina.”

She added that the vagina is designed to open and close naturally, and encouraged women to understand their bodies in order to detect any changes early. “Know your bodies, know your scent,” she advised.

Dr Ankrah further offered support to women dealing with such conditions, saying, “I would love to treat it.” She also recommended healthy eating, including fruits and vegetables, and drinking enough water to help balance hormones and improve overall health.