It was the official diet of 2018 and the keto diet's popularity doesn't appear to be waning in 2019. Recently the diet has been getting attention from women on forums and social media asking fellow female keto dieters if they are experiencing "Keto Crotch".

Average people and celebrities alike have touted the diet's benefits, which include quick weight loss and increased energy. As with most diets, the medical profession has warned of health concerns that include an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes, and many say that initially there are flu-like symptoms and loss of libido as the body adapts to low-carb lifestyle. But recently women have been voicing concerns about nasty odors in their nether region.

The basic premise of the diet is the consumption of extremely low-carb, high-fat foods. These foods adjust the body's metabolism and helps it turn fat into ketones, which the body uses as energy. Lisa De Fazio, a registered dietitian nutritionist explained to INSIDER "Foods change the pH of the body. When this happens, the body will emit certain odors. The keto diet [may] change your vaginal pH, which alters your vaginal odor — and it may not smell like roses."

A pH imbalance can stimulate "bad" bacteria growth, which De Fazion said may cause vaginal irritation, odor, and infections "A high-fat diet, particularly saturated fat like on the keto diet, increases vaginal pH, and therefore increasing the risk of bacterial vaginosis."

Best advice? Consult a doctor before starting any diet. If you're on the keto diet and experiencing negative, persistent symptoms schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Some of our favorite comments from Reddit threads:

"I have that not-so-fresh feeling. But it's not just my breath and my pits, it's also my crotch (read: vagina)."

"What I want to know is: Have any of you tried vegetarian keto and found a reduction in your funk factor, specifically below the belt?"

"HELP LADIES! Why do I smell down there!? PCOS/Keto Crotch? New here and to Keto."

"From a nurses's point of view: Please, for the love of god, do NOT stick yogurt up your vah-jay-jay. I know some magazines and whatnot said this is okay, it's not lol. Make an appointment with your gyno ASAP."

Interesting fact: the keto diet was developed to treat epilepsy patients who were not responsive to traditional medicine. The consumption of low-carb foods put the body into ketosis, a state that causes it to burns fat, not carbs.

Photo: BigStock

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