Miss Ciara Joyce

My research examines how vaginal smell is culturally constructed and misunderstood to provide an insight into the complex relationships between female purity, power, and health. I am connecting contemporary discourses to historical practices, framing vaginal smell within the long-standing patriarchal shaping of the female body. By exploring early modern, modern, and contemporary sources, I trace the persistence of practices related to vaginal smell despite advancements in medical and social understanding. From fumigating the ‘matrix’ to treat a ‘wandering womb,’ to modern ‘yoni steaming’ for purification, these practices endure, despite their harmful effects. Using the concept of ‘deodorization,’ I explore why, despite a greater understanding of female anatomy, many continue these practices in pursuit of a ‘fresh’ scent. I also consider how vaginal smell has been imbued with cultural meanings, portraying the female body as both dangerous and erotic. 

Working in collaboration with the Folklore Society, I explore the intersection of smell, vaginal health, and concepts of sexual impurity. My academic journey began with a BA in History from the University of York, followed by an MA in Medical History and Humanities, also at York. Over the past five years, my research interests have developed in the social construction of bodies and corporeal gender. Currently, I am taking an interdisciplinary approach, grounding contemporary health folklore in historical traditions. In addition to my research, I volunteer at The Vagina Museum, where I contribute to promoting accessible sexual health information—a key motivation behind my research.