Really embarrassing smell after eating fish

[Thatwaslulu]

OK I'm typing this with my fingers metaphorically covering my face in embarrassment. I.have noticed recently that after I eat fish, I smell fishy down below. It isn't BV, thrush or anything like that, and it goes after a day or so. But for that period, it smells like the Tesco fish counter! I am obsessively clean and use Femfresh to ensure my ph levels aren'the affected, and it never happens unless I eat seafood. Its noticeable too - my husband quietly mentions it when it happens (in a kind, non judgey way just to alert me.in case I didn't know). Am I a freak?

Not sure if it's relevant but I had bariatric surgery (sleevectomy) 4 years ago and it has only happened since this surgery so I wondered if it was how my digestive system now worked? Anyone else in this situation and do I have to give up the seafood?

[sadie9]

Think this could be a genetic condition called trimethylaminuria. Or maybe indeed your surgery caused some change in your digestive processes, but maybe someone else knows something about that.
Answer is to avoid the foods that cause it. See the link here www.nhs.uk/conditions/trimethylaminuria/Pages/Introduction.aspx
best of luck with it.

[SallyVating]

I get the same thing. Cod is the worst. I don't know why but yep it is horrendously embarrassing

[Thatwaslulu]

Thanks for the replies! I'm so glad I'm not the only one. I do love fish and I am sad at the thought of giving it up, but it is definitely looking likely.

[SallyVating]

Forgot to add. I've not had bariatric surgery but I have had big chunks of my stomach and intestines removed. Nearly sure I had the same issue before though.

[Shurelyshomemistake]

It's not Trimethylaminuria, OP, that is a serious condition and not sporadic and associated with eating just fish. It's from eating nitrogen-containing compounds more generally - not just fish.

I get this too, OP. Horrible, and have had to stop eating cod pretty much. Prawns, mackerel, etc, fine. Cod, really not fine. What's with the cod?!?!?!

[Chewbecca]

I get this too. Haven't had any stomach issues or surgery. Happens to my mum too. I don't actually know if anyone else can notice it but I certainly can.

Salmon doesn't do it to me so I don't shy away from that but I would tend to avoid cod and prawns if I have something big on the next day.

Thinking about it, I had plaice on Friday but didn't notice anything.

[salsiverdi]

I get this too, I now just avoid fish completely.

[Thatwaslulu]

Yes, cod is the big one, but also prawns and mackerel for me. Haven't noticed it after eating salmon or mussels.

[dottie47]

I have the same problem with eating Fish, I can smell it vaginally and it is very irritating. Should I stop eating Fish??

[Newmumnewme]

I believe it could be a hormonal Imbalance, as i developed this problem after giving birth to my daughter almost 3 years ago( i was induced and it was an assisted birth plus I had reparative surgery immediately after). Then 9 months later my period came back and the problem disappeared. I stopped breast feeding when she was 30months and ever since then the problem has arrived again, even just a fillet a fish from mc d's does it. I am hoping once 9 months pass it will stop again.

[SweetBabyCheeses99]

I presume that you’re just not digesting the fish properly and it’s coming out in your poo/wee? It can’t be your vagina surely? Perhaps this happens with other foods too but fish is just by far the most noticeable smell?

[LDJ000]

Hi Ladies (and gents if you are in attendance), this fishy smell is something that my grandmother, mother and me have all experienced after eating fish and yes some fish create a more pronounced smell than others. Doesn’t last more than 24hours but yeah, not ideal. My grandmother used to say it was the protein in the fish that tainted your urine and skin around the vagina. I really don’t think it is anything to worry about and after reading up on Trimethylaminuria it may just be that your gut bacteria cannot deal with Trimethylamine and the conversion in the liver does not take place when eating fish. My husband caught a lobster and we enjoyed a delicious meal
of it but my God 😱 - afterwards the smell was so bloody strong from that lobster that I wonder if I will bother again. Crustaceans seem to be the worst. I have made a joke of it with my husband and we can have a laugh, my mum did the same with dad so best you keep enjoying fish and have a laugh with your respective partner as I guess the benefits of fish to your body are worth it , and just keep those legs crossed in company ladies 😜.

[Maamyof593]

My husband makes a joke of.it with me he says he just needs the salt and vinegar then his tea is sorted or he will shout in having fish tonight as its not going away and I'm not giving up.cod.only fish I eat lol

[Wildatlantic]

Same here, and I have lactose intolerance and gallstones, so I guess its linked with digesting foods. Tuna and salmon no problem, cod and prawns, yeuch.....