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Original poster

TMI warning! What is causing this discharge and smell?

50 replies

FlyMCA · 31/05/2020 19:50

Over the last 6 months (maybe slightly longer, 8 months?) I've started to notice a foul odour coming from ahem, down below Blush and it's particularly bad in the 7 to 10 days after my period, though its deffinatley noticable the rest of the time. It's so bad I can smell it through knickers and Jean's at least 3 days each month. Accompanying the smell, as if it wasn't bad enough alone, is a weird, stringy (similar texture to when you ovulate, except thicker and stretchier), slightly yellow discharge. Sometimes its tinged with blood.

Admittedly I didn't call the dr. immediately but I did get those Cranston tests which check for BV and thrush, but it came back negative. I phoned the dr, and after a telephone appointment I was prescribed treatment for thrush again which hasn't made a bit of difference. I'm spending most mornings on hold to the drs only to find out they have no appointments left and as it's not an emergency theres not much they can do apparently. Any one care to hazard a guess what may be wrong so I can try to rectify it, it's rather unpleasant though does help with social distancing, I'm sure people are giving me an extra wide birth in the supermarkets at the moment Blush

OP posts:
Original poster
FlyMCA · 31/05/2020 19:51

Apologies for all the typos... new phone and big thumbs

OP posts:
SarahTancredi · 31/05/2020 19:52

Any chance you could have a tampon left behind that's causing the smell?

borntohula · 31/05/2020 19:55

I second the tampon suggestion. I know from personal experience how gross that is.

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HavelockVetinari · 31/05/2020 19:55

That's concerning - does your GP surgery have Patient Access (most do these days)? If so register and get an access code from them, you'll be able to book an appt online.

Can you get a telephone consultation?

Elouera · 31/05/2020 19:55

An STI? When did you last have a full screening done?

HavelockVetinari · 31/05/2020 19:55

@SarahTancredi

Any chance you could have a tampon left behind that's causing the smell?
This sounds v likely
Original poster
FlyMCA · 31/05/2020 19:55

It's been six months or so.. would I not be dead from TSS if I had Blush
I've rummaged around up their a fair few times and I cant find anything

OP posts:
Ohnoherewego62 · 31/05/2020 19:56

If it's got a horrible smell and discharge, it definitely sounds like BV.

Ask your GP for a swab kit and go from there. Sounds like BV absolutely with the timing of it too. Any time I've had it, was around ovulation or time of the month.

borntohula · 31/05/2020 20:01

Fly, TSS is really rare (I googled extensively after my own forgotten tampon experience). Maybe suggest it as a possibility to your GP. Perhaps it will prompt them to check you out at least? Not sure how anything works atm.

SarahTancredi · 31/05/2020 20:02

Its incredible fly the gymnastics they can do in there Blush theres apparently some weird pouch they can disappear into as well as somehow ending up horizontal across the top or even upside down it's like the Bermuda triangle Hmm.

gamerchick · 31/05/2020 20:09

Personally I'd go to a GUM clinic when possible. Its their area. They'll be able to help you.

borntohula · 31/05/2020 20:11

@SarahTancredi ugh I feel blessed that I could 'reach' mine. I seriously thought I had some sort of deadly infection, it was that vile.

Original poster
FlyMCA · 31/05/2020 20:19

Suppose it is a possibility that theres a rogue tampon left in there.. how do I get it out?! I've felt around a couple of times but I cant feel a thing. Not sure its something I feel able to ask DHs assistance with.. we don't have much of a sex life anymore and a whiff down below right now will certainly kill off what's left of it Blush

STI test was probably when I was pregnant, so a couple of years ago. Was all clear.
The caneston tests came back clear for BV, are they a bit unreliable? I was under the impression BV was a fishy smell, I wouldn't say this is fishy just really dirty?
I think I'm going to have to persevere with the drs Sad

OP posts:
PersephoneandHades · 31/05/2020 20:22

Do everything you can to get a medical appointment, it is unacceptable that you aren’t being seen with symptoms like this considering that foul smell can be caused by tumours, cysts, internal infections, etc. All of the above rely on early diagnosis for the best treatment.

I’m not trying to scare you it is probably not something that serious but at the best of times doctors do not take women’s health seriously so during a pandemic I’m sure a lot of women are going to be let down and go undiagnosed.

I also suggest Patient Access, do you have this? Or a local GUM clinic? Can you do a phone consultation at least? It is probably worth doing a second STI test kit again in case the first one had false negatives or the samples got tainted.

mindutopia · 31/05/2020 20:25

I would assume it’s BV. I work in sexual health and I wouldn’t trust the over the counter BV/thrush tests. They generally tend to test for thrush and everything else or the opposite so it’s really hard to know what’s really going on. You can get treatment by online prescription (Superdrug is easiest). Just say your only symptom is an odour and they should prescribe online.
If that doesn’t sort it, then I’d get a full STI screen. You can also do that online, just to be sure.

borntohula · 31/05/2020 20:28

OP, that's why I thought you could maybe suggest to your GP that you may have left a tampon in. If nothing else, they surely have to check? 'Dirty' is exactly how I would describe the smell. If it's not an STI, BV or thrush (which doesn't really smell of anything much ime) you need to get it checked out, just in case.

MissSmiley · 31/05/2020 20:33

It doesn't have to be a whole tampon just a tiny part of one, and it could easily have been there for months

Original poster
FlyMCA · 31/05/2020 20:36

Mindutopia, is it ok to use superdrug to get a prescription online for BV? I did consider this but wasn't sure if it would be ok given I dont know for sure if it is BV?
I'll try get an appointment again tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath.
I know the GP do have an online appointment system, but in order to use it you have to have an appointment and ask the GP to register you... so it's totally useless cause I cant get an appointment in the first place

OP posts:
Hmpher · 31/05/2020 20:45

I once had an awful smell and was given antibiotics without being seen as the doctor said it sounded like an infection. She asked whether the smell was fishy and it wasn’t at all, the only way I could describe it was meaty. Like rotten meat! The GP seemed a bit surprised at the description but still thought that was the most likely thing.

Neveranynamesleft · 31/05/2020 20:46

Try something like Balance Active, packs of 7 gels, available in supermarkets, Tesco etc.

suzeb · 31/05/2020 20:47

I had a tampon stuck for a month and the symptoms were as you are describing? Hope you get this resolved xxx

ElectricTonight · 31/05/2020 20:51

I have had BV in the past and it wasn't a fish smell either more like a dead animal that's been in the sun all day smell Blush🤢I used the gels previous poster suggested and it did resolve the problem. However yellow and blood with the smell sounds like it needs checking. If it's not BV, not a tampon then I'd definitely get a full STD check done.

I hope things get sorted for you OP x

SparklingIsolation · 31/05/2020 20:57

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the request of the OP.

Doggodogington · 31/05/2020 20:58

A tampon left behind may be the cause of it was a one off but if it’s every month then I’d say it wasn’t that’s I think only a proper swab will tell you what going on. Could just be remains of your period that hasn’t washed out.

frumpety · 31/05/2020 21:06

When did you last have a smear test ?