I smell like wet dog after giving birth

[Gonefishingforever]

I gave birth 5 months ago pretty much ever since the birth I’ve smelt so bad down bellow like fishy wet dog. I have to wash morning and night (only with water) and I still smell moments later. I’ve been to the doctor 3 times and had swabs that have all come back clear. They’ve checked my episiotomy too for infection. I’ve even been checked for stds and that was clear according to the nhs app. The doctors asked to see me tomorrow to discuss my results which has worried me although app says results are normal. I smell so strong even my husband can smell me we’ve not had sex because of it. Every morning I have to have a bath or shower help the smell and hate sitting next to anyone Incase they smell me has anyone had similar?

Have you had an antibiotic course for bacterial vaginosis? That smells fishy.

Hormones? They'll continue to wreak havoc until they've settled. I've recently become perimenopausal and I've started smelling for the first time in my life- it's so embarrassing!

no they swabbed for bacterial vaginosis and it was negative

I had this!
Doctors were baffled. Had loads of tests all came back clear.
I started taking some flora vitamins for women as a desperate measure and it sorted the problem
I now don't have to take them every day
But I'm not in a relationship so I'm less concerned but I deffo don't smell bad like before.
I start taking them as a precaution if I start dating/having sex

Did you have a c section? I had this and after two months they realised I had a womb infection and antibiotics made it stop

There’s no tampon stuck up there?

Nope don’t wear tampons and no c section

I would recommend a good probiotic, you can get them specifically for "intimate flora".
Also, try some of these, they're amazing, I've attached a picture.

Did they use any swabs? Anything that could have been left behind?

Good that you've been getting checked out. You can get pessaries for BV in Boots or Tesco, amazon. They're called balance activ.

Also vaginal probiotics https://amzn.eu/d/3zaWlyy

I know this sounds random but could you maybe consult Roseanna Grace women's physio? She's obviously a physio so you wouldn't necessarily think she would know but she is a goldmine of knowledge and has helped me so much with all sorts post partum. She does video appointments I believe so doesn't matter if not local
I hope you can get it sorted

Definitely try the treatments for BV, you can buy them on amazon.
For the best results use them daily for about a week, then every other day, then once a week etc.
Doctors assured me I didn't have BV but I treated myself for it anyway out of desperation and everything went back to normal.

Maybe because you’re only washing with water.

Are you breastfeeding??

use a mild soap/ vaginal wash. Water is not sufficient to wash your private/ bum area .

I thought it's that too. I've had BV and it's SO SMELLY 😭😂😂.

I was told by doctors to stop using soap to wash my bits with a couple of years ago when I had recurring thrush constantly I do occasionally have bubbles In the bath and use soap for the rest of my body. Nhs also advises no soap.

Yes no soap in the vagina. You need to wash the rest of the vulva and leg creases etc with more than water though.

Not to sound gross but could it be some flesh still stuck inside from baby? Like some clots further up? Have they looked inside

This! You need to use soap externally on your vulva and anal area.

I used BV pessaries after having similar and it sorted it out. Didn’t have BV (I don’t think) but obviously the Ph down there just wasn’t right. Same ones another user has referenced, Balance Active I think they’re called.

I would definitely reek if I only used water. You obviously don't jet soap up your vagina but you need to clean all the external bits properly. The INSIDE of the vagina is self cleaning, not the flaps!

Clearly I use a soapy flannel around my vagina and on the flaps not the inside the inside is where I smell and it’s very dischargy

Have you been checked for a womb infection?