...to be annoyed that even women will say that lady parts "smell of fish"?

[puzzledbyadream]

Reading the scented SanPro thread and I noticed a woman saying that lady parts didn't smell nice because they smell fishy. Now unless you have a nasty case of Bacterial Vaginosis (easily sorted) then your lady parts do not smell of fish and it's weird to say they do. It sort of perpetuates this whole "vaginas are gross" thing imo.

As someone who owns a vagina and has also been up close and personal with other vaginas, I can quite happily confirm that they come in an array of colours, shapes and fragrances... and yes, sometimes that includes fishyness. (I'd describe it more as fresh prawns than full on rotting pilchards, but from the seafood menu nonetheless).

I definitely smell of garlic after eating garlic, I smell strongly of toffee just before my period and a bit fishy after eating fish. An ex who smoked heavily smelt quite smoky down there too. Maybe these strong smells cling to our hands and just transfer to our genitals through touch. I don't know. But I refute accusations that describing vaginas as fishy is misogynistic.

Gynae issues notwithstanding, however they come, they're absolutely fine.

I never thought I got asparagus pee until I ate some asparagus out of season and then it was really strong. I don't get it with fresh local asparagus, but apparently imported, tinned, frozen or otherwise preserved brings it on. Not sure what that is about.

I can definitely smell garlic on myself after I've eaten it.

Fish odour syndrome is a genetic condition, and horrible for the sufferer. :(
It's not just from the genitals.

I find I sometimes get a fishy smell when I've had lots of unprotected sex in one session. (Not a regular occurrence btw! I mean with long term lovers!)

YADNBU, op.
They get sweaty and smell a bit sometimes, just like any other part of the body.

I'm only here to say my pits do sometimes smell onion-y/garlic-y when I've eaten a lot - and I absolutely love it! I bathe every day of course but before I get in the bath I take a good sniff of my armpits to relish my natural scent and reflect on what the world must have smelled like before deodorant came in to play. It smells like a day of hard work!

My vag however, doesn't smell of fish. And if it did, it's not a smell I'd relish.

Genital sweat, after a full day of festering, can smell vaguely "fishy", regardless of gender. So if vagina smells of fish, then so does cock. On the other hand, women don't have to contend with generating ball sweat. Shit me but that can be nasty. I blame the recent vogue among men for tight boxers. I don't recall knackers whiffing as much in the 90s.

Good to see other posters have already stated that actually you can smell fishy and it does not mean that it is because you are unwashed or infected. ( i know someone with the disorder and it was very hard for her).
I second the food thing though, i also notice it when i've had fish or garlic.
I wouldn't say this about anyone or have anyone say it about me, well my dh wouldn't!
( except him as we often insult each other as fun. He would never say this to another woman though, or let a guy say this to insult one of his friends).

wibbly, thank you dear. It's rare which probably explains why I haven't heard of it. But it's MN, we mustn't forget about the odd person with unusual disorders Above all else!

Not so rare, maybe? Given that many here, including myself, would never have discussed this in RL it may not have been measured in that ever loving way medical records so love. I just don't fall into discussions about it, not because I am embarrassed but because it has always happened and so is just normal, nothing to worry about.

I have also suffered vaginal discharge (never want to go there again) and so can confirm that that too has a distinct odour. But that is not normal and does require medical attention.

Maybe those who have never experienced it also can't smell asparagus pee. That might explain the determined nature of some of the unbelieving posts.

If this is s problem (and there's no infection/ lack of hygiene) try cinnamon on your cereal/ coffee or even old fashioned cinnamon toast. Naturally neutralised whiffs.

Onions are terrible for coming out the next day.

Just to make it clear I agree that the fishy comments are misogynistic but offer the 'cinnamon cure' to those who are a bit shy about their bits just in case it can take some pressure off

Surely saying that vaginas smell fine because they don't have a scent is more misogynistic than saying that some healthy vaginas sometimes smell fishy but that's fine because we're all different?

Oh good God, who really cares. If any one of you on this thread is saying that your vulva never whiffs a bit and could do with a wash then I am calling LIAR.

Also, fish odour syndrome is something completely different!

Also, urine doesn't go anywhere near your vagina? Explain to me how you manage that then.

Vaginas DO have a slight fishy smell, even if clean and with no vaginal issues. Uncircumcised men can have a FAR greater unpleasant smell if they do not keep under their foreskin (and underneath it) scrupulously clean!! My partner is circumcised - thank goodness! One lady's comment on this, which said "cats don't follow me around so I must smell okay" cracked me up!!

My cat is mad for meat and cheese. He likes to smell shoes in particular. Not sure what that says about me.

Lweji what ? ( my cat likes peas

In general I don't have a fishy fanny but yep I detect a slight whiff after I've ate seafood! Same as garlic, alcohol, curry etc!
I always think other people's armpits smell of hot dogs and semen smells of bleach/Danish blue cheese
I have a keen sense of smell haha.

I ate fish the other night and had a good whiff but no, no sign of fish.