My vagina stinks

[timewarp6]

I can't live with it anymore, it smells horrible even 2 minutes after showering. I don't use soap down there and I don't have an STI. I have been treated for thrush and no change.

It's worse in the hot weather but I'm feeling self conscious all the time. I can smell it when I'm sitting down on the sofa. People say it's normal to have an odour but when does it become abnormal?

I can't even describe the smell - it isn't fishy but it's unpleasant

i’m genuinely astonished that people don’t wash their genitalia with anything but water.

Because they think the entire area between their legs is their vagina. Some people do have a problem with using things like body wash on their crotch, but the answer is to find something you can use, not just leave the area to fester.

Honestly, the things you learn on this page?! 😊
Hope you get your lady garden sorted 👍

I soap my bum and perineal area, and my pubes, but I don’t put soap anywhere near my vulva. I don’t smell.

Pick up a swab from your GP, you can do it at home and drop back in for them to send off. Takes a few days.

I have suffered with the same thing on and off for about a year. Balance Active works short term but I will definitely consider contacting my GP for an anti-biotic after reading some of these replies. It really gets you down I can sympathise with you OP

Sounds like bv to me. Definitely talk to the doctors about it, antibiotics could sort it.

God, I wash with anything that hasn't run out when in the shower (I'm looking at you kids and your use of a ridiculous amount of Lynx when showering)

I've used soap, shower gel, DH's shower gel, shampoo in an emergency! I didn't realise it was a no no!

Some women smell more than others, and it is normal to be able to smell your vagina while sitting down (though it shouldn’t smell foul).

I'm sure it isn't normal. I certainly can't smell mine, or anyone else's when I've been sitting close to them.

What's wrong with using soap to wash with? I've washed with soap or shower gel for years and never had thrush of BV. Maybe I'm lucky.

My sister has recurrent BV OP, sounds like what you have, she says it smells like something died up there :(
Pretty grim but very common

Agree with @Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow

I used to wash my foufou with soaps and shower gel. Properly upset the natural balance!

Just use water now and things are completely fine.*

• apart from a horrific case of thrush while pregnant - so bad they thought I might have herpes (!) but that resolved itself after my son was born.

Soap can disrupt the delicate flora in the vagina. It's best to just wash with water.

I could never just wash with water it would stink to high heaven. I have however left a tampon in for a few days and yes you could smell that when I sat down. After I'd been in the shower it still stunk and I was adamant I hadn't left one in.

If you can smell your vagina when you are sitting down then either you have BV, a yeast infection, a sexually transmitted disease or are simply not keeping yourself clean. Healthy and clean vaginas have a very faint sea-shell aroma, they shouldn't smell.

And as for Femfresh, the soothing probiotic one is very mild and doesn't bring my thrush on. The other types do. It's all trial and error but, please, you do need to wash your groin area with something or you will smell. No one's suggesting a douche or any washing of mucosal skin internally.

You’re meant to smell your fanny when your sitting down??

No fucking way! That’s gross

If you don't have anything to add apart from that horrible comment, why put anything???

I also just use water after upsetting my pH years ago

“and it is normal to be able to smell your vagina while sitting down”
No. No it isn’t. I’m horrified at this comment. Its not normal.
Nor is BV, but it’s common (apparently) so at least you’re not the only one and won’t be the last.
Get yeself down to boots and good luck.

u shouldnt be able to smell your vagina, a healthy clean (and not on period) one doesnt really smell of anything unless you're right in there giving oral, and even then it's not a strong or u pleasant smell.

a lot of people seem confused -you dont wash you vagina with soap, your vagina is the hole inside of you... you should however wash the vulva (labia, clitoris etc which is on the outside. they get sweaty, grim and will develop a smegma like substance like you find on a grubby penis not envy..

Trichomoniasis smells like somethings died up your foof, it also comes with a frothy discharge. Or, BV can be whiffy too. Canesten do a BV test you can buy online.

I've had BV as well. It's awful.

Don't use soap down there. I know it's hard when there is a smell and you feel awful, but it'll just make it worse. Water is all that is needed.

You have 2 choices in regards to treatment. Metronidazole - a prescription antibiotic. Or balance activ - pessaries which can be bought from tesco, boots etc. You insert them before bed, for 7 nights and it gets rid of it. That's what I've always used.

it is normal to be able to smell your vagina while sitting down

This NOT normal. At all.

And if you do not use a plain soap, sanex gel (very mild) or some other gentle cleanser (must be very mild) on your vulva then you probably will smell. You do not need to use anything on your vagina (inside) but defintely wash the outside properly for goodness sake! Grossed out that people swill a bit with water and think they are clean.

You can get a gel for BV over the counter and can clear it up in a day.

OP, see a gynecologist. It could be BV or something else.

Also, some people use soap and it's fine, others can't because their privates are too sensitive and that's fine too.

BTW If you can smell your own vagina while sitting but it's not foul, you probably just have a good sense of smell. If it it foul then obviously that's not great. Could be hygiene related or an infection or something else.

Healthy and clean vaginas have a very faint sea-shell aroma thank you for this lovely olfactory image!

When I had BV it went on for over a year. This was pre internet so couldn't look it up and I was just so embarrassed that I didn't seek help, I had no idea what it was.

There was no abnormal discharge, I just stank! No amount of washing made a damn bit of difference, I absolutely honked 30 secs after getting out of the shower.

What prompted me to finally get a diagnosis was that I met my (now) husband and I was so ashamed and horrified about the smell and having sex etc. Anyway you will definitely need anti biotics and I promise you it will be sorted in a week! The relief will be immense. Just call your doctor!

I would also emphatically argue that no, you should not be able to smell your vagina under normal circumstances, unless you haven't showered in days!

I also wash with soap, shower gel, femfresh, shampoo (gasp!) and have never had another reoccurrence of BV or any issue for that matter. I couldn't just rinse it off with water, it needs a good scrub imo!

I had this, turned out it was a tampon stuck up there for weeks. I was totally traumatised when I realised.