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

Either the op has scarpered or she’s off giving her under carriage a good wash with soap and water,,,🤣

Your vulva definitely needs thorough washing with very mild soap, especially the folds around the clitoris. Smegma is greasy which is not removed with just water. It's the smegma which stinks if you don't wash properly, just like a blokes cheesy knob . The entrance to the vagina itself is very delicate though so don't use soap there. Really can't believe this needs spelling out. If women are only rinsing their entire vulva with just water they must be pretty smeggy. I pity their smear test nurses

You need to establish if the smell is actually coming from inside your vagina (BV) or just the outside bits. (Poor hygiene, thrush, fungal infection.) Do a test with clean fingers. Sorry. < not envy

@Dontstandsoclosetome ( topical name btw ) I'm talking scallops rather than conch shells, they stink. 😃

Do you actually open your lips and clean inside there?

Inside your inner labia? No I definitely would not use soap in there that's the entrance to the vagina.

Mons pubis, outer labia, perineum, inner thighs, the fold between your outer and inner labia - I clean all of that area with soap. I've never in my life had thrush, BV or any irritation or smell down there.

wash everything you can reach without going inside the hole..

Much quicker way of what I just said

wash everything you can reach without going inside the hole..

I'm going to get this put on a T-shirt

Ha ha ha ha @JoeExoticsEyebrowRing

Joking aside please see a GP ,foul discharge isn't right and could be something like BV or something more serious.Please take it from me ,don't ignore something that you know isn't right
Take care xx

Use Mitchum spray around the vulva area after shower daily (or 2 to 3 times a day) if you find that you sweat easily down there.

Mitchum? Around your quim?! That cannot be a good idea...

No Mitchum around the banjo. Ever. It is lethal stuff. Poor OP. I hope she is alright.

I don’t have this problem but I don’t dry my nether regions with a towel as I don’t like the idea of wiping my face on the same bit later on so I give it a bit of a blow with a hair dryer and if I hadn’t had a bath for a while, despite aiming the shower head there after soaping, there was sometimes a whiff with the heat of the dryer but I found after a bath there wasn’t so I make sure I have one now at least once a week which solved the problem. Perhaps you just need a damn good soak if you only use a shower?

Also rubbing in a bit of coconut oil on the vulva and perineal area after washing will help if you have any infection which might be fungal or bacterial. You can get it most supermarkets for a few quid. I swear by it for issues down there!

Simple soap should be OK, OP. Stay away from anything with a fragrance (Mitchum's???? Madness.) And you might try some Balance Activ BV pessaries.

How can people not wash with something down there?
I dont mean the actual vagina but around about it?!
And what's wrong with Femfresh?
I wash with it every day and can assure you I feel and smell cleaner than if I wasnt! (Again I dont mean inside my actual vagina)

It's BV. Smells really awful. You can buy treatment in Boots or Superdrug OP.

Does BV cause intense itching? Can’t use canesten cream to relieve it as that gives me a bad reaction. Would a GP normally prescribe without seeing you? I can’t get to my surgery without taking a bus (London), and that terrifies me.

And again, let me direct you all to Seren’s post of 17.50 which links to an article by a consultant gynaecologist and spokesperson for the Royal college of gynaecologists where she recommends only using water on your vulva.

Mitchum? Around your quim?! That cannot be a good idea.

Not inside. Like spraying your thighs only with your legs apart and the can a few inches away. It's done wonders for a few people (obviously people are different and it can irritate others).

Just like Femfresh works for some and is "lethal" for others. Everything is "lethal" in some way even your soap. There's chemicals in most beauty/hygiene stuff you use. Don't knock things for others because it hasn't worked for you.

I've only had BV once and dear god the smell!! I thought something was rotting up there. Anyway a swab done by the gp confirmed it was BV and AB cleared it up.

wash everything you can reach without going inside the hole..

I'm going to get this put on a T-shirt

😂😂

I wash told on no uncertain terms not to wash inside. The "smeg" is there to protect the mucosal lining of your vagina and has a ph level that needs to not be messed with. Bacterial vaginosis is a def possibility. Also a deodorizer for the inner thigh area can help but please leave the mucous lining well alone. I agree that everything but the hole is a perfect t-shirt slogan just not good advise for the reception area around it. Phone the gp in the morning.

That should say I was told on no uncertain terms not to wash inside.

Wash the vagina. Don't wash the vagina. Don't not wash the vagina, but definitely wash the vagina. Actually just wash around the vagina, and Stay Alert!

tinkly I just read that article and it didn't make sense. She says '
The vagina itself is self-cleaning, so all you need to do is clean the vulva with water or an emollient.'

But the vagina and the vulva are two different areas. The vagina self cleans, yes, but it doesn't clean right up at the top of the vulva around your clitoris. Even SHE seems to be confusing vulva and vagina!

Should be able to smell your own vag?! Are you mad??

Not going to reiterate the sound advice re water inside, soap on the outside, but I will ask the OP if she is changing and washing underwear/trousers daily? The only time I ever have issues is if it’s been a sweaty day and my clothes smell as opposed to my body. The shower head is normally enough to give the area a good swish inside the labia. Find a non-irritating soap.