To ask how to stop my nether region smelling like the popular fishy snack?

[NoMoreSkipsSmell]

I smell like skips,

I have have recurrent BV for years. Normally a few days of BV gel solves the issue each time and maybe once a year I’ll need antibiotics as it’s really bad. I’m currently on antibiotics as whilst not too horrific, BV gels have not worked. Day 2 and already they are working. So:

Always wear cotton underwear
Shower down below with just water around my inner labia but a bit of vaginal ph friendly wash around my bottom and vulva
I take acidophilus daily and once or twice a week, I insert one vaginally, which does help but I dislike the residue
I don’t use strong detergent or conditioner on my undies
I have the same sexual partner and it makes no difference if we use condoms or not (been to GUM clinic for STI tests and all clear)
I believe I am early peri menopausal (late 30s)
I use tampons for the day whilst on my period (changed very regularly) and pads at night to allow air and flow

What else can I do? I’m sick of it now

BV has been diagnosed by a doctor on more than one occasion and I now know the signs and specific smell

Thanks in advance

I am also peri menopausal and had my first bout of bv a year ago now. I didn't know it was bv at first. To be quite honest I thought I was suffering from urinary incontinence or something because at that point I could not explain this smell that was emanating from my nether regions!
The only thing that helped me was changing my knickers very regularly until the bv cleared up. At least 4/5 times a day and I changed what I was wearing when I got in. I certainly found some of my jeans made the smell worse!

But I really have no fool proof tips for you. It's a bloody nightmare.

Have you tried Balance Activ? Boots/Amazon sell it and I think Superdrug do a generic one version too from the online doctor section

www.balanceactiv.com/

I had years of it. In the end they gave me 6 months worth (once a month) of Metronidazole and it completely cleared it up. I've been clear for 2 years now. Be prepared for the metallic taste in your mouth.

Moon cup, not tampons if you want internal protection. Make sure you aren't using scented towels at night - bodyform pink pack are good. Look at your diet, how much sugar and processed food is in it? Is you partner washing thoroughly? Whilst BV isn't technically an sti it's virtually unheard of in virgins and the bacteria can be passed back and forth between partners - see if him taking the acidophilus as well helps.

Do you have a coil? Because that can cause BV.

Stop washing your nether regions with anything other than water, it's a complete myth and marketing ploy that we need all this femfresh crap. As pp said don't use tampons. Do all the boring health stuff: good diet, exercise, sleep. That's how I cured mine and it was horrendous, more scampi fries rather than skips.

Do you take any hormonal contraception? Other medications?
How is your diet?

You may just need a much longer course of treatment to really kick it out, but you still need to identify the cause.

Thank you all. To add, I only wash my bum and pubic hair with wash. I only use water on my vulva and don’t wash my vagina.
I don’t use scented pads and I already use the BV gels regularly.

He is clean as far as I am aware.

My diet could be better… I’ll work on that next.

Thank you all

If you think you’re early menopausal get your Gp to prescribe internal oestrogen- Ovestin cream - and try that. Have a google about vaginal atrophy and lack of oestrogen in the vagina.

I would use a probiotic - perhaps one that is aimed at women with UTUs. You want balance back to the area!

air that kitty out

I ditched disposable sanitary items and saw a huge improvement in recurrences of bv/infection/odd smells. Look into reusable pads, they are really absorbent and so much more comfortable as well as being chemical free. Moon cups are a great alternative to tampons, takes a while to get the technique but it's worth it.

It sounds like you are doing a lot of sensible things to stay on top of it, have you ever had a test done after antibiotics to check its actually clearing the infection? I had a spell of UTIs- I'd get antibiotics then a month later get another one. After 6 or 7 my gp tested after the course and found that they weren't clearing the infection so kept coming back.

I have a bad bout of a BV at the moment with bleeding so am taking the antibiotics but it took 10 days to get diagnosed as there was no discharge or smell!
I’m 53 and it will be a year in February since my last period and I think I had 3 bouts of this over the last 8 months always after sex. It’s been very hard for the doctors to work out what was wrong with no smell or itching until the last few days but I’m sure this is menopause related but would love to know if this is common at my age?

May I ask if you know what type of HRT should be given if it’s almost a year since my last period and hot flushes and night sweats seemed to have disappeared altogether in September? I’ve had 3 bouts of this this year but I’ve never had it before. I check my on levels this morning before inserting Canesten gels and it’s 5.3 which apparently is average for menopausal women.

Should say Ph levels

I suffer from Trimethylaminuria. Fish was my main trigger and I have pretty much cut it out from diet. Don't seem to get a strong a smell from shellfish or processed fish.

I use bv gel on the last day of my period each month on a tampon. Just one tube. I just find it gets rid of it. Never suffer with it now.

Perimenopause can increase incidence of problems like this, so topical oestrogen may help as lot, as a PP said. The accompanying info leaflet can seem quite offputting but I understand it's outdated and the medication is very safe to use.

STOP putting any soap/lotions/cleansers/products/powder/spray/deodorant/wipes/sponge/cloths on/near your vulva/ vagina/ arse/ pubes perineum.

Wash the above with your hand and plain water only

When you wipe your arse (plain unscented paper) wipe upwards always away from the vagina.

KEEP OUT of all hot tubs/spas. They are seething incubators of potential infections, and the chemicals poured in to kill the bugs are just as irritant.

Wear all-cotton knickers and always take them off at night. Sleep naked/commando in a loose T or nightie so your groin can breathe.

Boric acid is a natural way to get rid of the dreaded bv also pro biotic yoghurt every day for a week.

I was going to say reusable pads/period knickers too

@Lovemelongthai

Boric acid is a natural way to get rid of the dreaded bv also pro biotic yoghurt every day for a week.

@Lovemelongthai

do you swallow these or insert them?

I think you insert them, but follow instructions of the ones you get.

thank you.