Need to talk about BV!!!!!!!

[Kate8989]

I’ve had this for years... some days I don’t and some I do. I’ve been swabbed so many bloody times each time it comes back negative for BV. My symptom is the slight fishy smell but I don’t have any other symptoms from it...
Antibiotics do sweet FA, I’ve tried all the herbal remedies, pessarries, gels etc you can imagine but nothing has any impact!!
Anyone else live with this? X

Well, if you've never tested positive maybe you don't have BV. Are you sure the fishy smell is coming from INSIDE your vagina, rather than the normal smell which develops around the vulval area naturally?

I know I’m relying on Dr Google too much but I read that nothing else can cause that smell apart from BV so I have just assumed that’s what I’ve got? I’ve never spoken to friends or family about “the smell” so feel very isolated with it x

Have you been tested for Trichomoniasis? That also has a fishy smell

BV definitely causes the fishy small INSIDE the vagina- TMI but a good way to tell is the shower so that the outside bits are clean, then insert a finger into the vagina. No fishy smell means probably no BV. How long after thoroughly washing are you noticing the smell? What do you wash with? Hands? Flannel? Soap?

@ExoticMatter- I have read about that but no definitely not that. Been with Husband for ten years and during that time been swabbed dozens of time for every STI under the sun and nothing!
@InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream- I will test that out, thank you! I bath mainly in just water. I don’t apply any products directly to the vagina. Some days are worse than others... most of the time the smell is bearable but other timed it’s really strong! X

You're just washing your flaps with just water? I know the vagina is self cleaning but the other area needs a good clean. All sorts of crap can gather and just water doesn't get rid of oils does it?

@gamerchick- see I’ve been told by Doctors, nurses etc to not put anything scented down there and just use water! So that’s exactly what I’ve done... would hate to think I’ve not been washing correctly for all these years x

I was told not to use products on the vagina. The rest of the area still needs a proper wash. It would make an interesting thread I think.

I'm just saying, maybe just water doesn't cut the mustard. There are plain unperfumed soaps and emollients out there that do the job.

It's just a suggestion, wash your fanny how you want

😂 @gamerchick- although the “BV” drives me mad, this thread has put a smile on my face. You’ve made an interesting point. I may make some changes.... x

I agree with Gamer- I would stink if I only used water in the fanny area! I use a small amount of gentle soap- I don't get it in the actual vaginal entrance, and I rinse thoroughly.
In your case, If the stinky area is in the folds and flaps rather than actually inside the vagina, then it's probably just a washing issue.

@InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream- 😂😂😂 I’m loving this! I thought at 28 years old I knew how to wash my bits but obviously I have no bloody idea lol!!! I assumed everyone used water in the whole area. Gosh I have no idea!!!! X

well just try to use something nice and gentle and unfragranced, and don't get it in your vag! . And let us know how you get on

Femfresh is really good. Gentle and designed for washing the whole area. Normal soap used to make me smell fishy but since I use femfresh there's no smell at all.

Use a really gentle baby soap and get in all the nooks and crannies around your flaps. Basically wash everywhere right till you get to your vaginal opening. Wash nothing inside. I think the way medical people word how to clean yourself causes more issues that anything.

Don’t use original source stuff- tea tree/ lime etc. Although if you do, smell won’t be the only issue!!!

Ok thanks everyone- will give it a try! You’ve all been so helpful. Will let you know how I get on 😆... x

I feel stupid to think I’m the only one who thought the whole area could only be washed with water? I’m so tempted to start a thread on here 😂 x

@Kate8989 Washing the flappy bits or vulval skin with JUST warm water is exactly the right thing to be doing. If you are being stabbed for BV and it's coming back as negative then you do not have BV. Have you been to a sexual health clinic that have microscopes? They swab and look there and then for "clue cells". These cells are BV under the microscope. If you have done this and you are still negative for BV then it is not BV.
I'm a sexual health nurse and we always say warm water ONLY around all genital skin.

Even if you wash it a coupleasure of times a week with soap. That's a happy Medium then never using soap!

Have you had a smear test recently?

Also I agree with the femfresh thing - that's the only thing I use there :-)

Lol start the thread i think it would be interesting!

Femfresh is pH balanced for flaps and so doesn't cause irritation. I use it as a shower gel all over. You don't need to flush it inside but you do need more than just water on your vulva and bum.

Oh blimey - I imagine the smell is just not washing! It’s just inside you can’t wash - outside of you should definitely be washed every day.

I think perhaps all the ‘use the correct terminology’ stuff I’ve been so scathing of on here suddenly makes sense! Vagina = inside, Vulva = outside. Definitely wash vulva daily, just don’t put products in or wash vagina - that bit is self-cleaning, the rest certainly isn’t.

Hopefully will be life changing OP!

Please see attached information from British Association of Dermatologists regarding use of soaps or irritants on vulval skin.
The only thing we recommend is warm water once daily on the vulval skin. There are alternative soap substitutes which you can use if you suffer from dry or irritated skin but soaps are not necessary.
Femfresh is the worst. Burn it.

@MadamePeony- thank you that’s so so helpful and is what I’ve been told for a long time especially with someone suffering from
suspected BV.
Yes I have been to a GUM clinic and it’s come back negative so I’m very confused.
I’ve noticed alcohol is a trigger so wonder if there’s a connection to diet? Nothing majorly sticks out though to makes it really bad. Such a mystery x