Why can't my GP sort my smelly vag?

[BeyondMortifying]

I'm posting here for traffic under a different name....

I posted about this issue before over a year ago but can't find the thread or username (habitual namechanger)

Basically what the title says... there is a noticeable odour down there so bad that I have to wear a pantyliner and change my knickers mid day. I cant weat the same jeans more than one day as they STINK. Its fucking mortifying. Its deffinatley noticeable to other people aswell, DP was asking about a weird smell in the bedroom.. my knickers which I hadn't yet taken down to the washing machine.

I went to my GP over a year ago, after treating my self for thrush, cutting out scented bath products/ sanitary products and seeing no improvement.
Was treated for BV... over the year I've had 3 different courses of oral antibiotics aimed at treating it and a cream. The antibiotics give me thrush as they are so strong, so then I have to treat that but the smell persists. GP can't keep prescribing them, understandably, and clearly they aren't working. I've had a course of "general antibiotics" just to see if it made a difference. I've had the coil out and a new one fitted. Nothing it working and its just awful.

I cut out onion, garlic and spices from my diet for nearly 2 and a half months but it made no difference. I eat pineapple every day, no difference. I've bought those pessery sort of things from superdrug and tried those. Nothing is bloody working and I'm at a point where I cant go out the house for more than a couple of hours before I need to get home for a wash before I have a waft of rotten vag about me.

Just as a background, one day I smelled totally normal, then over the course of a week I noticed a rank smell which has just never gone. Posters on my previous thread suggested lost tampon but over a year on and one never appeared, I've not died from TSS so presumably that wasnt the course.

GP is getting sick of me, I can tell. What am I missing that could be causing this??

Maybe time to see a specialist

Omg I could have written this post myself. I wouldn't say to the extent of yours I don't need to change my underwear etc but definitely a noticeable odour that started one day from no where. I've tried everything aswell and all my dr can say is it's hormonal cause there is certain times of the month that the smell is stronger. I was put on the pill which did seem to help but has been causing headaches so I came off it. Currently trying to speak to the gp but with all things covid related it would be easier speaking to God

I really feel for you, how debilitating that must be.

I know you said your OH noticed it, but is there a chance you may perceive it to be worse than it is? Have you thought others can smell it from a distance? Do you have any other symptoms down there? Have you had children (if so could it be a bit of urinary incontinence that is smelling).

I would push for a gynaecologist referral, especially given you've tried BV treatment which is normally the cause of a smell down there, particularly if 'fishy'. This is not a nice way to have to live day to day.

I would ask to be referred to a gynaecologist

I've asked my GP if theres anyone he can refer me to, even pre covid and the answer was no, basically it's just how I am. But its not "just how I am".
I went to the sexual heath clinic and I've had all relevant tests there but all the could suggest was replacing my coil in case that was causing it, I've since had it removed completely and no change.

Have you had a smear test in this time OP?

I don't want to worry you or put 2 and 2 together and make 5, but had something very similar a few years ago. I ended up having my smear test and a colonoscopy which revealed I had High Grade Dyskaryosis and I had to have Lletz to treat it. Since then I haven't had any problems.

Again, this may have just been a random coincidence. Hoping your GP can get to the bottom of it, or maybe refer you to your hospital's gynae dept x

Can you actually describe the smell?

Do you have a coil/IUD?
I had this, GP insisted it wasn’t caused by the coil but once I got it removed, it went away immediately.

What sort of smell?

I have got a DD but I'm not incontinent and the smell is not urine, nor is it particularly fishy. It does get worse a different times of the month, I get around 3 days just before my period where its bearable, for the week after it smells like something died down there. I'm fairly certain I'm not thinking its worse than it is, the sexual health nurse said it was noticable and "not typical", I think she was trying to be polite though.

Have you had an sti test op? If so and its clear you need to be speaking to a gynaecologist.

I would change to a female GP and asked to referred to a gynaecologist?

I don't understand why you can't be referred. It sounds awful. Perhaps if you tell your GP about the effect it is having on your mental health and is limiting your activities they may refer you then. Good luck OP

Pay privately to see a gynaecologist, you may have to use savings or even put it on a credit card, but it sounds like somethings wrong and your GP just doesn't know. Realistically you won't be getting a specialist nhs referral anytime soon with covid

Do you have private medical insurance, through work perhaps? I’d definitely keep pushing the GP for a gynae appointment, from what you’ve posted, this doesn’t seem right. This is a bit personal, so don’t feel obliged to reply, but what about sex? Has your DP never mentioned it? Is he happy enough to perform oral? If so, maybe it is worse than you think? Can you ask him if it’s not too mortifying? Just to get some perspective.

I would try a couple of things. Firstly cut out sugar. Second, have you tried probiotic yoghurt on there a few times a day for a few weeks? Third - perhaps all the washing is actually making it worse as its getting rid of ph balance and other things. Could you try not washing for a few days/a week?

Have you been tested for STDs?

I was due my smear probably around this time at year, I was quite busy so had to put it off but then lockdown happened. Which reminds me, I ought to get in touch about that.

Smell varies but tends to smell sort of dirty and rotten, almost like rotten food rather than fishy. Sometimes theres an undertone of walkers bbq crisps Deffinatley not urine.
I do get slightly excessive discharge which feels like it 'gushes' occasionally, but other than that nothing unusual apart from the smell.

But really you should be being seen by specialist- given current referral waits your gp should be referring now.

What sort of underwear do you wear. Lacy style underwear can often create more of a smell than cotton.

I would ask foe an urgent smear

Is it a BV sort of smell, or something different ? I agree gynae referral, can you afford to go private ?

Could you be menopausal and it is a discharge?

Your GP is an arse!

I would ask to see someone else and insist on a referral, and complain if they won't. Or - for speed could you pay for a consultation?

Sorry, I just read you already had STD tests.