I have an embarrassing issue - crotch/clothes smell bad

[SummersBreeze]

Every day when I go to the toilet and pull down my pants, I can get a whiff from the crotch of my knickers/pants. Then at the end of each day when I change out of Mt clothes, I can smell it and it smells bad. I don't know how to describe the smell.

When I was younger I was able to wear the same pair of trousers for 2 or 3 days. Now I have to wear clean trousers every day and even then I do probably do with changing during the day.

It's awful.

I went to the local church mass yesterday. I sat two rows behind the old head mistress of my school. She used to smell bad in school. Like some BO issue. Every time the mass had the mass goers stand/kneel, I was able to smell something bad. I thought it was the teacher I was smelling. Now I am not too sure if it was me.

This is so embarrassing.

I am wiping myself after going to the toilet.

The staining in my underwear is a dark yellow. I wear cotton underwear. My trousers are usually cotton but sometimes viscose. Even when I wear shorts or a dress for airflow, there can still be a bad smell.

I haven't been to the doctor about this.

Have you spoken to your doctor about it? Not sure anyone can diagnose you over internet.

Is it sweat? Can happen as you get older I'm afraid.

Did you not read the op? 🙄

How is your diet? It sounds as though your PH is very off balance hence the smell.

What does it smell of? Fishy/ Vinegary/ Dirty/ Sour/ Irony/ Dense/ Yeasty? If you were to compare it to something what would it be?

Society has conditioned us to think things like this are embarrassing, I promise they’re not. Lots of women go through problems like this. Could it be thrush that doesn’t itch? What do you use to wash? Have you changed soap it could be an allergy.

Have you noticed a change in your vulva? I would recommend doctor and see what they say? Are you currently going through menopause or stress etc?

This is why panty liners were invented. Some women have more discharge than others. If there's a fishy smell it could be bacterial vaginosis too.

@halfsiesonapotnoodle sorry I missed the last sentence but still stand by the fact that nobody can diagnose OP over the internet.

Is the dark yellow staining a new thing ? If so I'd definitely go to the doctor as that doesn't sound right.

Is it a musty/fishy smell? If so, sounds like bacterial vaginosis although I'm no expert. To help with BV you need to change the ph balance in the vagina. BV isn't itchy btw.
A teaspoon of white vinegar in a mug of cooled water squirted in the vagina or boric acid pessaries will do the trick if it's BV

Go to the dr and get a swab. If it’s some sort of bacteria then it’s usually an easy fix.
Another cause could be your clothes not being cleaned properly. I personally need to wash on high temps with washing powder to really freshen my clothes.

Last line of OP's opening post:

I haven't been to the doctor about this.

First line of first response:

Have you spoken to your doctor about it?

@SummersBreeze Do you have a GUM near you? They are very helpful. Or please do ask your GP or practice nurse to take a swab.

Get checked for infection and use panty liners

Could be thrush, BV or an STD. Defo need to be brave and see a doctor.

Sounds like an infection. It won't clear up without medication.
The other possibility is a forgotten tampon. If you absentmindedly put a new one in before taking one out, it can go unnoticed. A friend did that. No Toxic shock but real hygiene problems until they realised what had happened.

You can buy tests for BV over the counter now, I'd try this first and then go see a GUM clinic or GP if you need to.

Don't suffer though, op.

If you can’t get through to Dr, try a sexual health clinic. They’ll check for thrush, bacterial vaginosis and STIs.

It’s probably more likely to be one of the other things, but it’s worth visiting the doctor. A weird smell was the only sign of my cervical cancer.

How old are you OP? I only ask because once I reached menopause I was unknowingly leaking a little urine every day and I remember smelling of wee sometimes, much to my disgust. I am happy to report that it stopped happening once I came out of menopause. I used to wear panty liners every day and never wore the same pair of trousers more than once without washing them. If it's any consolation, this happened to a couple of my friends too during the menopause.

I had panty liners because they never stick. I think there is a sweat issue. I am peri menopause.

Diet and hormones also affect vaginal odor. Start with a dr’s appointment to rule out a bacterial fungal or hormonal cause then consider some diet and or laundry approaches. Which might include doing pants separately in different detergent.

Sorry, I meant to write 'hate'.
I hate panty liners.

OP in terms of cleaning your clothes i recommend Dettol laundry cleanser. Just need a cupful added to your normal wash.

re: the rest, def GP.

With diet, I got covid a few weeks ago and just like that my diet went to trash.

My diet used to include a lot of eggs, vegetables, cheese, fish, fibre foods, soups, homemade soups, salads. When I got covid something flipped and my appetite wasn't big and it turned to trash like sugar cereals.

I am working on changing my diet again but its slow steps.

For laundry, I use Milton sterilisating fluid for soaking my clothes first and then I wash.

It sounds like you might have bacterial vaginosis. I would head to the doctor, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about!

Also, especially in the heat, are you making sure you're drinking enough water?