Please help - vaginal smell

[TwinkleStars15]

Ladies please help me!

I had had this problem for a very long time and the only thing that’s takes away the smell is antibiotics, Metronidazole to be exact, so I have this on repeat prescription but it can’t be good to take antibiotics all the time! It is only 1 a day but still.

It’s not an STI, been checked so many times over the years despite me saying it isn’t that. Nor is it VB - again all tests came back clear. The GP doesn’t know what to do, hence why they’ve agreed to give me the antibiotics on repeat, but this isn’t a diagnosis or a cure!

It’s ruining my life and making me extremely miserable. Can anyone shed any light? I’d really appreciate it. It’s so embarrassing

What is the smell? Musty or fishy?

Well I’ve had it so long it’s become normal and hard to tell, think more fishy, which is why the GO automatically assumed BB but tests have always come back clear

*GP automatically assumed BV

Sounds obvious but is it not maybe just your normal smell? Is it actually offensive??

There is a natural smell of lady parts, just like there is for male genitalia

If tests have repeatedly come back normal, your doctor should not be giving you repeated metronidazole but exploring your health anxiety

I had this continuous smell / discharge.
I went and had a smear test (I hadn't had one ever) turns out I had cervical cancer stage 1.
Since I've had my op - no more smell or discharge.
Not saying you have anything like me - but may be worth a shot if you're due a smear test?

I hear you OP. I am the same and of course you know the difference between your normal smell and whe it is not your normal smell.

I have heard pro biotics can work but didn't have much luck with them myself.

I use multigyn every day and it makes it somewhat bearable.

When I am clear of it the relief and freedom is great but like you I don't want to be taking antibiotics.

I do think its an imbalance and I take all the normal precautions like not having baths, wearing cotton underwear etc it's very frustrating.

Try wearing tena lady, I did and it really helped for some reason!

Has the GP not referred you to a specialist gynae, rather than just doling out antibiotics without diagnosing? Doesn't sound the best approach...

I used to know a girl who had trimethylaminuria which gave her a very strong fishy odour which only increased during her period. I don't know if she ever received treatment for it.

I mean it got stronger during her period but she definitely had a very strong fishy odour all of the time.

What do you wash with? If I use soap I smell awful. Something to do with the ph.

Have you tried dipping a tampon into a probiotic yoghurt and putting it in for a few hours a day ( morning ?) for 5/7 days and then seeing if that has helped ?

Do/did you use tampons ? My friend had one lodged that her doctor and nurse didn't find but an ultra sound did x

finallyfree wow that’s scary. I did have a smear about 2.5 years ago and it was okay, the smell has been present for much much longer so I’m hoping it’s not that! I am due one next Summer but might bring it forward...

mysweet I have tried probiotics but they don’t work. What is multigyn? What makes me think it’s not my normal smell is that when I take the antibiotics it goes completely and when I stop them it’s back immediately.

jeanmichael no they said that there used to be a specialist clinic for this/excessive discharge (which it isn’t) but they stopped it. They have recommended the GUM clinic but it’s not an STI so I’m unsure why they’d recommend there? Maybe I should just go anyway, and they can do all the tests again if necessary... I had a baby last year and all the tests done in pregnancy were negative so I know it’s definitely not an STI.

victoriabun I will definitely try that, thank you. I would be amazed if something so simple helps!

bedsheets I had a baby last year so definitely no missing tampons!

Sorry if I missed anyone, I’m grateful for the replies. This is really ruining my self confidence and my daily life is affected so much. I just want to get it sorted

GUM just stands for genitourinary medicine, so the clinic prob covers broader than just STIs. I'd definitely try that - even if you phone ahead first to check with them whether it's something they'd cover.

Find out if you have been tested for trichomoniasis, it’s not something normal sti tests check for during pregnancy, it’s treated the same way as bv but you might be reinfecting yourself every time you have sex with your partner x