Undiagnosed vaginal discharge for 20 years now

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NC as this is an embarrassing post.

20 years ago I had unprotected sex and developed a fishy smelly vaginal discharge, clear/light yellow, slightly mucus-ey.

At the time I was checked out at a GUM clinic and given the all clear on the usual STI tests. I was only 20 so I naively assumed it would just go.

Over the years, I went back to the GP a few times to retest (all clear), I've also tried thrush and BV tests, all clear, tried Thrush pessieries, even ordered Metreizone? online in case it was the STI Triaciamonis? Sorry, cant spell check or I will lose this page. That did not work.

This was 10 years ago and I haven't bothered since, resigning myself to a lifetime of this infection.

I met my husband 12 years ago, but it was a fairly platonic relationship and we didn't have sex often, nor was he intimate, so my issues rarely impacted him. We have a child. My husband knew of the issue, but did not seem bothered. He did get an STI screening to be safe too, but it was clear.

I'm fed up with whatever it is that has changed the makeup of my vaginal bacteria as a result of a one night stand. I wear a panty liner, but have to wash trousers frequently as they smell. The discharge is continual. It makes my vagina feel quite gooey and I can feel it inside my body permanently, in the same way when you're on a period and you can feel it, although there isn't actually lots of it to see when it comes out.

I am now newly single and cannot go out dating like this..i don't know what to do, where to start. Should I see a gynaecologist or try STI postal tests as there seem to be a few now that weren't available on the NHS. I feel so down about it all as it feels like it should be treatable, that it was caused by sex, but doesnt show as an infection, thrush or BV. Any advice welcomed as I have lost all hope of ever being able to have a normal sex life again, and I would really like to meet somebody after being in a loveless marriage for so long.

metronidazole for trichomoniasis

I'd book myself into a private clinic with a gynaecologist like BUPA or find out who the best is in Harley Street

I'd be fed up of this after 20 yrs

There might be a specific antibiotic you need

You'd need to look at what part of your reproductive system is creating the discharge itself and work at halting its production as it were

Could you try that thing where you send your period blood to a fertility clinic in Greece and they test it for an infection. My friend did it as she was having trouble conceiving. It came back with an infection they sent her the anti-biotics whatever it was cleared up and she went on to have two children. She tested in the UK came back all clear apparently the test in Greece tests for everything the UK one only screens for certain types of infection. I know you're not trying for a child just thought it might help.

Book in at a GUM clinic again ASAP. They are much better for this than gp. Take it from there, going private if necessary.

What's your contraception? The iud gave me similar issues and it went when I removed it.

Ask to be testing for mycoplasma genitalium (mgen). Very common, they don’t routinely test as it is so common and often symptomless, but it can be dangerous for some, leading to PID.

*tested

It's been condoms as sex wasn't frequent with my husband.

Thanks for the ideas/suggestions. I am thinking of the BUPA suggestion. I'm prepared to throw some monry at this if I can just get some answers. Presumably gynaecologists can also test for all STIs like private STI clinics? Although I've drawn a blank so far, the NHS only tests for some STIs that I'm aware of, although the Greek clinic sounds promising.

I was sceptical as it was abroad but she went to Harley street and the clinic said we can do it here but our clinic in Greece tests for everything. As far as I'm aware clinics here don't use menstrual blood for tests whilst out there they do. I don't know the full ins and outs but all I know is she tested here in the UK normal swabs and blood tests came back with nothing, then tried the greek clinic and it came back positive with a bacterial infection was sent anti biotics then sent back another set of menstrual samples and the infection was gone. I do remember her saying she had an odd discharge smell like burnt rubber before she had any tests. Whatever you decide I do hope you get an answer and sorted, good luck

You may just need to changed the pH in your vagina to make it more acid. Boric acid pessaries do this.

Good idea to get checked by a doctor but the answer could be something very simple.

I get BV and GP treats me with the antibiotic gel rather than the tablets
my Bv never shows on nhs swab but I know I have it as it clears right up with the treatment of the vaginal gel

I had cervical polyps that created a thin, irritating discharge that all swabs were negative for. It would me sore and miserable.

When I had the polyps removed, it completely disappeared.

Could you try a 7 day course of Balance Activ anyway just to try see if it sorts out your PH levels? Boots have it for under £10, so worth a go if you haven't already.

I was going to suggest Balance Activ too. When I went to the sexual health clinic with recurrent BV symptoms (suspect caused by coil), they told me that Metronidazole was just killing all the good bacteria in my vagina as well as the bad. I stopped taking the antibiotics, used the gels at night and only washed with Dermal500. Symptoms went within a week and have not returned.

Thank you. These suggestions are giving me some hope. I'm going to try everything and hope that one works.

I would suggest trying a sexual health clinic again as the are well placed to test for all sorts. It might help to get tested to find the breakdown if vaginal bacteria you have as there might be an imbalance and not enough of the healthy Lactobacillus. You could also try taking probiotics like Optibac.

if you do ever find out what it is, please let us know

Get tested for mycoplasma and ureaplasma, you can get it done online for 99 by a company called thesticlinic you do the vaginal swabs and send them off x

STI testing in UK is shit. Send your period blood to Locus Medicus in Athens and get their full array of tests done. They’re very good and (as the NHS won’t accept overseas diagnosis) they can email you a prescription for you to buy the antibiotics from Boots.

Jfc if metrodizanole didn’t kill it it’s possible its a fungus or yeast infection.

As PP said, it sounds like bacterial vaginosis, which doesn’t always show up on swabs. Probably worth mentioning this when you get tested next.

I had chronic endometritis that went undiagnosed until I had a uterine biopsy for an unrelated reason. They found it on the biopsy. I don't think it caused a change in smell but point being that things can go undiagnosed until you are more thoroughly investigated.

Did you try the boric acid suppositories that a PP recommended?

The same thing happened to me, where I developed these problems after unprotected sex with someone new. Unlike you, my initial swab did show BV, and I was treated with antibiotics. The issue cleared up, but then it came back again (to a lesser extent) a few days after stopping the antibiotics.
After that, I was plagued for years with a horrible discharge, and all my tests would come back clear. I also went on to develop pelvic pain and deep pain during intercourse. It was all a complete nightmare.

My theory is that it is BV, but the tests are maybe not sensitive to pick up a mild infection.

After years of experimenting with various treatments, I finally found out about boric acid. I bought my own powder and empty capsules, and filled the capsules 2/3 with boric acid and 1/3 with pure coconut oil. I noticed relief very quickly.

I still keep boric acid at home, and very occasionally I will use a suppository if I ever feel my vaginal balance is starting to go off balance again. I rarely need them these days.

Sorry, I mean pessaries, not suppositories!