Having an embarrassing issue relating to my smell

[fanjoconcerns]

Hello. I'm currently experiencing an ongoing issue relating to the smell of my vagina. I started noticing it a few months ago and it seems to be getting worse. I initially thought it might be BV (bacterial vaginosis) but now I am not sure. It's not an STI as I'm not sexually active and haven't had sex for over a year. I wouldn't want to have sex while the smell is present anyway. The smell is pungent and very prominent. As soon as I do anything that involves getting undressed, it hits me right away. The smell comes back quite quickly after I shower or have a bath. I'm also having to change my knickers at least twice a day. There are no other symptoms other than the unpleasant smell. No discharge, pain, discomfort or anything else.

Nothing has changed regarding my diet or medications I take, and I don't use any specific cleaning products (femfresh etc) on my vulval area other than plain water. I have always been told you aren't supposed to use them. So far I have tried the canesten gel which is supposed to treat BV, but it hasn't worked for me which is why I am not sure that it is BV. Is there anything else I should try or does it generally require a GP appointment to fix if it is indeed BV? With my GP you have to tell the reception staff what your issue is when you call them, and I'm not looking forward to saying what it is on the phone.

Tell the receptionist it's a gynaecological issue, that's all she needs to know. If it is BV, and it sounds like it, you might need a course of Metronidazole to clear it up.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/

Canesten treats yeast infections, not bacterial ones.

You can buy a test that tells you if it's thrush or BV you've got. Then buy the appropriate meds. Get the pessaries AND the cream for maximum effect. From a long term sufferer!

Are you old enough to be nearing menopause OP? All kinds of weird and wonderful (!) things can happen then.

You say you’re only washing with plain water… it may not be enough. Why not use something like baby soap?

The issue is likely you don’t wash with soap. You need to use soap to wash your vulva. Like the rest if your body,

Have you posted before op? Sure this is the 3rd time I've read this.

Get rid of hair as that keeps smells lingering- especially if you are only washing with water. Use stay for that area. Cotton knicks. Wash twice a day.Try to not look to notice it, because you can become obsessed.

I became obsessive about this, lots of test done and nothing found. I then remembered that I had this when I was much younger and so decided maybe it’s the way I am. I do the above and don’t notice it now.

You don't need soap. You can wash with just water. Aqueous cream can also be used as a soap substitute.

you need to wash your vulva with a cleanser. it's your vagina (as in up Inside you) that you don't need to wash with anything else.

Is it possible you have left a tampon up there? Check it out. 🙄
You really need to see your GP so swabs can be taken.
I hope it clears up soon.

You can buy something for BV over the counter at Boots. If that didn't work could you go to a sexual health clinic?

Hi OP,

I don't want to panic you, but smelly, persistent discharge was my main symptom before being diagnosed with cervical cancer. It could, of course, be something else (BV, as others have suggested) but please do ensure that you get cervical cancer ruled out. I was treated for BV for a while before they realised it was something more serious.X

You need to get swabs taken. I had BV recently. Look up your local sexual health centre, they usually have walk ins and if it is BV you’ll get antibiotics there and then. GP surgery can test too but you might wait longer for an appointment. The gel will not work for a lot of BV cases.

Canestan is for thrush, not BV.

If it smells strong and fishy, it's probably BV. You don't need to be sexually active to have BV.

You can use nightly BalanceActiv gels or pessaries to help correct the ph levels in your vagina. Although it's tempting, don't douche. Wash with very mild products, avoid heavily perfumes soaps. Lots of water. No alcohol.

If it doesn't clear up in a week, ask your GP for Metronidazole (an antibiotic) or you can buy it yourself on Superdrug Online pharmacy.

No it can’t, you need to wash with soap. She’s sweating, bacteria is getting trapped and she’s not washing properly. Your vulva, your arse, your pits and the rest of you, needs a wash with soap and water or you will smell.

acqueous cream Is an emollient, it creates a film on the skin and bacteria gets trapped behind it.

she needs to wash herself properly and that includes soap ( or shower gel) and water. Not doing so, like not washing other parts of you, or your clothes, without a detergent, will cause you to smell.

i think people got confused with the guidance not to wash your vagina, as they didn’t understand the difference between a vagina and vulva.

Exactly.

You need to wash with soap - just not inside your vagina with it. Everything in the outside with soap and plain water on the inside.

Definitely need to see GP to get proper treatment for BV- likely a antibiotics. I normally then get thrush straight after as this is a side effect of the medication annoyingly.

Yes,see the GP but try soap first!

I had recurrent BV during pregnancy. They put me on Metronidazole(horrendous stuff) which did clear it up for a week before it came back with a vengeance. The only thing that actually solved the issue was using vaginal probiotics (following my gynecologist's advice). You can buy them at the pharmacy.

I second BalanceActiv, it's brilliant.

You don't state your age, but something else to consider is Vaginal Atrophy which can produce an odour and is easily sorted with Oestrogen cream/ pessaries

Definitely wash with soap around the vulva first though

I always see people on here say that they only wash with water. The idea of this just feels a bit grim to me. I wouldn't feel clean.