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.

Totally agree.

Also....

This will not be the cause of the smell anyway. If all is healthy there you won't smell. The smell is caused by something going wrong. You need to find out what that is and treat it*

This is utter nonsense. We all have bits that smell if not cleaned properly. You wouldn't wash your armpits with water because you'd stink. Your vulva and surrounding area full of folds, covered in pubic hair and covered with clothes largely. From that area we pre, poo, bleed and have sex etc etc. There is absolutely no way that water of adequate for cleaning that area. I repeat NOT inside your vagina where you absolutely wouldn't put soap. However everything else can be kept clean with an unscented soap/wash. I've done this all my life, I'm 54, never had an "upset balance" or anything else. I also don't smell. The OP needs to wash.

@ChiefWiggumsBoy obviously I wash the outer area around it. Just don't get soap right inside. Gosh people speak to people like children on here sometimes

It really is. She seemed so surprised that washing your cracks stop them smelling. So many people on this thread are mistaking washing your pubes and vulva area properly with gentle soap/gel with inserting products up your vag. Two very different things and I wouldn't do the latter one either.

And I don't know what you mean by euphemism? Because I said down there? Ffs

Canestan is for thrush, not BV.

Not necessarily - Canestan also do a test and treatment for BV, as well as different pessaries and creams for thrush.

But I'd second seeing a GP/GUM clinic before anything else.

Op, just go and see your gp about this. If the smell is definitely from your vagina then it requires medical advice.

For those saying they use only water on their vulva, I don't understand HOW you do that (I get that some people don't like soap for whatever reason). It must get a bit foisty in the legpits if you're not actually washing with soap. Or are you able to wash up to but not actually on the vulva from the sides and behind? That's some precision flannel work.

But it's not obvious, is it?

You used the words 'down there' instead of saying vulva or vagina. How is anyone supposed to know which bits you mean when people use them interchangeably?

My whole point is that if we're not specific, people don't know they're not supposed to use soap on the inside but they are on the outside. PS I'm not the only one who has said that, read the post from @TheFormidableMrsC right above your 'And I don't know what you mean by euphemism? Because I said down there? Ffs' post.

And FWIW I purposely didn't tag you because it's not a 'you' problem, you'd just highlighted the issue nicely. If you interpreted my post as treating you like a child that's a you problem.

What about my vulva?

Whilst you should never wash inside the vagina, gently washing the outside of the genitals, the vulva, can help to keep your genitals healthy.

"Women should wash their vulva gently with their hands and use only water and unperfumed soap," says Dr Mackay.

"It is best not to use a washcloth as this can be rough on the delicate skin."Women should wash the whole area including the inside of the lips (labia) but it is important not to get soap and water inside the vagina."

Quote taken from patient info.

People on this thread are insane.

I wash with soap everywhere else on my body, including my bum - but have always been told by GPs and a gynaecologist to use only warm water to cleanse my genitals, including the outside, and I've stuck to that advice all my life. If you are using sufficiently hot water it cleans perfectly well and keeps the area in balance. I might occasionally use a mild and unscented soap on the outside if I feel I'm particularly grubby, but I limit this in case any soap gets into the vaginal area and unbalances things. Aqueous cream also fine if you prefer but I've never felt the need.

My vulva is perfectly clean and none of my sexual partners have ever complained about spending time in that area. It's supposed to smell like a vulva, not like perfume. If it smells bad regularly in your genital area and you are showering regularly, that's indicative of a problem and you need to see your GP.

Oh, and I've never had bacterial vaginosis. Sounds like OP might have something like that but they definitely need to see the GP to sort it.

Using soap in that area (euphemism) can cause a ph unbalance and trust me no one wants that x

"It is best not to use a washcloth as this can be rough on the delicate skin."Women should wash the whole area including the inside of the lips (labia) but it is important not to get soap and water inside the vagina."

And there I was, wondering how to up my precision flannel game...

@beezlebubnicky how many doctors have you asked how to wash your fanny properly?!?

I use soap - on my vulva - and have never had BV either <shrug>

Lordy, I'm 60 and have never washed my arse or fanny with anything other than water. Some people watch too many soap adverts...

I always washed with soap or shower gel until I got vaginal atrophy. My God, the stinging.

😂Love the thought of a self-cleaning arse. It would save literally seconds every day.

My gynaecologist and GP are both adamant that you shouldn't wash your vulva with soap, just water is fine. They've got the right letters after their names, so I follow their advice (not that of randos on the Net).

gynaecologist and GP will tell you only to wash your private bits with warm water.

If youre embarrassed to contact gp just go to a sexual clinic, they dont ask for your details you can be anonymous, yea x . Even tho u havent had sex it might still be something, u never know. Get checked to relax your mind and maybe it will solve the issue. Dont just self diagnose when it can be over in no time just by going there. And much faster than gp x

Yet somehow, miraculously, me and countless other women have non-stinky vulvas despite only ever washing with water.

My sexual partner who loves frequently smothering his nose and mouth in my vulva, saying its like nectar (bless him), would also be surprised to find I apparently stink, despite him never noticing either.

You can stand and angrily insist that I and women like me must stink, yet mysteriously neither we nor or intimate partners have never noticed, as much as you like to avoid changing your position. But we don't. And given that, there is nothing you can say to convince me that I do, and that washing in water is inadequate.

OP has a problem that needs investigating.

Like nectar? I just threw up a little.

Most straight men do love the natural smell and taste of that part of the body IME.

I use Aveeno Baby liquid wash. Keeps me very fresh all day. Just water does not do that. It is perfume free.

Ironic. Because according to @TheFormidableMrsC that's exactly what my partner should have done upon first sniff of my bits. 😂

All this thread has done is show me that the multinational companies, who have tried very hard in years of late to persuade women that their genitals smell and they need to buy their products to prevent this humiliation, have done a blindingly successful job with their marketing.

Let's be honest it can get very stinky down there even if you are impeccable with your hygiene. After a hot day sitting at a desk for 7 hours or so and visiting the loo regularly it can get quite unpleasant, especially if you are wearing tights, as I had to do in an uptight professional firm.

Please please go to gp op!! Have an examination and a swab done to rule out anything sinister.