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.

🤣

I disagree. I use soap on the outer bits but not the inner. I have had thrush once in my 45 years, have never had a UTI and do not smell. (You will obviously now say that I do smell but just don’t realise and you would be wrong). The inner labia have plenty of their own, um, juices which naturally clean the area (same as the vagina).

@Papillon23- same as what I do. I use soap on the hairy bits basically!

Hello everyone. I want to clarify a few things. I'm in my early 30s so I can safely say it's not menopause or vaginal atrophy. I am also quite sure it's not a lost tampon as I've reached deep inside and haven't found anything. Also the smell is definitely originating from my vagina and not my vulva. I have had a telephone appointment with my GP and they said it sounds like BV. I've been prescribed oral metronizadole.

You show a lack of anatomical understanding. The inner lips are not self-cleaning. They don't produce any lubricants or discharge. Only the inner vagina does. Do you wash your anus with soap? (I'm a little worried of your answer)

Hahaha- yes thank you, I do wash my arsehole 😂

I’m quite touched you’re concerned about my anatomical comprehension and indeed my hygiene practices. I realise that the labia themselves don’t produce lubricant but they benefit from the lubrication that comes from the vagina. I am perfectly happy with my vulval health and odour so won’t be changing anything as a result of reading this thread.

Glad you came back OP and have sought some medical advice. Let's hope this works for you. I am certain that that is a treatment that you absolutely must not mix with alcohol (even mouthwash) because it can make you very sick.

This has been a very interesting thread to say the least!

I just wash my outer ‘bits’ with normal shower gel and have had no problems

you’re not a BV sufferer then! All advice is to only wash with water. Soap throws off your BV and is one of the most common causes of BV

That advice is for the vagina, ie no vaginal douches, it is not for the vulva. People have confused vagina for the vulva, and maybe that's how this has all come about.

I am also quite sure it's not a lost tampon as I've reached deep inside and haven't found anything.

I once went to the GP because I knew there was a tampon in there, but I could not reach it at all - the string had also got lost inside. They had a speculum and tongs, so could reach further than me and my short fingers. So it's possible, even if you've had a yhorough investigation- though of course your anatomy may be different from mine, and you can reach further.

<has flashback to the lost mooncup event at the start of lockdown...>

That's been my experience too (it's indistinguishable unless you're in that area but my husband says it's his favourite smell). I think @Cyclingagain comment is spot on - the amount of people who think they're supposed to smell like chemical perfume and if they don't then they need to buy products to make that happen is testament of the fiendishly good job that pharmaceutical companies have done creating a market for their products!

@Mumofmarauders I have never used a perfumed product on my vulva. Nor have I ever used a product specifically for that purpose. For me it's a place with lots of reasons to become smelly so I prefer to wash with soap. There is a big difference between smelling clean and normal to smelling of pee, old period blood, poo or indeed just enclosed sweaty areas.

My advice would be never spill perfume there. It stings like hell.

(Obviously this had to happen with one of the most expensive bottles I had.)

I think a lot of people are thinking ok just warm/hot water for the vulva area but are also thinking it's ok just to use water on the whole area so the leg pits (groin) & pubic hair don't get soaped either.

You have apocrine glands in your groin (leg pits) and armpits. These glands produce the sweat that smells when it comes into contact with the bacteria on your skin.

Both makes & females will usually smell like onion soup/the contents of a wheelie bin/rancid meat/fish if they don't wash the groin area with soap.

incorrect.. you think that soap used on your vulva won’t naturally also get slightly into your vagina? Of course it does and it’s a massive cause of BV. The experts on BV will tell you never to use any soap in or around your vagina as it’s a massive trigger

Sounds reasonable. I prefer the Dremel with a coarse sandpaper attachment. And nothing gets it nice and fresh afterwards like a big splash of iodine😁

If you throw your PH balance off with soap that’ll cause you to smell

It shouldn't. What you are saying is incorrect. No one will tell you not to wash with soap down there.

I suppose you don't wash your anus with soap, in case it goes up there?

PH is internal. Soap is used externally. If you don't use soap, not only are you at risk of infections, you will stink like rotting fish.

I only wash with water and don't smell. I soak in a bath though and if you do that then you really don't need to use soap if you don't want to. If you're just under a shower with a little bit of water running down you then that's a different matter, the water wouldn't even get in the cracks!

This just isn't true.

@Waitingfordoggo
agree. Soap for outer parts, wash inner labia/folds with warm water gently using fingers

We need a female Dr Michael Mosley type to do a tv programme looking at various marketing ideas and speak to real Drs, consultants etc and importantly have a diagram of the female body with labels and notes pointing at each part staring this is your x do/do not wash with y. It’s amazing that most people on here will be adult women and we can’t agree what the science is and believe it on how to wash your body between your waist and knees correctly.

So if the pubic hair I'm my outer labia has dried up remnants of sweat, urine, period blood and semen on it, is plan water really going to properly clean it? TMI but sometimes some of my pubic hair gets stuck together and just wetting it with water certainly doesn't get it unstuck, adding a bit of soap does.

After defecation do you just use water then to wash the. Bottom ?Women have periods and need more than water to clean the area.