Strong smelling discharge but no answers *TW PICTURE ATTACHED*

[ForLilacDog]

TW PICTURE OF VAGINAL DISCHARGE ATTACHED I’ve been struggling with what I believe is abnormal discharge for nearly 8 years now. It’s a thick white discharge with bubbles and is strong smelling. I’ve been to two seperate gp surgeries since developing this, I was initially told it was BV and had antibiotics to clear it. One gp surgery told me rudely on the phone ‘it’s just thrush all women get it’ but I’ve had episodes of thrush in the last 8 years and just treat it with canestan and those symptoms go away but not the strong smelling discharge! I’ve then been told the last two times I’ve attended the GP that there’s nothing wrong and the swabs taken are normal. I’m extremely embarrassed that I smell all the time and I’m sure other people can smell me when I’m near them. I feel completely lost and have no idea what else to do at this point 😣I know discharge is normal and vaginas aren’t supposed to smell like roses but it just doesn’t seem right. I’ve attached pictures of my discharge to see if anyone else has experienced similar symptoms and can point me in the right direction as to what to do

Be interested to see other replies, but I get discharge like that all the time! Thought it was normal. No strong smell though.

Hey OP,

Sorry to hear you're having a rough time, I know too well how abnormal discharge can mess with your wellbeing! First things first, youre not alone and there are things you can try! Discharge like the picture could be normal but usually a bad smell indicates something else going on.

I suffered with chronic BV for absolutely years and was so embarrassed, tried to self treat for years with over the counter stuff and eventually got tested and confirmed. Ended up in an awful cycle of antibiotics, bv coming back, antibiotics and so on.. Turns out antibiotics make you more likely to have BV due to all good flora being destroyed.

So after extensive research... I have found a solution that works for me and seemingly for other women... this is the use of Boric acid supposatories and/or vaginal probiotics. See the boric acid as kind of creating a clean slate, and then the probiotics to actually bring good, healthy flora back into the vagina.

The boric acid supposatories i use are called private helper from miiyoni but theres lots of brands out there. Just pop one deep inside your vagina every night for atleast a week (wear a pad cause there will be some leakage)

Canesten used to do a great vaginal probiotic but dont anymore, closest thing i can find is one by Biocare, intrafresh i think its called. Which again, you insert into your vagina. It basically puts Lactobactilli (good bacteria) straight back into your vagina. Also been taking an oral womens probiotic by Optibac. (If you use the boric acid, maybe take an oral probiotic rather than a vaginal one at the same time, or do a week of boric acid, then a week of vaginal probiotic. Avoid sex during this time too)

I'm not a doctor but have also been let down by GPs and researched this extensively. A lot of the time, weird smells and discharge are due to a lack of good flora, the above things should help. These 2 things will set you back around £30-40 but its been SO worth it for finally not living with fear that people can smell me.

You've got this! :) No harm in trying, also maybe worth getting a sexual health screening if you havent.

All the best x

I had the same experience as a PP with bv. I unfortunately suffered for years, as it would just come straight back after the antibiotics.

I also then discovered boric acid and it solved the problem for me. I recommend it.

If that’s perfumed toilet paper you’ve got there op that could well be the culprit, certainly would exacerbate any issues. also are you sure it’s coming from inside your vagina ? The discharge looks normal to me, have you given it a sniff, does it smell?

So do I , dries In undies to a beigy shade