Embarrassed about vaginal discharge

[Whiskyfromsmallglasses]

So for a bit of background I had the same issue about 4 years ago and now it's back.

Basically I've noticed I've got a very unusual smelling vaginal discharge. This is going to sound disgusting and I apologise in advance but the only way I can describe it is like dry dog biscuits. So I had this 4 years ago I was treated by the GP for thrush and bv, smear all fine, no stis and no stuck tampons. The GP eventually concluded it was hormonal and put me on the pill. The smell did go away. I don't have any pain, itching, rashes, no problems peeing and the discharge if anything is a little thin and watery.

I've recently had to stop the pill due to almost constant headaches and guess what ? The smell is back. The problem I have is it's bloody embarrassing I feel if it's noticeable to me others must be able to smell it. I've treated myself for BV and it made no difference I'm about to treat myself for thrush just to see if that will help. I'm single but I don't plan to be forever and as it is at the moment I would be mortified to have sex.

Just for context I shower once a day sometimes twice if it's been a hot day at work. I use qv wash but very diluted. I put one pump on a flannel and bubble that up with the shower head and then use that to wash. I use qv on the rest of my body anyway ( seen from a search on here there is a big debate on using soaps versus only water and realise it's personal preference ) I wear cotton underwear, and no underwear under my pjs, period is regular and getting back into a rhythm after coming off the pill, I stopped the pill 3 months ago and last smear was all fine. Oh and I take a vaginal pro biotic tablet think it's called optibac.

Anyone got any advice or personal experience?

Well, if you haven't got BV, thrush, an STI or worrying cell changes, this is probably just how it is.

I don't know what dog biscuits smell like, but I find it pretty sad if you dislike your own body's scents. It's possible your probiotics or your diet are influencing it - you could try experimenting with more/less fruit, dairy, meat, different veg, etc.

The hormonal factor's interesting - does it only happen at a certain phase of your cycle? I disliked my smells when I was going through menopause, but I didn't really smell bad - it was more that my body chemistry had changed and I wasn't used to it.

Not sure why @GarlicLitre has said they find it sad to dislike smelling like dog biscuits 🤔 unhelpful but any how.
I totally understand I had a similar things in my 20s and I remember thinking bloody hell if I can smell this then someone else can too. The thing that worked for me was boots own brand thrush treatment it was a pill and a pessary. I was also on the pill at that time, I remember switching to a few different ones as I honestly felt it was the pill that was causing the thrush (no idea if it was) but in the end after stopping hormonal contraception it did help. Since then I’ve had kids, been on and off contraception and never had the problem again.
Hopefully Someone comes along with better advice x

I am wondering if it is just hormonal but would rather not go back on the pill but also don't want this smell to continue. Feel like I'm stuck behind a rock and a hard place

Only time I don't smell it is during my period and then it's just the normal period smell. I had it before I started the probiotics. I started them just to try see if it helped

Sounds like BV (thrush itches but shouldn't smell) Ask the GP for or buy a BV test kit online. When you say you've treated yourself for BV, what did you use? BV really needs antibiotics, you may be able to get a prescription online (after a test) if you don't want to see GP

Could be diet related. Do you smoke or drink a lot? Eat a lot of junk? I've heard that eating a lot of pineapple and other tropical fruit can sweeten the smell, if its not medical related. I went to a specialist nurse about recurrent BV and she recommend me to use E45 wash down there. Has helped a fair bit. I get this a lot after my period because PH balance is upset and I really sympathise.

@AltitudeCheck last time I was given antibiotics and I treated myself with the pesseries. This time I've only done the pesseries

@Sixpence39 I don't smoke and I do drink but it's a couple of glasses of wine at the weekend. There is such mixed opinions on what you should and shouldn't use to wash with. It's hard to know whats right and wrong

Hormone changes (coming off the pill) can cause BV. The proper treatment for. BV is prescription only.

@Pbjsand do you mean antibiotics?

Yes oral Metronidazole

I've done an online consultation and been recommended to get Metronidazole which is arriving tomorrow. Let's hope it works

I had recurrent BV for a while and it kept returning despite Metronidazole and probiotics. Eventually the GP gave me Clyndamycin (a stronger antibiotic) and it’s not recurred since.

Sorry you are going through this. It does sound like BV in which case the metronidazole should work. If not another thing you could ask for is metronidazole gel pessaries as it targets any bacteria that may be in there.

I find it hard to believe others would be able to smell it through your clothes?

You mention you have a normal period smell, but surely that's only when you pull down your underwear and change products. I've certainly never smelt period or any other vagina based smell off any other woman. So maybe you are being a bit oversensitive about it?

I'd say it could be diet as well as hormones.

@AllTheChatsAboutTea thanks hopefully this antibiotic work but will keep the other one in mind

@Ceriane I'm guessing this is a Dr only pessery?

@DiscoBob just cause you find something hard to believe doesn't mean it's not happening and yes perhaps I am a bit over sensitive but I think it's justified to be sensitive to this kinda thing? Surely yourself and another poster that thought it was sad for being concerned about an unusual smell are the ones in the minority here?? Going around with an odd smell from your vagina and not bat an eyelid. Now I find that hard to believe!

Yes it’s prescription only.
It’s not you being over sensitive at all, it sounds like it could be an infection.
It’s treatable and not something you just had to put up with.
When I had it I knew the difference between that and how I normally feel and like you wouldn’t have tried to have sex or anything like that when I had it as I also had pain with it and knew something was wrong that needed treatment.

I wasn't trying to be dismissive or derogatory. And I didn't say it was sad you felt that way. I was trying to be reassuring! That it may not be noticeable to others. Sorry if I offended you. X