Stinky Vagina

[kt-rich.livejournal.com]

 I've posted about my battle with my stinky vagina here, for about the past year.  I'm really reaching out now, to see if anyone has had this same problem and what you have done about it.
My vagina stinks, like ALL the time.  It wouldn't really describe it as a fishy smell, just a very strong stinky vagina smell.  No unusual discharge, and no itching.  I know its not just in my head and I'm being self concious about it, because my roomates have mentioned that they can smell it when i sit close to them. And also from my laundry basket in my room.

Here are the things I have done/ruled out:
- Have been on antibiotics 3 times in the past year for bacteria vaginosis. I do not want to take them again, as you cant drink alcohol for 10 days and they ALWAYS give me a yeast infection
- I do not wash with any sort of soap in my vagina area.  But always rinse well with water in that area.  I often have 2 showers a day to get rid of the smell.
- I have been tested for any/all STI's.Do not have any.
- I'm not having sex these days. For a long time I thought the bad smell was coming from semen in my vagina.
- I change my underwear twice a day and try to wear cotton underwear as often as possible.  The stinky vagina smell is worse when I wear my polyster work pants.

Please please please, any and all advice will help.
Thanks and hope everyone is having a great week :)

Comments

[syntheticdeath.livejournal.com]

I'm wondering if you shave. From my experience, before I started shaving, my vagina would smell not so pleasant quite often. I'm not saying you should shave or anything, but that is how I got rid of my problem. I'd get some type of feminine-area safe body wash (or regular if your girly parts can take it) and wash just the outside of your vagina.

[mollyanomaly.livejournal.com]

Was about to reply with pretty much the same thing. I've noticed when I haven't shaved for awhile, (ie, about 2+ weeks) I smell a lot stronger down below. I'm also not saying its the ONLY way to rid of the problem, but it was a solution that worked for me as well.

[kt-rich.livejournal.com]

I DO take care of the hair down there. I diligently get a Brazilian every month.

[simplykimberly.livejournal.com]

Trim your pubic hair way down. Hair traps bacteria, and that's usually what that odor is. You could shave it, but that's not really necessary. I was shocked to find out that's what made a huge difference for me. A little soap, even antibacterial soap (which I do NOT usually recommend) on the hair (not in the vaginal folds) can help kill some of the bacteria that lives in the pubic hair.

good luck!

[greeklilies.livejournal.com]

I agree with the previous commenters. I began doing brazilian waxes and the smell just went away without so much a trace. So now I'm diligent about it, it's a great solution.

[genghis-cunt.livejournal.com]

Ok seriously, THANK YOU for posting this, I've been going through the same thing lately.

Although it makes me sad the solution may be for my to do something about my bush :( (my laziness and sensitive skin knows no bounds :P )

[simplykimberly.livejournal.com]

Seriously - a pair of scissors over the toilet bowl every few weeks... just trim it if you're lazy and/or have sensitive skin! Really! :)

[archangelbeth]

Cheap guy's razor that has a beard-trimmer attachment, would be my suggestion. Don't run it against the skin, quite, but skim just above, "mowing" the hair down. Should get things "crew-cut" without being so short that you hit ingrowns or annoy your skin. (I can't shave the pubic hairs, or I'll get so many ingrowns that Cthulhu itself would run in fear.)

[masterskasumi.livejournal.com]

"I'll get so many ingrowns that Cthulhu itself would run in fear"

I would as well... thats why I shave in direction of growth. It isn't perfectly smooth, but no ingrowns.

[archangelbeth]

Most of my ingrown experience is with my nipple-hairs which, unlike the finer stuff on my arms and whatnot, are black and thick, like my pubic hair. I used to shave those flat -- with the grain (such as it is for nipple-hair), against the grain, whatever. If it went down under the skin at all, or flat against it... Ingrowns. After one of those infected and scarred such that I have to remember to express the pore there every couple of days, I went to clipping them close with the beard trimmer. No more ingrowns!

I've got every reason to believe that any major nether-fur shaving'd be the same way. Only instead of a dozen hairs, it'd be hundreds... *shudder*

[thyra.livejournal.com]

I never had dark nipple hair until after I got pregnant (and now they're here to stay). I pluck them with tweezers whenever they become visible because it's only a few here and there.

[archangelbeth]

From my experience with plucking... 1) OW! *whine* O:> And 2) tends to produce ingrowns.

I laser-hair-removal-zapped the goatee I got a while back, and at some point when I'm feeling brave and money-flush, I may see about getting the nipple-hair zapped. There's at least a dozen on each side, and some aren't even just haloing the nipple. *mutters darkly*

[halrenna.livejournal.com]

Is it extremely costly for laser hair removal? I have some problems with facial hair around my neck/chin that I'd like to get permanently removed someday but I fear I could never afford it.

[archangelbeth]

It was pretty expensive -- in part because it took a lot of applications to get rid of all my pesky goatee. (They were heat-ray resistant, despite being dark hair and pale skin. Alas!) The price dropped after the first 5 sessions, but was still a bit pricey, as I recall.

On the other hand, I'm rather pleased with the results. Some of the darker hairs have come back, but they're not thick and stiff anymore -- and the very thin ones, I can pluck without fear of ingrowns.

I'd consider researching it on the net (tip: if they say it's "painless" and it really is painless, it's a scam. Real laser-zapping is a heat ray that stings like a very hard rubber-band zap, or an instant minor sunburn. That's how you know it's working.), and then calling around for pricing. Then google on [name of place] complaint and see if you get any hits.

Good luck!

[thyra.livejournal.com]

Plucking doesn't hurt me, they just seem to slip right out. I only get slight ingrowns because I check for them religiously (don't want the husband to ever see my nipple hair, argh!). And yes, if I could pick any part of the body for hair removal via laser I would definitely pick the nipples (then the armpits!)

[apwoh.livejournal.com]

This is what I do, and it helps a lot, especially in the summer. Hair traps odors, so less hair means less odor. Using soap on the outside helps too. Just don't use it on your inner labia and rinse it off right away.

[haptotrope.livejournal.com]

yup! this!

give it a good haircut, and also, no stubble! and you don't have to wait for it to grow back enough to rip it out again.

Also, have you talked to a dermatologist? could it be some non-yeast fungal infection? or general infection? (viral, not bacterial?) or something going on in the folds of the skin IN the vaginal area, but not the vag itself? I know I've had some psoraisis-ish stuff happen in the folds of my legs, and its nasty. And stuff like polyester can play in there as well.

Also,I remember having a smell that was a bit like stale wet paper towels but also wasn't yeast, or BV, and it helped (also fun) to give myself many many gspot orgasms, to flush out that gland's plumbing. (I could jut be making this up, but it seemed to help to me -- and its fun, so whatever.)

[ctzntoxie.livejournal.com]

I have the same problem, I've posted about it and I had a lot of responses about me being self concious about it. I'm glad someone else has come forward and said they are dealing with this, and that other people can smell it. I'm considering douching, but I know that will just add insult to injury.

[archangelbeth]

If you do try it, I'd suggest using a vinegar douche, or a boric acid one, and not a perfumey one. A perfumy one may add injury, so to speak.

[sherrila.livejournal.com]

Fenugreek seed tea/supplements make me smell like maple syrup. I don't know if that's any better, but it might have the same effect on you.

I'll also echo the trimming idea. It might help!

[guardiandragon.livejournal.com]

Having extremely sensitive skin AND eczema, I know all about the woes of shaving. I started using the Intuition (razor with built in shaving gel) and I only shave in the shower, usually last thing before I get out. I use emu oil as a skin moisturizer and it really does keep the bumps and itchies down to a minimum. I can shave 2-3 times a week (or almost every other day) and only have minimal discomfort and very rarely a bump or two.

I know that the things we eat can effect bodily excretions. What does your diet look like? Are you eating an abundance of foods that taste strongly (garlic, onions, etc)? Are you drinking enough water? It is often advised to go without any underwear as often as possible to give that area time to air out so to speak. Perhaps sleep without? Also, are you using dryer sheets or fabric softeners/scented laundry detergent? I've noticed that if I use my roommates' detergent or they accidentally throw one of their scented dryer sheets into my laundry, my skin can get irritated and sometimes my smell changes in response to my body getting upset.

If I think of anything else, I will certainly let you know!

[vaguemotives.livejournal.com]

I just want to second the going commando bit. I don't wear underwear about as often as I can help it and my vagina is pretty happy. Also, if it is the discharge that is actually what is smelling, I seem to produce a fair bit less of it when I'm going underwearless and the nethers are getting plenty of breathing room.

And I can vouch on the food factor too. I know when I go on a particularly spicy food eating binge my odor seems not necessarily stinkier but just more stronger/potent.

[littlemissalien.livejournal.com]

I'd also suggest trimming if you don't already, or shaving if you prefer.

The other thing I'd suggest is to drink plenty of water. I find on days when I've not drunk enough, or have had too many dehydrating/diuretic drinks such as coffee and tea that I smell stronger.

I drank 3 large mugs of coffee yesterday at work then spent the rest of the day peeing, so the combined dehydration/urine residue (wiping is only so good, when I'm at home I wash after using the toilet) resulted in me feeling rather whiffy when I got home. I almost smelled like I'd had a good session with my man, but it's been a few days now so I knew it couldn't be (I did ask if him I'd slept through it just in case, lol!).

[tsemed-chemed.livejournal.com]

I echo the drink more water sentiment. Also, perhaps you could try to rinse your vulva after going to the bathroom?

[1girl.livejournal.com]

Is it your discharge that smells? If so, pantiliners might help by soaking up any wetness and wicking it away from the body so it doesn't sit around and start to smell.

[x-memoirs.livejournal.com]

I second this, especially if the OP sweats a lot. I know when I sweat, I tend to smell more down there.

[cuteapple.livejournal.com]

Given all the antibiotics you've been on, you might have an unbalance. Even though you don't have in infection, things might be off kilter. I'll let the VP FAQ explain my suggestion of boric acid and/or ACV far more clearly:

If neither acidophilus nor yogurt cures the yeast, you may need to re-acidify your vagina. Boric Acid (the kind with a National Formulary or other designation showing it's suitable for pharmaceutical use) is efficient, and you can purchase it in the drug store. Dilute it one teaspoon to one cup of warm water and mini-douche daily with the barrel of a syringe, or use a diaphragm jelly inserter which can be bought at the pharmacy without having to buy the jelly, or buy empty 00-sized capsules and fill them with boric acid powder and insert two of them nightly. Don't use if the skin is raw or broken, and discontinue if an irritation develops. This is wet and messy but boric acid is anti-bacterial and will cleanse some non-specific vaginitis as well. According to U-W Madison, "Insert one capsule in the vagina per night for one week, then one capsule twice a week for three more weeks" to treat your yeast. (Click here for links to more info about boric acid, including a fabulous how-to photo essay on making your own capsules!)


Apple cider vinegar douches (two tablespoons vinegar to a pint of warm water) are very effective. Even though yeast flourishes in an acidic environment, there is something in vinegar that inhibits its growth. Vinegar can also inhibit the growth of bacteria and trichomonas by establishing the proper acidity (pH) for the proliferation of "good" bacteria. Don't douche for longer than 10 days.


http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=Yeast_Infection#What_are_some_easy.2C_at-home_methods_to_rebalance_the_vaginal_pH.3F

[eunicemcgee.livejournal.com]

I was thinking this too... I feel like my vagina also starts smelling real strong as soon as I try taking antibiotics, and I also often get yeast infections after taking them.

[life0nmars.livejournal.com]

Very odd that only one other person mentioned your diet. Drinking plenty of water can only do so much sometimes! I know the whole eating pineapple makes guys taste better thing is kind of cliche, but our naughty bits reflect our diet much more than we think.

Are you eating a lot of processed foods, fast foods, snacks? Eating more fruit and veggies might help. Also cutting down on salty foods will help your body stay flushed out better.

[silhouette-noir.livejournal.com]

I noticed that washing with water alone is what gave me a weird smell. When I switched to mild soaps without fragrance, the smell went away AND I didn't get a yeast infection. Also, do you wash down there with a rag? If so, how often do you change your towels and rags?

[ablondejudy19.livejournal.com]

Polyester pants do not breathe and are non-absorbent and may be the cause of the problem if you have to wear them much of the time no matter what kind of underwear you use or don't use. I don't suppose their is any chance of getting your employer to allow cotton pants or a skirt, instead, is there? Your only remedy may be to get out of the polyester as much as you can when not at work. Wearing a skirt, especially if worn without panties of any kind as often as you can is an excellent remedy.

Do you wipe after urinating?

[stinklepotami.livejournal.com]

Some women don't wipe after urination.

I read you don't use soap when you shower. Have you looked into the feminine soaps they sell in the feminine isle? I'm assuming they are PH balanced for cleansing you lady business. They also have flushable cleaning clothes you could use instead of toilet paper.

Hope I helped a little. Good luck!

[cenamen.livejournal.com]

Im reading this a whole year later. I was just wondering if any of the suggestions helped?