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Avatar universal

embarrassing vaginal odor

I am 49 years old, I am not sexually active and have been for about 2 years experiencing  times during the day I smell a strong fishy odor coming from the vaginal area. I bath everyday, I have even started taking personal wipes with me to the restroom so that I can wash up during the day but nothing seems to stop the odor. I wear panty liners so that I can change them and the smell won't get in my clothes. My pap smears are normal. Even though my doctor says that they don't know what causes bacterial vaginitis, and there is no cure that will keep it from reoccuring, I find it  extremely embarrassing. I am more aware of the smell more when I get excited about something. If I go out of town, or go out to lunch, or even go to a meeting, anything that is different from my regular routine, I smell it. The episodes seems to be getting closer together, where else in the very beginning it may have been once every couple of months, not they seem to be ocurring more often. Please help me, what can I do?
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1897534 tn?1340928280
If the otc yeast infection medication didn't work, go to your doc and have her do an exam. Ask her to prescribe fluconazole if you turn out to have a yeast infection. It's an oral Rx, single to two pills, depending on what your doc prescribes, that you take. No messy creams or suppositories. I've had repetitive YI and BV throughout my adult life (thanks to an ex-husband who was a ******************* ************) Anyway! The person who is best able to help you is a certified practitioner.

Tip: If you're prone to YI when using Rx antibiotics, ask your gyn to also prescribe you a Rx to prevent YIs.

Girls, something else to look into is vestibular vaginitis - which I do have. It's a result of having too many yeast infections. Even though your YI has gone away, your body - the nerves especially - may be responding like it still has one. I've been in to my doc for pain, itching, stinging, swelling and redness, and "odor" and haven't had an infection. If this is the case for you, look into it. :)  


To Everyone else who is afraid to go to your doctor. Let me put this very bluntly. Your vagina is beautiful and unique to you...but it is also only a vagina and your physician has seen many of them. Don't be embarrassed to get help. It's disrespectful to yourself and your own body to not be seen by a gynecologist. Plus, it's better to go through the few moments of embarrassment and be treated and get better than to avoid it all together and feel like utter sh**, right?  

Finally:
Don't stick anything up your vagina that isn't prescribed to you! Ex: Unless you hear from your own doctor's lips to put yogurt on a tampon and shove it up there, don't. Avoid anything with glycerin in it - BE CAREFUL of lubes especially. It's not as highly known as it should be that glycerin can cause YI and I didn't even know they were in lubes until my CNP told me about it. (Also, if you use any masterbatory aids (vibrators, etc.,) thoroughly clean them before and after each use, also with dye- and scent-free soup.) Dove non-scented, dye-free soap is what I've been told to use by my CNP. Also, don't use ANYTHING with scents - Summers Eve sprays, douching, etc. - because the chemicals that make up the "fragrance" can cause BV and YI. If you must use a wet-wipe during your period, try using sensitive skin, scent-free baby wipes.

Don't use bubble bath or bath salts, also because of fragrances and oils. Don't shave your legs or wash your hair and/or body, while sitting in a tub of water. I relax in a tub, sit on the edge of the tub to shave and suds up my body, then shower quick to wash my hair and rinse everything off. This seems to help, too. Oh, and wipe front to back, not back to front, even if you've only urinated. Use cotton pads during your period, not tampons, and make sure to change them every time you go to the bathroom to avoid holding bacteria so close to your body. Tampons harbor bacteria. I had a friend who kept getting YI and they went away when she stopped using tampons.

Yogurts have acidophilis which is a probiotic that helps with digestion and maintaining happy girl parts. Cranberries are a diuretic - they flush impurities out of your system. So drinking a glass of cranberry juice a day will also help you to keep a clearer urinary system. Water (even if it ***** and is icky, imo) is also good for your entire body.
Finally, I will re-iterate on what other posters have said:

PEE AFTER YOU HAVE SEX! It is important to do that.


Your body is like a self-cleaning oven...let it do its job.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hi!

I am 32 and my bf for 3months told me that i smell strong down there.So i was sad and and felt embarassing.My nurse  friend told me that i maybe had yeast infection,so she recommend me of buying suppository.Which i did and used it for 7dyas in a row as prescribed.After 2weeks,i had a sexuall intercourse with my bf,but still have the same smell?i think the suppositories that i bought i not working?what should i do?please do help.

thanx,
lonely girl
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hi!

I am 32 and my bf for 3months told me that i smell strong down there.So i was sad and and felt embarassing.My nurse  friend told me that i maybe had yeast infection,so she recommend me of buying suppository.Which i did and used it for 7dyas in a row as prescribed.After 2weeks,i had a sexuall intercourse with my bf,but still have the same smell?i think the suppositories that i bought i not working?what should i do?please do help.

thanx,
lonely girl
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi. I'm 16 years old and for 5 years, i have been experiencing vaginal odors. It's very embarassing. I'm a virgin, very irregular period (got it about a year ago, year and a half) and VERY scared to go to the gyn. Couple months ago, my mom bought me canesten, thinking i had a yeast infection. It didn't change anything... What should i do? Help me please. Tho everyday, my panties are full of sweat and i'm always... wet (vagina)?, i noticed, that if i ate too much candy/chocolate, the odor is so much stronger and there is much more fluid, the next day. I'm so scared that people around me in class can smell it or something... Any solutions?!
Helpful - 0
1874689 tn?1320392004
I am new On this Blog plz soem oen help :( itz like i have no life! i never had any bf relationship bt got sexually abuse in my childhood :( due to this vagina Odor i am not able to make any relationship :( I am 20 and really want some One to help me ! God Bless u all Abundantly Amen  
Helpful - 0
1874689 tn?1320392004
plz some one help me for this vaginal odor!
Helpful - 0
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