vaginal smell after sex

[barelymarried]

I am 21 years old and have been married for almost 4 months. I have noticed that after sex, I have a foul smell from my vagina. My husband and I were both virgins when we got married, and obviously there is no one else. I always empty my bladder and clean off after sex. The smell seems to be more noticable if we've had more sex in a short period of time. Also the smell doesn't show up until usually the next day, but lingers for a day or two! I feel like the whole world can smell it! Also, there is no discharge, and I've had yeast infections before so I know its not that. I am on birth control, ortho tricyclin.  Please let me know if there is anything that I can do about this! Otherwise I have my yearly appt in 3 months....

[AnnieBrooke]

It sounds a lot like bacterial vaginosis, an infection noted specifically for a foul smell.  Probably should push up your ob-gyn appointment and see if they will check for it.  Both partners should be treated, if that is what it is.

[islandprincess]

that sounds like an yest infection in deed.....& remember sperms live up to about 2 days in a ladies vagina so hence the reason for the smell lasting for 2 days & more...so really check  OB on the real hon...one island love...:)

[lucylocket2]

I agree with both of the above. What about using a douch? Wonder if that would help for the time being. I was so worried when I first got married I did it a lot. Your not suposed to though. So. I saved the bottle and filled it with warm water and did it that way. I don't know if it's good or not. I would post and ask other people too. Try eating yogurt. It will help.

[Wanting]

LOL you are too funny!  I agree with you.

[mslkpage]

Sometimes, it's scary what gets posted on here, and sometimes, it's just damn silly. All of us TTC'ers would be reeking to high heaven if the sperm was making us funky.

barelymarried, it does sound like BV. See if you can't move your dr's appt. up. Call and tell his nurse about your symptoms, and I bet they can get you in early.

[islandprincess]

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Maternal/archive/3106.html......read it >...:)

[mslkpage]

She's not saying that sperm can't live for 2 days. She's saying that is NOT what causes odor.

Seminal fluid mixing with the bacteria caused by BV can cause odor, but this has nothing to do with how long sperm live.

[Mertek]

I read that sperm living for two days makes you stinky and I just about fainted. I wondered if my coworkers could smell something I couldn't!! Hahahaha

Barelymarried, like others have said, go to the dr and have him/her check for the BV.

If all else fails hang an air freshener tree from your belt loop. :)

[islandprincess]

lol.....ok....guys what is BV???

[mslkpage]

Go back up to AnnieBrooke's answer. BV = bacterial vaginosis.

[mthillbilly]

i have been teated for bv and all the other infections there are, and have come back clean. the odor is only after sex, and lingers for about two days. if we use a condom- no odor, any sggestions?

[mthillbilly]

i should clarifyprevious statement.  i have been treated for bv. i have been tested for other infections and they are negative i have been married for 3 yrs now and there is no cheating from either of us.

[cruzangrl]

I have had the same problem for a while. I have been married for 6 years. I only have the odor the next day after having intercourse and it lasts for about 2 days. After this there is no odor. If we use a condom, there is no odor at all for me either.

I will say it is nice to hear that someone else is experiencing this. I do know for a fact that I do not have any diseases. And yes, any suggestions would be helpful for me also.

[fairygirl90]

i have had the same problem...and I am also free of any infections or diseases....so there is a reason...but what can we do to fix it?

[purpleky]

Re: Vaginal odor 1-2 days after ejaculation

Have the same problem with my current partner-- Gyno advised the PH of his semen was probably different than my vagina, resulting in a nasty smell.  The problem is easily solved by having him not ejaculate inside me!  :)

[papasmurfsprincess]

they have this new product called refresh, you can use it after sex and it helps cause I was on orthro tri cyclen lo, and I seemed to have the same problem cause we had sex sometimes 4 times a day and the best thing to do is take a shower and wash up really good.

[DontWinkAtMe]

I have been searching now for an hour to find out why my boyfriend's semen seems to make my vagina smell HORRIBLE.  I am glad to see it is just not me that has this problem!  That is interesting what someone posted about his PH being different.  Does that rePHresh stuff actually work I wonder?? Has anyone used  it after sex to successfully prevent this?

[moyashi]

Rephresh is used every three days and the whole ph thing is what causes this most of the time. the vagina is acidic, with a natural ph level of around 4.5. your partners semen may be a little higher than this which makes the vagina more basic than it should causing the annoying smell, sometimes comes with itching too. rephresh is a vaginal gel that helps maintain the vagina's ph to a healthy level getting rid of this problem altogether. I hope rephresh helps you because having the odor can be problematic at times, and may affect your sexual activities. good luck ladies!

[MarriediAM]

im so glad that im not the only one with this problem.we are trying for a baby and i thought that maybe his semen was bad or something.so hopefully this will not hurt us while trying to get pregnant.thank you ladies.

[andee987]

i had protected sex with my boyfriend this afternoon and within a span of 15 mins, he inserted in twice, both times with new condom (he came the first time outside).
however, my vagina smells really strong, even up to now.
why????

[addysmom]

OMG...I am SOOOO happy that people are going through the same thing as me!  WOW!  I never had a problem with this until after I had my daughter and AFTER I had my Mirena IUD put in.  The first time I noticed it I was tested for BV...came back positive...was treated...came back.  I am on my 4th round of antibiotics....and I have been splitting a 14 day course with my husband.  My doctor did say it could be related to my PH changing since having a baby and it mixing with my husbands semen.  I have also noticed that there is no symptoms if we use a condom.  (WHICH I HATE!)  Its so embarrasing....I can seriously smell it while doing daily chores...so I am sure others can smell it....on top of that I have read that untreated BV can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease....which can lead to sterility.....my question is this....

If I continue to get BV....does that mean I am at increased risk for PID???

[cazza2306]

I am 40 & started having sex with my new partner the problem is that my vagina stinks not only after sex but worst during it.Its that bad the room even stinks.My partner has also commented on it & its got that bad that im thinking of ending the relationship. please help as i dont know what else to do i am always washing myself but nothing helps

[meg78]

Hi guy's i also have the same thing going on  with me. I am also trying to have a baby . so what do i do to get rid of the smell ? and do i use a ****** a day or 2 after sex ?  i dont want to kill any of the sperm but i dont want to smell either.

[frog487]

I thought I was the only one having that problem. After my husband and I finish having sex I dont smell anything. But the day after it smell really really bad and I have try everything to get rid of the smell, but nothing seem to work. Even when I am work I smell myself and I OFTEN WONDER CAN ANYONE ELSE SMELL ME. That if so embarrassing to walk around smelling like that and wonder can someone else smell you. I hated it so bad that i wanted to stop having sex with my husband. What Can We Do Ladies On The REAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[happilymarried110306]

I have been married a year and a half and I have the same problem.  Right after sex you cant smell anything but after a few hours you can start to smell it and last for several days.  i work in a warehouse so it gets hot in the building and i know other people can smell it.  I dont know what to do.  i know your diet has a lot to do with it.  i have been told to eat yogurt and pineapple but the same goes for your man. with the sperm mixing with your secretions the smell begins.  douching is very bad for you but i dont know what to do......

[michgrl]

Soooo, I've noticed "that smell" after unprotected sex, for up to a couple days.  And I'm not a doctor or anything but it seems kinda logical (barring infections etc) that the smell is decaying semen.  My vagina didn't smell when I wasn't having sex and it only smells after there's been a deposit of semen and only for a short period of time.

[Greek_Babe]

I am 34 & have been frustrated with this problem for the almost 4 years of my marriage.  I always thought it was my husband's sperm in me that smells. If he pulls out then I do not smell at all and that is great!Unfortunately, if he does not pull out then I have this nasty smell coming out of me for about 2 days, no matter how many showers I take, & since we are trying to get pregnant and have been having sex almost every day, I have to put up with this nasty scent more often.  It is very overwhelming and so I will definitely have my gynecologist help me, even though I have been embarrassed to bring it up to her after all of these years.

[mercy725]

I've had this problem for a while, that is B4 I read about regular old PEROXIDE!! Yes! I said PEROXIDE! All you have to do is get a TURKEY BASTER after sex and fill it half way w/peroxide, next u wanna get into a comfy position on the floor lying on ur back legs open and insert the baster into ur vagina and squeeze not too much pressure just enough to let the peroxide circulate in your vagina and let it sit there for a minute, some of u may feel a slight burn if the inside of your vagina is already sore from the BV, but some may not. The peroxide will start to foam, stand up and let it run out. Repeat this process about (3) times and you should be free from the odor and the BV immediately. Follow up the rinse w/reg old H20 but insert it the same way, w/the Baster. Make sure you do this after sex, and you'll never have to worry about the smell again. I

I also found it helpful to take 1600 miligrams of Folic acid daily, as well as ACIDOPHILUS. I also use a product by Natures Secret called CandidaCleanse. It's a 2 part formula that works by ridding your body of BAD BACTERIA and replaces it w/GOOD BACTERIA. By getting rid of the BAD BACTERIA your eliminating yeast which ALSO causes BV ;)

I hope I saved a few relationships (smiles)

[mercy725]

I almost forgot. You also may want to take **** Quai as well as Primrose Oil to make sure you're fully lubricated daily. This wards off Yeast and Bv as well.
Also another trick if you have a YEAST INFECTION which u MAY have if you have Bv is to take Alka Seltzer. It has citric acid in it as well as Asprin that helps cure u IMMEDIATELY! I KNOW! I've used A LOT of stuff w/trial and error. And Yes, the Rephresh DOES work, BUT, as SOON as you stop using it u get a yeast infection ( @ least I did) and your vagina becomes USE to it. And who wants to keep buying it for $15 bucks when u can SOLVE ur problem for less than $5 ;) and get healthier in the process :)

Supplements I take:

Acidophilous
Flax Seed Oil
Primrose Oil
Black Cohosh
**** Quai
Folic Acid
Cranberry Extract

Please feel free to send questions if you have any. I KNOW how embarrassing and irritating this can be.

[mary5678]

im on ortho try cyclen lo also. my boyfriend and i are both each other's first partner. for some reason my urine seems to smell after having protected sex. at one point when i was younger i thought i was allergic to latex but now i dont think that i ever really was. could that be causing the smell?  at first i thought that it was a yeast infection or a urinary tract infection so i drank a lot of cranberry juice. it burns a little but not really. sometimes i even notice a fishy smell that i havent ever had before.

[Moonsooz]

I am SO grateful to have found this page!  I am an educated woman, married for 13 years.  I, too, have a foul odor that starts the morning after sex and lasts for 24 - 36 hrs or so, but I had assumed it must be normal, because I don't have it otherwise, don't have a discharge, I've had it with previous partners, and  I HAVE had BV twice in the past, but the foul odor then was much stronger and fishy.  But then I got concerned about this after-sex smell recently after an aunt mentioned that a male friend was complaining that his girlfriend smells "down there" after sex...and my aunt said something like "she must not be very clean."  WHAT???  Of course I didn't tell her I had the same issue!!!  Yikes!!  Just hopped on the computer ASAP.  I'm buying the Ph explanation.  Having your ph off can allow the wrong bacteria to grow...causing the odor...After his semen is all out your ph returns to normal and your good bacteria take back over and the odor fades. I wonder, too, though, if my bacteria balance could also use some help, since this has happened with previous partners.  I'll try eating more yogurt or acidophilus. But I take 500 mg of vit C every night (works well to prevent BLADDER infections, to which I'm prone) which makes my system more acidic already....hmmm.  I might have to run this by my MD after all.  The peroxide ****** sounds practical.  Oh - any yeast infections (by themselves) in the past have never had a detectable odor.  Let's stay sensible!
Thanks for sharing!!

[staciakevin]

I also experience that terrrible fishy odor after sex.  It usually occurs the day after and my husband says he sometimes smells it on himself for a week or two.  We have been trying to conceive for 4 months and i am using Clomid.  We have to have sex everyother day during my "ovulation time" and it really gets embarassing to know that you smell like a dead fish and it is true that you feel like everyone can smell it on you!   I do have a follow-up appt with the OBGYN on sept. 15, so maybe i will mention this to my doctor.  We haven't really had this problem before and we have been together for 16 years and married for 11 years.maybe it is because we are older and our systems are changing and like a few people have said....it could be the pH levels don't jive.

[mysteriousbrat]

ive just got diagnosed with vb. makes me hate having sex cuz thats the only reason i got it. i did some research and i have a few remedies that works. u can make a ****** out of vinegar and water (also good for tightening vaginal walls). u can use acidephilious yogurt (no sugar added) and soak it in tampon and insert it vagina( u can add tea tree oil). you can also get tea tree oil (a few drops) mix it with water  and ******. or u can crush garlic (kills bacteria)or chew it. all of this helps  kill bacteria obviously and vinegar helps with ph balance, alkaline as well. more benefits than 1 with these and it works :)). hope  this helps u. also helpful if u change diet. stay away from sugars(feeds yeast , multiplies) breads (made with yeast) beer( yeast). fruits and veggies and herbal teas if u wish.

[MOMOF3GGB]

Just started reading the postings on this subject.  Glad to know I'm not the only one out here.  I've been having this issue for quite sometime.  Been married for 13 years, had 3 kids and have never experienced it until maybe a year or so ago.  Have had lots of yeast infections, bladder infections and bacterial issues, over the years but especially noticed them after I had my IUD put in.  Started taking a candida clease treatment - which really helped for the yeast infections but not the smell.  I buy the whole PH thing but I'm a little, okay, a lot, skeptical on the 'turkey baster' remedy.  Do you only need to do this 1 time or just 1 time, everytime after having sex?  I can't imagine that would be good for you.  I suppose at this point, I'm willing to try anything.  I'm not worried about having any more kids, we're done, in fact, just had an ovary removed - just looking for some good times, without an odor, for the many more years to come.  Thanks.

[MALAYSHIA]

HOW ABOUT A CORNCHIP SMELL AFTER SEX

[Aineekhan]

i have a spurm smell problem plzzzzzzz tell me what kind of madicens use and next time care plzzzzzzzzzz cz my boy friend told me its very bad smell so i am worry about this problem

[mother03]

I have been married for 14 years and have 3 kids. My husband had a v-sec after my third (she is 5). Therefore he has no semen. I had an IUD placed and taken out several years ago.I have had an odor after sex that lasts 2-3 days as well, for a couple of years. I go to regular ob visits without incident.

My question is if he has no semen can there still be a PH thing?

Also the first 10 years of our marriage nothing as far as odors.

[MsGaPeach]

I have also suffered from the foul odor after intercourse with my husband that lasts 2-3 days.  (I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with this issue!)  Like some of you, I only get the bad odor if he ejaculates inside my vagina.  If he withdraws or uses a condom there is no bad odor afterward.  I've had an occasional yeast infection, but usually my test results are fine.  My doctor said this is how my pH levels react to semen, thus causing the odor.  In my opinion, his semen simply makes me stink!  As time goes by I smell more and more like rotten boiled fish and it lasts for several days after intercourse.  It's quite embarrassing.

My doctor said I should clean myself with plain warm water and wait it out.  I sometimes ****** w/plain warm water after sex, but it's usually not enough to get rid of the smell.  After reading several posts I decided to try a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) rinse.  I used a 1:2 ratio of peroxide to water last night in a ****** bottle.  To my surprise, this morning the odor was gone!  I'm finally back to my "normal" smell.  Yay!  (I'll hold off on sex for a while so I can enjoy this! )

[NurseSam]

I have also had this problem, but I don't think it has to do with the semen... or, it is just a part of the mix of it. My guy had a vasectomy done, so has to no sperm in his ejaculate. I hope it is not a bacterial infection. It was my first time, so I don't have anything to compare it to. So, any suggestions or comments I would like to hear. By the way, all the above comments have been pretty helpful.

[GRose]

There are still bodily fluids that come out when your husband ejaculates, so it could very well be that your vaginas pH is getting messed up from that.
You can get a vagisal screening kit that can tell you what may be wrong, I would try that OR just call your gyno and get an appointment.

[princess8]

Ladies,
   First off THANK YOU all for your honesty here.  I, like many of you thought I was alone here and had no idea what to do!  I wanted to let you all know that I did try the RePhresh product and found that it worked within the first day of treatment.  The product can be purchased in the "women's health" section of any drug store.  It retails for about $20 and is a month long supply (it can be used every three days).  I do want to throw out one warning about it though...I used it one morning then took a romantic bubble bath with my BF in the same day.  The ointment was flushed out of my vagina and ended up having a more foul odor when it mixed with the bath product.  Warning...don't soak in the tub the same day!!!

[cbrewer]

I have been married for about two years now. Not long after being married my husband commented on how I would smell really strong before sex, when I was becoming aroused. Since then it has gotten worse, to the point that now we don't do to much because of the smell. The only times the smell is bad is before sex and during that time of the month. I am going to try changing my diet, more fruits veggies, and yogurt, but I was wondering if there was anything else I can do.

[SkakaZulu]

Oh my gosh, I'm so sick of this smell after sex!  It's frustrating to have this odor after sex especially since I'm so sensitive to smells.  My husband (after 16 years says he doesn't smell a thing (honestly) but I think that's partially because I wait the day or so later til it's waned a bit and not so noticeable.  After being treated for BV I usually keep the unused portion of the metrogel in case I get that fishy smell again and treat myself for another 5 days while I'm on my period (best excuse not to have sex for us and it's under radar - he thinks I'm overreacting so I do it indescretely).  We've been trying to become pregnant for our 2nd so I'm really BUGGED by this constant new fishy odor - I KNOW it can hinder getting pregnant or encourage miscarrying.  I'm so glad I found that it's probably HIS problem finally - ha ha... that it's his pH that could be throwing me off.  So, I take acidophilus pills daily - but it doesn't seem to help.  I think I'm ready to try the sugar free yogurt tampon idea.  How long do I leave it in?  And also, what about the peroxide ******... will that be bad if I'm trying to conceive?  Won't it upset all kinds of things?  OH!  And how about a diet for HIM?  Should he eat more of something to help me too?  THANK YOU!!!    

[binglebongle]

I have also been experiencing this problem recently (within a 14 yr relationship). At first I thought he must be up to something and i had all tests and everything is ok. It does annoy me though that the Drs just pass this off as nothing (ie the comments' just clean up and deal with the odor for 2 days!). It affects your whole day when you can smell it and you are sure everyone else can....
I am trying to get pregnant so I dont want to go sticking peroxide up there... but other than that there seems no other remedy..

also, just on the partners with vasectemies- they still have everything else except spermatozoa come out with each ejaculation. And this other fluid (which is there to sustain the sperms) is different to the Ph of the vagina (it is also meant to protect the sperm from the acidity of the vagina so they can get though to the womb). So even after vacetemy the fluid entering the vagina could cause this problem - if it indeed is the Phhat is the problem.

i really hope there is a natual or easy way to fix this and that we find out soon as it REALLY puts me off wanting to have sex.....

[younganddumb89]

My girlfriend and i have been together for a while, im 19 years old and never had a girl... that smelled. we recently got sexualy active, i hadent noticed the smell the first few times, but the more we did it the more it smelled after.The smell only lasted a few hours. We shower after sex and she also goes to the washroom.

ive been reading up on some forums and ppl say it could be from the sperm? that the sperm smells from a bad diet, which my diet is far from good.

what should i do?

[vicky182]

I have the same foul odor problem after my fiance ejaculates inside of me.  I shower and have very good hygiene.  If he ejaculates inside of me, it doesn't smell until the next day, but the smell is strong and actually disgusts me.  It is definitely not my natural smell, so I thought it must have came from his sperm.  Glad to know others have this experience.  I am in my late 20s...why hasn't anyone ever talked about this to me?  Why have I never read about this in Cosmo?  Smelly vaginas caused by sperm!

[reyna73]

I have the same horrible smell but only when I'm having sex - after an orgasm, I don't smell it any other time, the outside of my vagina doesn't smell; it's something inside...I wash after sex and it's gone but it's definitely ruining my sex life because all I can think about during sex is "the smell".  I always use condoms so my situation has nothing to do with sperm.  My doctor recommended pills (trazodone) and a gel (vandazole), it cleared it up for a few months but it's back.  I HATE IT!!!! I'm very very clean, almost psychotic clean when it comes to by vagina so this situation is driving me crazy especially because I don't know it's happening until I'm having sex.  I wish I could find a cure for ever!  I'm going to try the Peroxide and eat lots of yogurt and will let you all know!!! lol

[freakydeak017]

So my boyfriend and i have been sexually intimate for four months. One day after having unprotected sex, which we've always had... My bf attempted to initiate some oral sex. So as i was about to do my thing... I took a whiff, and boy did his winker stink! Of course i said ewww it stinks. So he says, well if i'm inside of you then the smell must be from you. When he said this i explained to him that its probably the unprotected sex...and semen is basic and vaginal fluid is acidic and that ejaculation inside the vagina can cause a pH imbalance, hence causing an odor. Then he says well to be honest, its always been like that, you've always had an odor. So i'm like freakin out... SO EMBARASSED... He's telling me that its probably my diet... You know, "you are what you eat." I had a Pap smear a few days ago. My doctor said everything looked good. If there was an odor would she have said anything? I'm still waiting on the results but i'm confident that there isn't any disease or infection going on down there. I have no symptoms at all, but apparently i have this odor.
PLEASE HELP ME.

[candywilson]

it is soooo good to know that other people have the same issue i have! the odor i experience becomes apparent DURING sex...like 30 seconds into intercourse. i don't smell it for days afterward, though; as soon as i shower the smell is gone...on the outside anyway! i have been diagnosed with bv, but the prescription didn't work the last time i used it about a month ago. i have the little tubes of gel that you have to insert...i also drank alcohol while on it one night and you aren't supposed to so i wonder if that is what made it not work....must be a problem some women get after babies because i never had this problem before...and what is this about both partners needing to be treated? does my hubby need a scrip, too?

[zsassygirl]

I have been married for 19 yrs and have that same issue with fishy smell after my husband ejaculates in me though he had a vasectomy yrs ago.I believe its the ph balance that is off balance.I once had my gyno tell me some peoples chemicals don't mix. I was hating having sex knowing I would smell fishy for the next day.I'm glad i found this site it makes me feel better I'm not the only one dealing with this.I'm in my young 40's and thats enough to deal with the wrinkles,chin hairs, and bags under the eyes....Don't need a smelly coochie too....
thank you  for your info

[sophie33]

Hello Everyone!

I would just like to say that this seems like a huge problem!
I have this problem also, thought it was me, was embrassed of the foul fishy smell that carries with you where ever you go, I had bv, took antibiotics, it came back but with a bladder infection, i had to take probiotics and go back and forth from the antibiotics and its becoming a game.  Let me tell you I was with the same partner for 17 years and never ever had a problem in the vagina smelling department!!!

A year and a half a go, i met my boyfriend now who would tell me how his last girl friend would smell so bad like a skunk, i was well ok?

Anyway, once we started to have sex, i started to notice the smell i was having and thought, oh no, than i thought it was him, maybe it was him who had an infection and gave it to her and me, or he passed it to me, anyway my doctor said it was normal!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey this is not normal!!!!

Something is going on here, how can all of a sudden many woman are having the same problem.  When i noticed the smell i was having,it really started to affect me and my life, i have noticed so many new products at the drug stores for this, so i said to myself this must be a big problem to start making these products.

So somethings is going on, maybe a new virus, or something in food, or medications, or tampons or pads, it has to be something that men or woman are using or eating or transmitting to make woman from all ages and classes smell bad after intercourse!!!

We have to get to the bottom of this cause its out of control.  This is not going to stop from changing your diet or washing yourself, i believe the PH is being altered but from what????

Another Doctor said i could be allergic to my mates semen, after all the years i am now allergic? Come on, its bigger than that, we have to get to the source or it will always happen.  You have to get to the root of the problem,
My uterus has since dropped and im getting very worried.  Intercourse is painful at times too.

Why are our bodies rejecting semen?

So I hope they find out why there is an epic amount of woman with this bad smell after sex.  
I am very happy im not alone in this.

Please if there are any doctors out there that know the real truth please fill us in.

Thanks for all your honesty ladies, and guys please we are clean, be nice and supportive of your ladies.

Thanks sophie

[divalishous]

Why hadn't I ever heard this before???  I have been married for about 8 months and although I have had other partners before I ALWAYS used condoms and so there was never an odor.  However since we have been married we stopped using condoms and he would ejaculate inside of me.  First of all, it would gross me out so bad at first, having to do the whole scoot your rear to the edge of the bed and waddle to the bathroom wutg your towel diaper in place so it won't run.  I had no idea this happened, they don't show this **** in the movies.  Secondly I started to notice a strange smell the day after, kind of like fish food.  So the next time I jumped in the shower afterward and hosed it down... only to find there was STILL a strange smell the next day.  

What the HECK?  I have always loved sex but honestly sometimes avoid it because I don't want to deal with the smell.  PH balance really?  I am terrified to put peroxide in my hoo hoo.  Anybody else?

This is a much more common problem than I thought, over 50 women on this forum alone.  There has to be something to fix it.  Please let us know what you all find out.

[saratoga111]

OK - so I too have this problem. It puts me in a BAD mood when I wake up smelling like a dead fish. ugh. So I read Sophie 33's post and I have to agree. I think this is a problem bigger than the dr's want to say. Or really they don't have the time to care.

I did some research on PH...very interesting. It means "Power of Hydrogen". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PH

I think it's an environmental issue.  My husband drinks A LOT of tap water. I don't think our water is as clean as everyone says it is. Just a theory...

To deal with the smell I'll spray spray spray bath and body works all over for 2 days! Even then it doesn't do much. =( Such an unfair situation for us all.  

[JessicaC86]

Every time I have sex the next day there is a foul odor & it also lasts for a couple of days. I don't think it's Bacterial Vaganosis because I just had a pap smear a week ago & everything came out normal. I personally think it's the sperm that leaks out because I also notice I seem to have a bit more discharge than normal after having sex even though I bathe & wash down there.

[spottedwolf]

Me and my boyfriends have been together for 7 years and I too have this problem.  It is a problem cause we have sex a few times a week.  He will be like did you wash down there, I am like yes I get a shower every morning after sex, other wise it it in the evening, but it is every day.  I thought there might be something wrong with my body but my PAP came back regular not thing there.  So unless I am allergic to his stuff or one of our PHs is off what else could it be.  When I talked to him about it he said no one else he had been with had that problem and that it has been this way since we got together.  We have never used protection cause I knew he was clean so I had nothing to worry about.  I know there has got to be someone out there that knows what the real problem here is, and I am thinking that there is more to it than just PH being off.  If that were the problem GYNOs would give us something to correct that issue.  

[boobahda]

Finally there are women out there who understand..Okay My deal is a bit different..If my b/f & I havent had sex for a long time, It smells..really bad for 2-3 days..& if we have sex everyday..Then it doesnt smell...Its as if the production of sperm has something to do with it...Ive been tested, and nothing came up.  & I researched it...& thank God I know im not the only one... My BF & I were trying to educate our selves on this but really didnt know what to think.

[luckybunny]

Why hasn't cosmo written about this?  I say we all send them this link.  I am 23 years old and have been having sex since I was 16.  And have  had sex a cuzillion times. I have never been on birth control, therefore I always use condoms.  Only three times has someone ejaculated in me (3 different people, so no corrolation there), and all three times I have had this odor. Unfortunaley my odor lasts for a week, not just a few days (but so does my period, so i guess my vagina walls move slow, lol) I have had numerouse yeast infections and have a BV once prior to this, so i like to think that I am very familiar with my body.  It took me a while to find this site, but I am so glad that i am not alone.  However, now that I know in fact it is the semen this makes want to continue to use my ol' faithful condom method.  But what happens when I do get serious with an individual and am ready to stop using  condoms and abandon the pulling out method?  Will I just have to deal with my seafood restaraunt!!!!!!!!  Yikes, I hate to say, but I have been praised by men, because of my emaculately clean and tasty vagina! lol! and would like to keep it that way.  So I guess til we figure this out it will be no sperm= no smell and when u let the fishies swim--out comes the fish market!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  COSMO PETITION!!!!!!!!!!!!

[purebeauty06]

i too suffer from the same problem, my question is for those ladies who were trying to get pregnant, did it stop you from getting pregnant or were you succesful?

[MysticMae]

I have to say that I'm very happy right now.  I'm relieved to know that I'm not a freak.  It's so hilarious because I take so much pride in my children and home being spotless (or as close too it as possible). When it comes to me?  Well I've been known to wash myself with scalding hot water just because I thought it would help the odor go away (hey it helps when disinfecting bathroom and kitchen bacteria, right?!).  So here I am, burning my lil Cooch when the answer was here all along.

I must say, I resented my boo for making it such an 'issue' but there are a lot of times when I do notice I smell very pungent.  THERE'S AN ANSWER!  He + Me = Stinky!  Lol.  I definitely want to try a lot of herbal remedies, I know that will help a lot. But funny enough he suggested that I change my diet, but not so fast Mr. Slick...YOU WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE YOURS TOO!  The pH in BOTH of us is resulting in this foul odor.  So HA!  I'm so linking this whole page to him.  I hope he gets red in the face and apologizes for making me feel like a nasty freakshow.  

[ineedhellllllp]

How long does semen discharge from your vagina after sex. I have been told that it will survive for a couple of days in there but do some women still get a semen discharge 3-4 days after having sex?

[thelegendreturns]

I blame the sperm too!
Every time I have sex with my boyfriend I get a smelly vagina the first two days after. I'm convinced his sperm changes my PH balance.
With other boyfriends I dind't have this problem so I told my boyfriend that his sperm *****!
It actually kind of makes me not want to have sex with him because everytime it takes a few days to 'refresh.'
Maybe, we're just not PH compatible, lol.
I'm definitely going to try the peroxide.

[Venus_de_Milo]

Wow, so glad to have found this page. I have this problem with my new boyfriend. I was married before and, in eight years with him, I never had this problem. With my boyfriend, though, it started the day after and it's been two days of this odor so far. Luckily (for the purposes of this issue) we're in a long-distance relationship, so I won't see him again for nearly three weeks. I'll try the vinegar douche and post back.

[kica]

i've had the same issues and that's the reason i looked up the problem today.

i'll tell you, i tried a pill for vaginal odor and it seemed to work so wonderful!!! the only drawback is that it's about $70 for a months supply. here is the link http://www.femanol.com/

i also saw this today while looking things up, i haven't read reviews on it yet tho... http://www.aragonproducts.com/theproducts.cfm?master=5882

the second one is a lil cheaper... i haven't taken the femanol in a while so i can't recall how it was with the after sex odor...

but i thought i'd put my thoughts in!

[missgeevee]

Ok ladies,

The odor you're experiencing is NOT a bad mixing of you and your man's PH levels.

The foul odor that begins after several hours of ejaculation iside of your vagina, is the sperm/semen beginning to decompose...you naturally are going to smell this for a few days after having sex.  

Check it out, next time you and you man have sex, use a condom and make sure he ejaculates into it.  After a couple days or so, I promise you, the semen inside that condom will start to smell to the high heavens, and therefore you will see exactly what smell is obviously going to occur inside of you if the semen is deposited in your vagina...its just the natural, normal, decomposure/decay of the semen.

I hope this helps clear up a lot of worries!

Cheers!

[strawberryice]

Hi, Just wanted to follow up on truebeauty06's question - have any of the women experiencing this odor after sex who were trying to conceive managed to?

I also have noticed a strong smell the day after sex with my husband.   I have never experienced this before with previous partners.  It is often so strong that I need to wear a pantiliner the next day otherwise the odor goes to my clothes.  The odor is only there after intercourse and is not there at any other time.  My husband's semen does smell stronger than that of my previous partners, not a foul smell, just strong.

We have been trying to conceive for three years, have had all the fertility tests (and std tests) in the book, and they can find nothing wrong, in other words no obvious reason why we can't get pregnant.  So, just wondering if this could somehow be a factor.  We haven't mentioned it to the fertility clinic as were too embarassed to do so!

Has anyone else linked this odor after sex to problems getting pregnant?

Thanks!

[aimee6282]

I've had this problem for some time. Currently married but have had previous relationships and have found that it only occurs with those men who were heavy beer drinkers. Haven't been able to find anything to prove it,  but I am convinced it has something to do with how the beer affects a man's ph levels. Haven't had problems with infections associated with this (had them when I was younger so I know what they're like). It's a different smell and for me is almost immediate and can last days after ejaculation. I did not have that "smell" with partners who were not heavy drinkers. Anyone else see a relationship between beer and "the funk"? I usually have to douche immediately after sex, using only warm water, but do a pretty thorough job and that gets rid of it. Kinda kills that spur of the moment stuff though. I've had a hysterectomy so the semen doesn't "linger" as long, or go as far as before my surgery, so have had better success getting it gone now.

[milliehelp]

i myself have this problem also, i tried for 5 years to have a baby, eventually it worked after many attempts of fertility..............could this may have something to do with it?  we have been trying again for the last 2 years and still no pregnancy......must must must try and research!!!

[LyssaLee]

I am so glad to hear that I am NOT the only one having this problem!!! It makes me feel REALLY gross!! I have been tested for STD'S, Bacterial Infections, I have no Yeast, I just dont get it!!! I was in a relationship for four years, and I had this problem because we had unprotected sex! I never got pregnant. Now, I have been married for three years to someone else, and AGAIN.. we have unprotected sex, I get the "smell" and I STILL can not get pregnant! My Doctor tested me for infertility, and found nothing wrong with me. The only thing I know FOR SURE is I have this smell, I have pain during intercourse most of the time, I have NOT gotten pregnant while trying for SEVEN YEARS, and my doctors say theres nothing wrong with me.. I could use ANY help ANYONE has to offer!!!!!!! Maybe this is some vaginal disease that has not been discoverd yet.. I just dont get it!!! HELP PLEASE!!

[differentnames4thesamething]

I'm also glad to see I'm not the only one dealing with this. I've never had this issue before, not with previous partners or with my husband until after I had my second child with him. My first pregnancy was from a different relationship, no stinky with partners after my firstborn and none with my hubs before our daughter was born, but now...I honestly dread sex and have started avoiding it because of the smell...to the point im just laying there waiting for him to finish thinking of nothing but how quickly I can get to the shower to hose my hoo-ha down. Maybe if the sex was better I'd be more willing to put up with the smell after, but that's a whole other issue. lol. I also have the mirena implant...iud's seem to be a factor in a lot of these posts...has anyone noticed a difference after removing theirs? Also, I have poly-cystic ovarian syndrome which causes some hormonal issues...does anyone else with pcos have smelly hoo-ha issues? BTW for those who don't know, pcos isn't an std or anything like that, my ovaries just don't work right and as a result screw up my hormones.

[NYGal31]

I have had this problem for a long time. With different men. The smell lasts until I douche. It doesn't just last 2-3 days like everyone else. It's not as bad if he pulls out, but after a few times, it starts back again. I tested to see if it goes away on it's own without my douching and so far, im going on 3 months with the same odor. Slowly getting stronger. I've told my gyn about this yrs ago and she said that it's because he ejaculates inside. But I guess I will request a testing for BV and see what comes up.

[amanderr56]

I have never had any kind of smell, until about a month ago. I am 20, and have been sexually active since I was 16. I dont know what could have caused this smell. I have been with my boyfriend for about a year now.. Maybe it could be some diet pills I have recently started to take? I dont know, but I need help. It isnt necessarily after sex, but it is definitely NOTICABLE afterwards.. Will someone please let me know what could possibly cause this.. HELP! I am worried.

[Dannnnnny]

Rephresh works great! I started having this problem after having my son and i HATE it! And i noticed after using rephresh i wouldnt get the "stink" for a few escapades and then itll start and i just use another rephresh stick

[Alicebvt]

I am still not sure about using artificial products like rephresh. Changes in odour are my flag that something is out of balance, so, as many of you suggest above, I consider diet, illness, and external factors like clothing, soaps, detergents when I smell different. I did buy some pH strips to check my vaginal fluid, and when it went alkaline, I once took a warm bath with a couple of cups of white vinegar in the water. I am still very much anti-(routine) douching, but understand its value on occasion. The bath will cover all the tissues of the vulva and vaginal opening, and I use fingers to open myself a bit, but that's all. It did help my pH to remain in the suggested range, even days afterwards. Please, ladies, pardon my skepticism of "marketed solutions" to feminine issues.

[Alicebvt]

..also, keep in mind that we each have a threshold of odour beyond which we find offensive. Our body's normal healthy range MAY be outside that threshold. Case in point: My first 40+ years of life convinced me that healthy female parts should have NO smell atall. I finally learned that this was not true.

[bee24]

Like all of you, I have the same problem, and I just had a PAP test and everything is good, I just got my IUD taken out as well, because in my head I thought this was causing all of my issues. Now IUD free and I think the smell has gotten worst, It's kind of embarrassing, but if I scratch down, the smell stay in my fingers, Im taking scratching with jeans on and all, the freaking smell goes trough, Ugh, I hate it, I dont know what to do, The doctors need to take this matter more seriously, is affecting my relationship immensely, therefore my life.

[Alicebvt]

Bee,

I stopped wearing pantyhose at work for this very reason.. the fabric trapped my perspiration and natural vaginal discharge and seemed to cause some sort of fermenation with my normal bacteria, despite "clean" prognoses from my lady-doc. I now wear only cotton knickers with thigh-, or kneehighs, and found that pads caused a smell issue as well. The cotton allows moisture to exit, and air to breathe, eliminating anaerobic and fungal activity. This made a big diff for me. I also rub a pinch of borax into the crotch of my undies before laundering with a bit of table salt and bicarb of soda. This almost totally removes brown, or yellow stains, and for odours, I keep an open jar of dried orange & lemon peels in my lingerie drawer with a few cloves and a bit of ginger root. No, I am not JKrowling! LOL, but it does work for me. Hope this helps!
Alice

[leah86]

mercy725...are you mad! peroxide! nothing should be put up there like that! even doushing is a big no no too.it is ph levels so when you douch any good bacteria that are there is going to be washed away! this smell is normal yes normal!! if anoying an enbarraseing go an see the gp for some antibiotics.its not a long corse and your body will not get used to them an it will 'take the edge off'.never use strong smelling i use a soap from the simple range no perfume and natural ph levle in it.if u feel the need to use panty liners an plz dont go putting anything untoward up there.xxx

[Alicebvt]

I have to agree with Ms Leah86. Lots of wisdom from a young lass, there!

[CC1983]

PEROXIDE OMG Please do not take that advice !!!!! Ive never heard anything so crazy and dangerous !!

I had this problem 4 years and always put it down to sex just assumed it was normal and tried to keep very clean after sex since having routine checks and been told it was BV i was given a course of special antibiotics which has cleared the problem now. Its a relief and im wondering why i never went to the docs before....

BV is a natural bacteria in balance and is not associated with been unhygenic in anyway infact the doc explained to me that it is more a case of been too clean and washing too often pushing water inside is not sumthing u shud do (sumthing i always used to do especially wen the smell occured) so douching or certainly peroxide will make the problem worse not help. Same as using bubble baths etc you should stop using any chemical perfumed products at all near the area and never inside. I know its not a nice thing to tell ur doc but i feel so much better now mines gone if only i'd known earlier :)

[Liz676]

i think you've got something to the environmental thing. when my boyfriend and i started dating, i never drank tap water. always bottled or from a local spring where i live. and i never smelled! we recently moved and i have been drinking nothing but tap and now i all of sudden smell? i'm gonna stop drinking the tap and see where the smell goes. hopefully gone!

[Destiney_B]

I have had this same problem. I got rid of it taking an anti-biotic for BV. I just got my mirena removed a month ago, and am now taking ortho evra (the patch).
My husband and I had sex yesterday and I noticed before we had sex there was a horrid smell on him. Well now I am smelling down there. So is it him? Or is it both of us? Should I get on the same medication? And does he need some too?
He used to blame me for it, and I would feel so awful, all I could do is cry. I didnt know what to do or what the problem was.
Why cant people be more understanding. I wish all of us women could find a cure for this once and for all... were tired of smelling!
Were women, were supposed to smell pretty!
Someone please help cure smelly vagina.

[Former_BV_Sufferer]

I suffered from BV during my teenage years and never knew what it was until I went to the doc. He prescribed me antibiotics, and it got rid of everything - good and bad bacteria...also, after a couple of months it returned only for me to continue with more antibiotics. It's hard to continue taking something that depletes even the beneficial bacteria our vagina needs to stay healthy and "infection free."
After years of net surfing for a "cure," I came across a very helpful website that you also may find some useful info on and the products available for purchase. I know I did, and I have been BV free for 8 years now!