Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

odor

Hi, and thanks very much in advance for your time.
(I already posted this question in the family practice forum, but I was hoping you might have some additional advice.)

For about a year I've had problems with a persistent, fecal-like, really offensive odor. It started one morning when I was straining to have bowel movement (always had constipation, don't drink enough water). I noticed almost complete numbness in that area, and ever since then have had feelings of incomplete evacuation, and this odor that I can't get rid of. I've changed my diet, added lots of water and fiber, I've tried chlorophyllin pills, charcoal pills, pills that are supposed to replenish intestinal flora, nothing consistently helps the odor much, though. I've also tried kegel exercizes. I went to a doctor about this, had a sigmoidoscopy and catscan, which came back normal, except for hemmorhoids, which weren't at the time inflamed. My doctor didn't know what else to try and didn't seem to think it was that big of a deal. I would do anything to fix this, it's had horrible effects on my social life (some people are nice about it, some aren't.) Could it be some kind of incontinence? I've read about descending perineum syndrome, and this seems to fit my symptoms perfectly, but from what I have read also there seems to be no reliable treatment for it. I'm very clean, it's not a smell like sweat or anything. I'm 25, healthy otherwise, never had kids. Any ideas you have about what this could be and what to do about it would be so appreciated!
10 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hey,

Are you holding it in?  When you gotta go, go?  Carry some baby wipes with you in case u have to go in public places, the habit of holding it in, is not a good one, and could lead to smell.  Eat lighter, the tendency for large stool's is eating large quantities, eat lighter and more foods that u can digest.  Water, exercise, sit ups.  

Also, on another note, if its anxiety about the smell that may help it to get worse, so if it's there who cares, just act normal, u have to develop some sort of confidence otherwise, situations that are mild become tense and may trigger sweat or bacterial overgrowth.  

Another thing, soap, don't use antipersiperant or deodarant bars that are scented, what this does, is it covers up odor, and gives u false promise when ur taken a shwoer, since all u smell is the scented soap.  I suggest a liquid soap with one of those, ummm scrubbers.  Try to find an unscented soap.  Now the question is if there's an odor, shouldn't i use a deodarant soap, logically it makes sense to do so, but in actuallity it's helping the bacterial overgrowth.  Bar deoderizing soap can create more bacteria, and I would ask the doc about it, since my belief is it covers up the pores, and creates more bacterial overgrowth.  Wash these main areas thorougly and roughly, mouth, ears, chest, underarms, genitals, anus, and feet.  Keep using the scrubber as it's roughness helps clean better.  i'm rambling on but i hope this helps
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for your help latebloomer. Right now I use cottonelle medicated wipes and I always have them on hand. I bring some to work and I keep a case of them in my bookbag. They don't seem to help (I assume because of people's reactions) maybe I'll try to use the tucks scented kind though. As for work, my job requires a lot of physical labor making me sweat and their are customers on every side which really...stinks, (No pun intended here), so I guess until I get this thing fixed, I'm up the creek at my job because when I sweat real bad it's over. Hate to sound so pessimistic, it has been comforting to know that there are other people with the same problem though. I thought I was the only one with it. What could it possibly be that makes someone so clean smell so bad? Thanks again for your help
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have a couple of suggestions that maybe will help you. I have the same thing and what i do is if I'm going somewhere public I take a little spray bottle of water and a travel size soap that already comes in a bottle and tucks pads that are scented and are travel size, you can find these things in your local stores. I really clean myself if I'm not feeling good. Maybe you should try the same instead of dropping your classes and giving up. At work this will also help so give it a try. Luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have this same problem as well. I'm only 23 years old and otherwise healthy. I probably have the cleanest rear in the country because I try clean myself so well by using wipes, drinking lots of water, using scented dryer sheets to dry all my clothes to cover the smell, flushing myself thouroughly with a shower head in the shower, taking warm baths in scented oils, changing my diet, exercising, using colognes,etc. But none of this seems to work. I've seen my doctor twice and he thinks I'm imagining the whole thing and overreacting or something. My social life is completely destroyed and even my friends won't even sit by me anymore. I may have to drop my college courses because I think it's becoming to much of a hinderance for people to concentrate in my classes. I can't hang out with friends or play sports now. Nobody at work wants to work with me now and customers laugh at me a lot. Did I mention that it was a little embarassing? It is not a hygiene issue! I clean myself better than you do I'm sure "occupied". the humor is not appreciated. I'd love to let you people that make jokes about this just spend one week the way that we have to! I'd guarantee that it would change your perspective of things.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Parasites can cause odors indirectly, though I don't think
they cause fecal odors, though.  Your skin (and maybe sweat)
can exude certain odors when you are having an inflammitory reaction (be it from an actual infection or allergy)  Parasites can cause extremely mild systemic allergic reactions such as excema, itchiness, and increased mucousal discharge.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I meant no offense or to joke about the subject, so please understand that.  I think that the odor is present and u may also smell it, when ur around people, I think the biggest fault people have with this condition is that their is no consistency, I mean u may see others get away with outragous diets, lack of exercise and short showers and u may feel u can do the same.

I think parasites have to be the cause or an infection.  So make sure and report this to ur doctor, they may rule it out, but really parasitic tests are hard to do.  

I still say, water, exercise, consistency, bathing, BABYwipes, should help reduce it, along with IM AD anti diaraheal and gas.

8 tall glasses of water a day.  Again one of the faults with people is that they want to see rapid improvement and when they don't they feel its not working, you can't get a six pac in a week nor can u flush out the toxins in ur colon or body in a week, so I suggest u stick with WATER, IT will minimize the smell!  Please post back!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have the same problem and the ordor doesn't come from your hygiene or sweat. My social life has been torn apart. I can't exercise or do the physical activities I use to, because the ordor seems to escape through all the layers of clothing you wear. I can relate to everything you said. My doctor didn't really think it was a big deal she send me to get a colonoscopy and was diagnosed with having internal hemmoroids, she prescribed reglan and bentyl,that didn't seem to help either. It's a very embarrasing condition. I really hope people stop making fun of this condition and start helping with some support.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey,

I feel ur pain.  Umm, WARNING,... This May CONTAIN ADULT CONTENT......

I agree that you should see a Doctor, maybe a G.I, but...
Your stool my assumption is watery maybe sticky and tough to wipe, kind of like diarhea, huh?  And if so then the reason for the FUNK is when you sweat all the funk....... Well here's a diagram.

RECTUM->       IO           I
      ->       I           OI
      ->       I           OI
      ->       IO           I
      _>       I           OI
      ->       I           OI
               I           OI
               I           OI
       POI     IO           I
               I           I
                I         I
ANUS ->          I       I
The O's represent the FUNK, sticky stool, you have going on in there, and maybe you wipe it well up to, POI the point of interest, but when you sweat the funk above begins to come down. You like the illustration?  I suggest you go to a drug store and find Immodium Advanced anti diahreal and anti gas pills and take the recommended dosage, here's what it will do, it will solidify your stool giving you the desirable dry stool, easy to wipe easy to clean.  You can try to clean above the POI, beware you might enjoy it, i'm kidding,  and eat more bread in your diet.  More water and More Juice, recommend, Pineapple blends or Kiwi Strawberry.  Also, lack of exercise may benefit the odor, so do sit ups or laps around ur block and then take a shower.

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I THINK THE DOC should second my suggestions.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
ok, the post destroyed my illustration

I___________OI rectum
IO___________I
IO___________I
IO___________I
IO___________I
I__O_________I
IO___________I
I_____O______I
I________O___I
I___________I POI
I_________I
  I_______I anus

HOPE THIS WORKS
Helpful - 0
233190 tn?1278549801
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello - thanks for asking this question.  I would suggest visiting a gynocologist for this problem.

One consideration would be rectal prolapse or rectocele.  Rectocele refers to displacement of the rectum through one or more defects in the posterior vaginal (anterior rectal) wall. Such defects are due to damage to the rectovaginal septum or its supporting attachments from injuries initially sustained at vaginal delivery, and then aggravated by the effects of gravity and repetitive increases in intraabdominal pressure. Enterocele and sigmoidocele also may result from these defects.  Constant straining from constipation would exacerbate these effects.  

Again, I would suggest a visit to a gynocologist to determine if this is a problem.  Ancillary imaging studies, such as dynamic cystoproctography or defecography, may be helpful in women in whom it is difficult to distinguish whether the defect is an enterocele, rectocele, or sigmoidocele.

I stress that this answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Digestive Disorders / Gastroenterology Forum

Popular Resources
Learn which OTC medications can help relieve your digestive troubles.
Is a gluten-free diet right for you?
Discover common causes of and remedies for heartburn.
This common yet mysterious bowel condition plagues millions of Americans
Don't get burned again. Banish nighttime heartburn with these quick tips
Get answers to your top questions about this pervasive digestive problem