Discharge with onion/garlic smell

[kucukkedi]

hi everyone,
I have searched and searched the internet but can't seem to find anything to do with my problem.
I have started getting a thick sticky white discharge with an oniony garlic type smell. I have had BV in the past but it isn't the same as that. I thought maybe it might be a mixture of BV and candida but i don't have any of the itchiness you get with a yeast infection. Besides, i took medicine for both but it still came back.
It isn't constant but seems to be there more than its not. I have it at the moment and it is the beginning of my cycle.
Also, the smell seems to be worse just before and during sex.
I'm not on the pill, my partner and i use condoms. Could that have anything to do with it? It is the first relationship i've had that has remained extremely sexually active and also the only one that i've continually used condoms with.
Like i said, i have had BV before and also candida before but the symptoms just don't seem to be the same as them.
Hope someone can help
Thanks

[RockRose]

Well,  if it makes you feel any better,  apparently a lot of women have this.

I searched Google with the terms "vaginal discharge smells like garlic" and "vaginal discharge smells like onions" and got lots of hits.  

This is maybe the best discussion I found.  Doesn't give any real answers,  but you know you're not alone.

http://ehealthforum.com/health/topic48215.html

[Bunzmore]

I’m from the porn industry.  We have ways of not making the set not smell like a Chinese buffet box left out overnight.  

When I’m with a man, I make him clean his junk with Hibiclens.  It kills 95% of any odors for up to 24hrs.

When I with a woman, we clean our vaginas.  It’s the same bacteria in underarm odor that has a strong sulfur bond. As humans, we have see-through waxy secretions  in folds and creases of skin as apocrine glands respond to our hormones. These secretions are strongly bonded to the skin.  As our hormones fluctuate, so do skin secretions and the bacteria that eat them.  The bacteria hops a ride from outside on the skin and up into and colonizes the vagina. A hidden reservoir of these waxy secretions is along the front belt line of the waste, often under our tummy. If you spray peroxide in the crease there (if you have one like me) or in the folds of your legs, the unseen and unfelt waxy secretions will instantly start to foam rapidly.  If you let it sit for 4-5 minutes, it will feel slick as the top layers dissolve.  Rinse and repeat 3-4 times.

Then slowly and with the most caution, scrub the affected external genital area carefully 4-5 times with an unscented mild soap and water.  

Last, in the creases of the legs and under the belly, clean with Hibiclens, making sure that it doesn’t enter the vagina (ouch, ouch, ouch!).  This will kill the external colony of bacteria for up to 24 hours.

Use a five parts peroxide and one part water solution in a vaginal douche.  

For women going down on other women, the garlic taste may linger the next day or two producing garlicky breath, even after brushing and using Listerine.  The goer downer will need to gargle with half peroxide and half water 2-6 times to remove the taste. Sometimes also gargling with baking soda is needed.

[jen2006]

That happens to me when I cut onions or garlic! I hate it!

[here4theinfo]

Best idea is to go check at your doctors office, it could just be a new strain of bacteria your dealing with. Have you eating any different foods or changed detergents? Excercis routine changed? Sometimes those affect it, also if your having urinary symptoms, it could just be a bladder infection, but that to needs medication from your doctor. It could also just be the start of your cycle and the fact you have a new boyfriend, fluids/condoms still can affect "down there" Good Luck..

[jewels8888]

well if it helps, some site say that what you eat
has impact on your smell and taste.
it might sound weird, but did you eat something with oignon or garlic in big quantity?
usually the yeast infention might smell like yeast
(brean or beer) from what my obgyn says and not garlic i dont think...
but a yeast infection DOES NOT have to be itchy.
they are plenty of symptoms but not all women get them all at the same time. I myself get a weird reaction sometimes when i use condoms with not enough lubricant
(red,dry feeling with a smell sometimes) SORRY FOR THE DETAILS!!!!!!!
BUT IF YOU ARE WORRIED, GET IT CHECKED OUT...
GOOD LUCK

[uniqueflower]

Hello- I have had this issue my entire life after puberty, onion smell that gets stronger at certain times of the month and when I am sexually aroused. I think I first noticed it when I was about 15 years old, prior to first sex. It is not unpleasant but eliminating onions and garlic from my diet does nothing for it. There are no other symptoms.
My comment is this: if you are uncomfortable or concerned, definitely go see your doc. But the suggestion that it is an infection or other such sign of "uncleanliness" is BS of the worst sort. Are we really so indoctrinated that we believe the myth that women's vaginas are "dirty"?!?!? I am so sick of the response being to wash more or take pharmaceuticles for some sort of infection- we are making things worse by doing this, and then when there REALLY is a problem (and you'll know it, you won't need to ask a forum) those antibiotics don't work anymore. PLEASE women, support each other and recognize the complex endocrine, reproductive and metabolic systems we all have! We are not dirty, foul, smelly, or otherwise dysfunctional from being our simple natural selves. Unless there is swelling, rashiness, itching or some other sign of a problem, onion smell may just be you.

BTW- My lovely man loves my taste and smell, any man that doesn't isn't worth being with sexually. There are plenty of men who would be *thrilled* to partake of your onion scent.

[diyjunkie]

love this response! You go girl! I have the same smell during sex, but doesn't stop my man either. It comes and goes.
All these stupid people (that pretend to be very smart) can go see OBGYN anytime they want to feel important.

[uniqueflower]

oh yeah, I forgot to add, My gyno- who is a lesbian- which in my opinion gives her the best possible credentials from every angle-has told me this is as common as roadside grass.

[Jossie01]

Well my partner thinks the smell is totally disgusting...

[Dnabella]

Honestly, it’s quite common, but it’s not something you have to live with, switch your underwear brand to one that is breathable many brands have recently started addressing this issue, our vaginas need to breath ladies !!!!!  

it’s just hormones, PH levels and sweat it should NOT be accumulated semen as that should wash away with your natural secretions and a bath and if it’s not then use a gently applied douche after sex and remember no air to that area can greatly increase the temperature down there....

PS if your boyfriend loved you he would love your smell, taste and everything in between...I can’t imagine I’ve had a perfect smell my entire 32 year marriage but he has always acted like My smell was an addiction to him.  That’s how it should be

[Alicebvt]

You are so right. Smell is a subjective sense, and we are all conditioned by our experiences to view things as "normal" or not based on opinions of others. I was a bit freaked by a similar situation a couple of years ago, but have researched and had good counsel by my health care provider. Please feel free to read my post, but be sure to read my final entry, which is where I am currently comfortable with my vaginal / vulvar smell. http://www.medhelp.org/forums/WomensHealth/messages/1083.html. Jossie01, please explain. Either you are healthy or not, but your scent and odour are what the Good Lord gave you. Mine is still strong, but I have learned to accept my husband's appreciation of it as a sexual turnon. I am not so much onion like, but very pungent and musky, as I have explained in my posts, as more like a strong cheese. My gynaecologist explains that the glands of Bartholin's and Skenes, and the entire mucus membrane of a woman's vulva exude oils, fatty acids, and proteins that are as unique as our physical appearances. Please continue to research on your own, but barring infections or disease, we all DO have a smell to some extent. The thing to do is to become comfortable with your body, and if your partner still is not, well... that is another issue you may have to deal with. Hope this helps! - Ally

[marlisemo]

Hello,

OMG! I finally found out what the problem is. It's two different infections, bacterial vaginosis (bv) and a bladder infection. On May 1st, I was diagnosed just a plain bv. After taking the meds, I still had the clumpy sticky discharge during sex as well as the onion smell. I went back to planned parenthood today, only I was examined by another nurse practioner. She apparently has more experience and compassion, for that matter, than the other lady that examined me. She explained that the ph levels combined with sperm and bacteria build up can cause this. She prescribed cipro and phenazopyrid for the bladder infection and metronidazol gel for the bv. She also prescribed the metro.... tablets. She instructed me to take one tablet per month just before my cycle to kill any bacterial build up. Apparently some woman go through this more than others.

I hope this helps.

Feel free to email me directly at ***@****. I don't sharing my experience with you. I was relieved to discover that I wasn't alone.

I hope the meds clear up everything. I'll post again in a few weeks.

[candygirl555]

why does my vagina smell just like garlic????

[Stevieb920]

Girls, you are all getting carried away, you all need to calm down. I am a man, my partner's vagina has absolutely no smell at all, but I love to cook, after petting, even 2 to 3 days later, the smell of onions or garlic, whichever I have used, appears on my fingers. It definitely is not her. It is obvious to me that there is a natural chemical in vaginal fluid that brings the smell out. So stop worrying.

[destinygail]

I disagree about it being two different infections. I just had a pap and my usual 6 month tests for everything. I have no infections or STD's and I've been having this onion/ garlic smell for many years. I don't however have a thick clumpy discharge. I believe it is just something us women have to go through at times. Disgusting as it may be, it is life.

[mzjade]

I have endometriosis and have had this problem on and off since i was 12. Here is what i've determined through 10 years of experience as well as multiple visits to various obgyns. For most people, I've talked to its not a constant everyday thing. There are some things that can make this worse or more prominent. An infection can make things smell worse. Antibiotics also make the odor stronger.  Right before you're period, when you ovulate the odor will be strong and you may also have discharge. This is your body shedding unfertilized eggs. Women can have bacteria in their vagina that can react to outside influences and create the smell as well. This is not bad bacteria, its natural. Everyone, including men, have some bacteria in their bodies. Some perfumes, washes, tampons, sperm, etc can make the smell worse as well. The best thing i have come up with to lessen the odor/ taste is to take a multivitamin every day specifically designed for women. I take prenatal vitamins since I had so many left over. You can look up how much vitamins your body needs daily according to age, gender. Try to follow these guidelines. I take a little more than i'm supposed to. JUST A LITTLE. You can overdose on vitamins! For example, if it says you need 3000 mgs of viatimin c you can take 4000. other vitamins say to take just 10 mgs so taking 15 would be more than enough. You have to research it carefully. I can provode a list of exactly what i take if anyone's interested. Next, wash with a soap that's not loaded with fragrance. For a quick fix, baby wipes work extremely well. I use them often and it virtually kills all signs of odor/ taste. The generic ones from target are both cost efficient and extremely effective. As i said some fragrances, can make it worse. the wipes from target seem to have the perfect balance. Have regular exams to make sure you don't have a yeast infection. Wash your hands thoroughly after touching onions and garlic. I don't know why this helps but it does seem to. Maybe the smell can seep through your pores. I think everyones advice has a little truth to it. It depends on the women as we are all different. I've also found that wearing underwear when its really hot outside can make things worse. However, some women who have this will always have it and you should get comfortable with your body the way it is. I've found that when i do all this stuff, i don't have the smell except when i'm ovulating and my body is discharging unused eggs. Although this is usually for only about 2 days per month. It's better than all the time. i do agree if the person you are with has a big problem with it, then maybe you should not be with a person who is that shallow. Hope this helps. Good luck to everyone. Feel good about who you are. Don't let other people determine who you should be.

[moikki]

I have had this come and go for years! I go to the OB annually and have gone more when I thought I had a problem. I am totally clean. I do know that if I've been cooking with onion or garlic my vaginal juices bring out the smell like Stevie said but I also know the glands just inside is where the discharge comes from that has this smell. I've expiramented and it definetly isnt coming from deeper inside, I have no scent there. I've come to accept it and have found that I notice it more than my man does. I do have the thick discharge sometimes but not all the time and can have that scent with or w/o it. It's not an infection, and it's not from not being clean. I can be in the shower and wash 5 times and if I stimulate those glands it smells like garlic.
BTW, BV smells like rank fish not garlic or onions- please!

[moikki]

I have had this come and go for years! I go to the OB annually and have gone more when I thought I had a problem. I am totally clean. I do know that if I've been cooking with onion or garlic my vaginal juices bring out the smell like Stevie said but I also know the glands just inside is where the discharge comes from that has this smell. I've expiramented and it definetly isnt coming from deeper inside, I have no scent there. I've come to accept it and have found that I notice it more than my man does. I do have the thick discharge sometimes but not all the time and can have that scent with or w/o it. It's not an infection, and it's not from not being clean. I can be in the shower and wash 5 times and if I stimulate those glands it smells like garlic.
BTW, BV smells like rank fish not garlic or onions- please!

[spookie3]

So what would be the best thing to take for this?

[spookie3]

So what would be the best thing to take for this?

[tea_anya2]

your so lovely.

[minicooperfan]

I have been having this same problem. I am worried it was recurring yeast infections. I went to the doctor and they did a KOH and Wet Prep that both came back negative. I also however had some burning too. I read about how someone else on here had been diagnosed with a bladder infection and BV. I am thinking that the burning is related to that. I have had history of UTIs. I made an appointment with a urologist. But yes, I am so annoyed with this problem.

[jmcfarland87]

I have noticed this happen in myself when I have been taking a lot of over the counter medicines such as Tylenol, Excedrin, or ibuprofen, and have not been drinking enough water, this is the only real connection point I have found.

I agree, the answer is not to just 'keep yourself clean' or treat for some kind of infection, if you do this too often you can cause major problems. If you are worried about an odor before getting with your man, I would suggest the summers eve feminine wipes, just for the outside, maybe an hour or two before you anticipate anything. Over cleaning down there can actually cause yeast infections though.

If you have any serious concerns, as always, consult your physician. I am just posting personal observations.

[Actung]

I am a man who ran across this posting by accident, looking for a kid I helped with his B.O. problem a while ago. Anyway, I grew up with 3 sisters, so my joke was that during the month, there was always one crabby woman each week.  Your stories, though, have given me a new appreciation for what you go through your whole life. In this arena, men have it easy. We have a penis that doesn't require upkeep (aside from the obvious washing) and there's no obgyn visits form creams, tonics, and potions. Anyway, thank you, ladies, for taking the brunt of the reproductive system of mankind, and for not whining about it - if it were me, I'd be a HUGE baby.

[HIS_LADIE]

i had this problem about two months ago and went to the doc...he asked alot of Questions..and did test to just tell me that the smell was there because i had cooked and chopped up alot of garlic the days before...but the smell only lasted about a week...but i have found that if u drink a spoonful of vinger and drink lots of water u will not have that smell


I HOPE THIS HELP YOU ALL TOO

[Butterfly8i3]

Take a table spoon of raw honey <---real honey not that sugar and flavor ****
with a tall glass of water 30 hours before bed.
This will not only help you sleep better, but also help hydrate you and your body will absorb the honey flavor and possibly counter act that garlicly smell. Possibly.

[bombastic]

I have also just recently started having this prob. Almost a year after mud daughter was born. Oh how so many things have hanged since I became a mother. The smell is so strong that it stays lingering on my hands , sips wouldn't help but my husbands old spice body wash was good to take off the onion smell from my hands (only hands do not put on the vagina) I have noticed that the smell does appear after cutting onions and also before my cycle. Obygn said its not anything medically done test are good.