Vaginal Odor

[Effy38]

Genital Odor

Ever since I was a little girl I've always had a fishy odor in my vagina.  I'm a clean person, I shower every day and don't use soaps that will harm me.  I am 20 years old and still have that smell.  I always went to doctors as a kid to see if they had a solution but I always got the same answer, to wash very well.  I have no idea what it is.

I am a virgin so that should rule out any STI's

[Alicebvt]

I agree with everything you said above. This is good advice! I don't remember having "fishy" vaginal odours during yeast episodes, but yoghurt is a still a good thing for certain. I have also always consumed large volumes of water, as I tend to be a "Sweaty Betty" lol, and have never had a bladder infection, but I have had several occasions of vaginal yeast infection (candidiasis), and BV despite this practice.

Even during my so-called healthy periods of time, I have always experienced a very strong vulvar / vaginal smell, which I consider simply 'my sexual scent', and my husband & I still notice it to this day. I wouldn't call it the least bit offensive, just very unmistakable, as "me". For the lady who opened this query, I'd explain that "fishy" smells almost always evoke imine compounds of ammonia, which can be produced by organisms in a healthy vagina, but typically result from overgrowth varieties. Diet is most definitely a factor. Let's not rule out synthetic undergarments and pantyhose, both of which can stifle the climate and enhance the chances of imbalance. Cotton is my friend now!

[Alicebvt]

Effy38, I am in my fifties, and can relate to your situation completely! I am glad to hear that you do not use strong soaps in your vulva, since "washing well" is not really necessary, and can be counterproductive. Soaps and products that strip away your body's natural defences can cause an imbalance "down their", as my mum used to say :-) sorry...

Fishy odours typically result from a very common, very treatable overgrowth of the wrong type of bacteria. The condition is called BV, or bacterial vaginosis. I recommend you goog or wik this topic to learn about ways to mitigate it. This crap is so common that I believe docs don't really worry too much about it, but when you LIVE in a body that you perceive has something wrong, you should find out all you can about it, as you are doing. Good for you, dear! Feel free to check my posts, as I have a world class sniffer (sorry again!), and have had vaginal odour anxiety at least since I was 11 years or so. I've since learned a lot, and many smart ladies have responded! This place is so great. Hope it helps.

[grannienannie]

ii yougert in your diet? you know that helps with yeast infections..and maybe you should drink more water i faithfully use those things in my diet..try it maybe it will make a difference...