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Vaginal Odour Problem
I work in a busy office amongst male and female coworkers. During this summer, I began to notice a strong vaginal smell when I arose from my chair. My job requires me to sit all day on my bum, and I am "blessed" with a naturally wet bottom. The odor is very distinctive and almost like swiss cheese, pungent and very noticeable. (I am horrified to tell you all this, sorry!!!). I can detect this smell usually when I am ovulating, but at other times as well. I'm married and have 2 children, am sexually active, but my gynaecologist has not detected yeast infection, trichomonas, or BV, nor do I have dysplasia or any other problems that she has informed me about. I have received only sheepish shrugs and dismissals about the smell, which is intermittent, but very noticeable at times. I am so embarrassed that my mates at work can smell me, but I am not sure. Just extremely self-conscious. I wear cotton knickers, never douche, and have recently switched from pantyhose to stockings. I have no itching, irritation or burning, just creamy to clear discharge (I have had a lot of so-called 'normal' wetness since puberty). I wonder if my weight has anything to do with this. Please help. I am 1.65 m in height and weigh 200 lb. Any advice would be appreciated. THANKS!
Vaginal odour is very similar to one's normal body odour / perspiration smell, only loaded with pheromones, which are highly arousing to most hetero males. Odd thing I heard somewhere was that these compounds have no discernible (i.e. identifiablel) smell to the average person. Thus I would not be overly concerned that others would suddenly associate your vaginal aroma with you, especially on the evening tram homeward (everybody sweats at work, even in A/C luxuriated environments). Your statement that you've had no thrush is definitely a good sign that your body's flora are in balance. Get to your doc annually as you are 33 (and PLEASE have mammograms.. I know too many women, some of them nurses, who've gotten breast cancer because they neglected themselves). Sorry, I had to throw that in there. Have a nice summer.
I'm so relieved to hear this many women discussing this rather unpleasant subject matter. I too suffer from this and have simply been using panty liners + showering daily of course. I don't think using a douche is the right method of treatment. I've had a variety of eating habits, healthy & unhealthy..didn't make a difference - it might if it was a subtle condition, but I think after reading everybody's comments/questions, this is NO subtle condition. I too feel embarressed at work (office) and my only saviour in keeping sane about it, is convincing myself that nobody can tell. It's winter now and I have a long, thick coat to wear when I hop on the packed tram to go home...I'm really dreading summer. 33, sexually active with same partner for 8 years, no thrush problems for years, never been pregnant, diagnosed with herpes...at 16...when I lost my virginity. Sad, over it and at a loss...
Hello ladies,
I think it is extremely important that in cases of vaginal issues, you think outside of the "box" (no pun intended). The first thing for me that comes to mind is diet. Vaginal odours are due to an increase of bacteria (usually candida) in the vagina, and will flourish with improper food choices. Before you think that you have a problem and that you are never going to get help, evaluate your diet and exercise lifestyle. Eating sugar is the worst possible thing for getting rid of bad bacteria, and unfortunately it is in almost everything we eat. I encourage everyone to read food labels - you will be shocked at how many things have sugar in them! I would recommend trying a "bacteria cleanse" eating regime for three weeks and see how the odour in your vagina changes. In other words, eat only vegetables and protein (meat, nuts)- and if you want fruit, choose an apple. Take a probiotic supplement to help your body be infused with good bacteria. And if necessary, go to your doctor and talk to him/her about getting on medication to relieve vaginosis. You will get better, just think outside the box!
I think it is extremely important that in cases of vaginal issues, you think outside of the "box" (no pun intended). The first thing for me that comes to mind is diet. Vaginal odours are due to an increase of bacteria (usually candida) in the vagina, and will flourish with improper food choices. Before you think that you have a problem and that you are never going to get help, evaluate your diet and exercise lifestyle. Eating sugar is the worst possible thing for getting rid of bad bacteria, and unfortunately it is in almost everything we eat. I encourage everyone to read food labels - you will be shocked at how many things have sugar in them! I would recommend trying a "bacteria cleanse" eating regime for three weeks and see how the odour in your vagina changes. In other words, eat only vegetables and protein (meat, nuts)- and if you want fruit, choose an apple. Take a probiotic supplement to help your body be infused with good bacteria. And if necessary, go to your doctor and talk to him/her about getting on medication to relieve vaginosis. You will get better, just think outside the box!
Just an opinion, but it is shared by many women and doctors I have heard comment on this subject: douching is pretty much unnecessary, and can be counterproductive to your body's maintenance of a healthy balance of organisms within the vagina. I won't go so far as to say never (I have made my own thanks to advice from some respondents to my posts here). I really rarely find the need to, but follow your own best advice. Alice
Hi all :)
okay, heres my story.
I am 20 years old and was in a 2 year relationionship from 15-17 years old and I was sexually active. I never had any issues and was on birth control for the last year of my relationship.
Once I became single, for a few months I ran abit buck wild and was sexually active with more than a few partners. I was getting checked for STI's constantly and was always confirmed as clear.
I started dating someone shortly after and we became sexually exclusive. We always used condoms but once in the moment we didnt and he shortly there after told me about some kind of infection he had long ago and he was worried he would pass it on to me. I found this odd because he reeassured me it wasnt an STD. So I thought that was kinda odd. Nearly a week later I had this itchy feeling and light discharge aswell as a bit of odour. I right away went to my doctor and got tested for every STD in the book and came clear. I was treated for a yeast infection and it went away.- me and this guy never spoke again.
I am now currently in a relationship and have been for about a year. And ever since that "yeast infection" Ive had an on- and off yeat infection. Always treating it with canesten or monastat. A couple months ago the odour was just so strong that even my boyfriend could smell it during sex ( disgusting) so i had to go to the doctors. I got a perscription for a yeast infection. A week later it was gone!! yay!!! but a week after that, it was back. I went back to the doctor, and he gave me a stronger perscription that he said would 100% take care of the yeast infection. That day I also got a pap test done and was tested to STD's. I am currently waiting for the results and as of two days ago the odour has been sooooo harsh I want to vomit. It smells like cheese, or something sooo strong. (sorry to be so descripted). I dont know what it could be and its really ruining any sexual feelings me and my boyfriend could possibly have. I feel like crying.
I also duche regulaly and I use tampons.
I also am on birth control.
Can anyone help????
My doctor is completely incompetant.
okay, heres my story.
I am 20 years old and was in a 2 year relationionship from 15-17 years old and I was sexually active. I never had any issues and was on birth control for the last year of my relationship.
Once I became single, for a few months I ran abit buck wild and was sexually active with more than a few partners. I was getting checked for STI's constantly and was always confirmed as clear.
I started dating someone shortly after and we became sexually exclusive. We always used condoms but once in the moment we didnt and he shortly there after told me about some kind of infection he had long ago and he was worried he would pass it on to me. I found this odd because he reeassured me it wasnt an STD. So I thought that was kinda odd. Nearly a week later I had this itchy feeling and light discharge aswell as a bit of odour. I right away went to my doctor and got tested for every STD in the book and came clear. I was treated for a yeast infection and it went away.- me and this guy never spoke again.
I am now currently in a relationship and have been for about a year. And ever since that "yeast infection" Ive had an on- and off yeat infection. Always treating it with canesten or monastat. A couple months ago the odour was just so strong that even my boyfriend could smell it during sex ( disgusting) so i had to go to the doctors. I got a perscription for a yeast infection. A week later it was gone!! yay!!! but a week after that, it was back. I went back to the doctor, and he gave me a stronger perscription that he said would 100% take care of the yeast infection. That day I also got a pap test done and was tested to STD's. I am currently waiting for the results and as of two days ago the odour has been sooooo harsh I want to vomit. It smells like cheese, or something sooo strong. (sorry to be so descripted). I dont know what it could be and its really ruining any sexual feelings me and my boyfriend could possibly have. I feel like crying.
I also duche regulaly and I use tampons.
I also am on birth control.
Can anyone help????
My doctor is completely incompetant.
Hi Alice, I have been interested in finding out what causes vaginal odour for many years and I have heard numerous theorys none of which explain the fact that normal healthy women of childbearing age always have a vaginal odour to some varying degree.
I have had a very active sex life and I have had relationships with a considerable amount of women and I have been married 3 times [legally of course] and I have never met a woman [except for one instance] that did not have a vaginal odour and this includes virgins of which I was lucky to experience several times,as for the exception this patricular woman had had a hysterectomy at the age of 26 and she had no odour at all, it is also true in my experience of older women beyond menopause that they have no odour, so to sum up, it appears to me that all women below menopause have a naturally occurring scent in varying degrees,this scent in my experience varies with the individual during the month and during life,women beyond menopause lose this scent either entirely or partially, I once had a girlfriend who had a really powerful odour but it was never noticeable except when making love,so Alice you sound pretty normal to me,good luck, JMR.
I have had a very active sex life and I have had relationships with a considerable amount of women and I have been married 3 times [legally of course] and I have never met a woman [except for one instance] that did not have a vaginal odour and this includes virgins of which I was lucky to experience several times,as for the exception this patricular woman had had a hysterectomy at the age of 26 and she had no odour at all, it is also true in my experience of older women beyond menopause that they have no odour, so to sum up, it appears to me that all women below menopause have a naturally occurring scent in varying degrees,this scent in my experience varies with the individual during the month and during life,women beyond menopause lose this scent either entirely or partially, I once had a girlfriend who had a really powerful odour but it was never noticeable except when making love,so Alice you sound pretty normal to me,good luck, JMR.
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