A
female
age
26-29,
anonymous
writes:Hi there,I have an odd, (or hopefully not so odd) question to ask. For a while (past twelve months) I have had quite a strong smell coming from my vagina. I can smell it every time i go to the toilet on my underwear or even sometime when i move my legs after sitting for a while. I went to the Dr's around 8 months ago and it turned out to be an infection called bacteria vaginosis, which i was prescribed some antibiotics for, and after the course of antibiotics finished we tested again, and it had gone. But still, I am getting large amounts of vaginal discharge but this time with a different smell to 8 months ago. I cant quite describe the smell, as sometimes it changes. Some days it almost smells yeasty, some days it smells very slightly fishy (like before), and other days it smells like something rotten which I cant put my finger on. So my question is.. What does everyone elses underwear smell like after having worn them for a day, (If they have a smell at all), and how strong is the smell?I hope I'm not being too intrusive, but I'm just curious to know if its possible that I may have some kind of infection again. Any help would be greatly appreciatedThanks
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (3 August 2012): Many things can influence vaginal odor. The presence of pubic hair (hair holds in odor from sweat, urination, and odor-causing bacteria and yeasts) will cause a stronger smell. If you find the odor unpleasant, embarrasing, or distracting simply (but carefully) trim or shave your pubic hair. If this does not help the problem, then you need to look at your diet and hygeine.If your diet is full of fatty, and processed foods, high in sugar, and/or lots of meats and dairy products, you will have a stronger feminine odor. Next, if your diet has strong smelling spices (like cumin, garlic, onions etc.), or strong smelling cheeses (blue cheese, feta cheese, etc) that can cause you to have an unpleasant odor as well. By eating lots of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, limiting red meat and cheese, avoiding sugary snacks and beverages and having candy and fried foods only as a treat, you will find that (over a few weeks time) that your vaginal odor is not as unpleasant.Now, for hygeine: When you wipe your bottom after you poo, wipe from front to back. If you wipe the other way, you are probably introducing bacteria from your poo into your vagina which is bad.When you shower, it is a good idea to thoroughly wash and rinse your girl parts. Make sure you clean any crevices between your outer and inner labia. Use an unscented regular soap. Scented products and antibacterial soaps can and will cause imbalances in the vaginal ph which can cause bacterial or yeast overgrowth.If you use tampons/diva cup, or have used barrier protection during sexual intercourse you need to make sure you haven't 'lost' one of those items up there. If your doctor did not perform a gynecological exam when you were diagnosed with BV, there is a possibility that a retained tampon or condom is causing the 'rotten' odor and the BV you describe. While this has never happened to me, i have read about these things in medical journals. If an object is lost or remains in the vagina for an extended period of time (weeks or longer) you can have serious medical complications, so this needs to be ruled out.If you have had sexual intercourse, received oral sex, or masturbated with something not actually intended for the purpose you could have an unusual bacteria or fungus growing which is causing your problems. If you are sexually active, you may have a STI (some can be transmitted through oral sex) or even trichomoniasis. If you are sexually active, You need to have STI testing and you need to specifically ask to be tested.Odor is influenced by hormones and is always stronger when a woman is about to menstruate, is menstruating, and for a day or so afterwards. If you use pads or liners, they can affect/worsen the odor.Finally, two last things:In the feminine product aisle, there should be unscented feminine wipes, you may want to buy a pack and use them to freshen up after using the restroom and after exercise.If you wear underwear made from synthetic material (spandex, polyester, nylon, rayon) or a synthetic/cotton blend you need to switch to 100% cotton until you have seen your doctor again and your health problem has resolved.
A
female
reader, person12345  +, writes (3 August 2012):
 Some women are more prone to vaginal infections than others, and it sounds like you unfortunately might be one of them. Time to go see your doc again. Some women have a stronger smell than others, but what you describe sounds like an infection. You should try wearing breathable cotton underwear (not thongs), switching to an unscented soap/wash that is special-made for ladybits (this can be found near condoms and such at the drugstore), and be careful to wipe front to back.
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A
female
reader, Honeypie +, writes (3 August 2012):
 Go see your doctor again. A bacterial infection can reoccur. Wearing pads/tampons for long hours can cause the infection, and it can even be that it wasn't all the way cleared up last time.
Also, it could be the Ph balance below. Since blood have a way higher ph then the "normal" Ph of the vagina having your period can cause a higher Ph and combined with (for instance) wearing a tampon too long can cause a yeast/bacterial infection.
Usually the smell of ammonia (kind of like litterbox/cat pee) is due to vaginosis.
Go see the doctor again.
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A
female
reader, dmartin89  +, writes (3 August 2012):
 I also have the problem of bacterial vaginosis - it's quite common. Go to the pharmacy, they have gel sachets you can insert into your vagina which neutralise your vagina and get it to the right pH. The one i used is called 'Balance Activ' vaginal gel. Google it. It worked absolute wonders for me. One week after using it every nig and it's hardly come back.
Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an imbalance of pH in the vagina then your vagina will overwork to rebalance. I get it when i'm on my period (blood in vagina) and when i have sex with my boyfriend and dont clean myself up before going to sleep (semen in vagina). It can also be caused by using fragrenced bodywash. Make sure you use ladies intimate wash or 'simple's' fragrence free wash. Wash once a day, wear cotten knickers, not synthetic, avoid thongs, when you pee/poop wipe front to back. It might also be worth investing in a mooncup (google it) as tampons and towels can inflame bacterial vaginosis.
From a BV sufferer - good luck!
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A
female
reader, Tisha-1 +, writes (3 August 2012):
 Strong smells like that, especially the rotten one, should tell you that it's time to see the doctor again. We all have some small discharge and the consistency may vary depending on the time of the month, but the smell shouldn't be really strong or rotten. Lightly yeasty at most and not strong at all.
See your doctor again.
Best wishes.
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