A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:my vagina really has been having this really funky embarrasing odor latley and I'm not sure why. I've never had sex before. is it infected?? how can I get the smelly odor away. also. I don't wanna tell my parents cuz I'm embarrassed
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male
reader, anonymous, writes (2 September 2013): go to a doctor!
A
female
reader, Aunty Babbit  +, writes (1 September 2013):
 It sounds like Bacterial Vaginosis or BV.This is NOT a sexually transmitted condition and is caused by a change in acidity in the vagina.You may notice a watery/grey discharge also although not all sufferers have this, the fishy odour is the give away.Vaginal deodorants or fragranced panty liners can cause this as well as soaps and showers gels or over douching and smoking.The treatment is very simple, see your doctor who will probably ask the nurse to take a swab and then prescribe you antibiotics (usually Metronidazole) to be taken orally for a week or maybe a gel to apply internally.You should notice an improvement very quickly. Once treated avoid the triggers mentioned above.That's the most likely scenario and not damaging to your sexual or reproductive health at all.Any other possibilities are along similar lines but BV is the most likely.:) AB x
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A
female
reader, Daisy_Daisy +, writes (1 September 2013):
 You should see a doctor. Both thrush and BV are actually aggravated by over cleaning down there with soap/ gel, so after you have a diagnosis and treatment you could start cleaning with an emollient cream to prevent further problems. Don't worry, I'm sure it's nothing serious but you do need to see a doctor. All the best.
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (1 September 2013): don't be embarrassed. getting an infection downstairs is like catching a cold. everyone in the world catches cold and every grown up female in the world gets vaginal infections from time to time. recovering from a cold is easy, and recovering from that infection is as easy.
talk to your mother. she's definitely had it a few times and she knows the procedure. since it's your first time, it's probably better to get yourself checked with a GP or nurse, but over-the-counter medicine is available as well.
if you wonder where the infection came from, it probably came from a tampon or a pad or even you own panties. change the brand of tampons/pads you use, and always air-dry your panties. if you can, dry your panties under sunlight.
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A
female
reader, Got Issues +, writes (1 September 2013):
 Could be BV, it's a pretty common infection and you don't have to have had sex to get it. It's easily cleared up with antibiotics that you take just once. You can go to a Dr/nurse or to a sexual health clinic. They've seen it all - and worse - before. They can also give you advice on avoiding future infections.
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A
female
reader, chigirl  +, writes (1 September 2013):
 Go see your doctor. Do you have any other symptoms like burning sensation when you pee, or itchyness? You can get an infection from many things, not just sex. Too much soap when washing, too little washing, not wiping correctly after being to the toilet, low immune defence etc. Sex is just one of many factors. I had urinary tract infection as a small child, hadn't had sex (mom even got me checked out at the doctors).
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (1 September 2013): Yes, you could have an infection. Both candida (yeast infection) and bacterial vaginosis can occur spontaneously in women regardless of their sexual activity.
A yeast infection usually smells yeasty (of course) and is usually accompanied by a white discharge and itching. It can be treated with a single tablet of an anti-fungal medicine and a cream. In the UK these are available from a pharmacy without a prescription but I'm not sure about the US.
Bacterial vaginosis smells more "fishy" and is accompanied by a watery discharge but may not itch as much. It requires treatment with antibiotics so you would need to visit a doctor.
Both kinds of infection are very common so do have a word with your mother - she's probably had it herself.
If you really can't talk to her you'll have to make a doctors appointment on your own.
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