Very Brave post...vaginal Odor

In my last job I was a technical sales rep calling on OBGYNs and other women's Heath clinics. To have this going on for years is crazy. There are simple swab tests that can get you the answer and the proper treatment. They really need to pinpoint the organism causing the issue so it can be treated properly. If you have to push for the proper testing, please do so. You shouldn't have to suffer for years like this. Good luck

Well I use non scented everything bc I am super sensitive, especially there! I use the Summer's Eve Sensitive feminine wash every shower and I wear an extra long, body shape carefree pantiliner every day. I am just one of those people isn't very dry several days a month and I tend to sweat a lot! Those two things can lead to some less than favorable scents if allowed to! The main thing for me is to be thorough when I wash and stay dry. So a non scented pantiliner is crucial. Sorry you are going through this, good luck!

I don't have any advice other than what others gave you, only to comment on what the rude woman a few answers below stated. How did this help her, your comment? We need to support, not practice rudeness.

E.,

Since I'm not a Dr. I am only going to hazard a guess. You have an on-going infection or an organism (which causes infections) that causes the odor.

Your diet can cause odor as well. Take a serious look at your diet - what you consume - it will affect your smell as well.

You may be washing away your good bacteria away.

Different types of infections - so I need to ask...
Do you have itching?
Do you have burning?
Do you have any other discharge - cottage cheese like? Yellow?

If you have a YEAST infection - you would have white, cottage cheese-like discharge as well as swelling and pain around the vulva
Intense itching. You don't mention this so I don't think it's that.

Then there is bacterial vaginosis, which is white, gray or yellowish vaginal discharge. A fishy odor that is strongest after sex or after washing with soap along with Itching or burning. And slight redness and swelling of the vagina or vulva.

This one is an STD - trichomoniasis. A watery, yellowish or greenish bubbly discharge and an unpleasant odor. Pain and itching when urinating. Usually most apparent after your period

http://www.cdc.gov/std/trichomonas/STDFact-Trichomoniasis...

So instead of trying OTC (over the counter) cures. Go to your doctor and find the root cause of the odor.

hope this helps! I hope your gynecologist will find out what's going on.

Do you maybe have a high yeast count? Try acidophilus vitamins every other day.

See if this helps... wouldn't hurt

High yeast count has nothing to do with a yeast infection

One of the best ways to bathe is to take a bath rather than a shower, that soaks the perineal area better than just water from a shower and will probably clean the folds of the skin better. However, most odor comes from within. You might try eating more yogurt. There are also articles online about using yogurt internally almost like a douche, but personally, I'd be afraid to do that. The first thing that comes to mind is a yeast infection. You might also examine your diet. Some foods can create a body odor. You might do some research on this.

See your gyn... you could have bacterial vaginosis or something along that line. If it's that profound that you aren't having sex, it needs to be checked out.

If your GYN can't help you, then try a naturopath.

Go to your doctor and see if you have an infection.
And if you do, even if it is a yeast infection, it will go back and forth between you and your Husband, and it will not go away.

I think this was a brave post!!! And to me, milk smells like vomit; even if it's not expired.

Thoughts that came to my mind were:
*are you prone to infections; yeast, bladder etc
*do you urinate often, do you drink plenty of water
*what kind of underwear do you wear, silk, cotton, thong, etc
*have you always had this odor or maybe from intercourse, your husband has something to do with this odor
*watch your diet and long it

Best wishes, I'm sure by asking this *Brave* question, you've helped someone else

I've read about women who have unknowingly left something inside. Perhaps a piece of a tampon. You can reach inside and feel for it or have your doctor look with a speculum.

Have you ever asked your OBGYN about this? Gardnerella bacteria gives women a fishy odor, so that's probably not what you have. But you probably have some other kind of bacteria.

In Canada you used to be able to buy something called an iodine or betadine vaginal suppository, which totally worked. I don't know if it's still used, but here's one link:

http://bioportal.bioontology.org/ontologies/RXNORM?p=clas...

They make betadine douches, but they are probably not as effective as the suppositories. Check out the douches at your local pharmacy, and ask the pharmacist about the betadine suppositories.

Anyway, you probably have some kind of bacterial infection, so you should probably go to your doctor and bug him/her until the problem is fixed.

Bath in white vinegar!!!!!!! Old grandma trick. Buy a big gallon of white vinegar, very cheap only like 3$, put about 4 cups in your bath water bath as normal try and stay away of any type of moisturizing products down there and any perfumed pads or tampons, change your bath soap to yellow dial antibacterial it should help. I've done this my entire adult life and have never had any type of vag odor or a yeast inf. NEVER and I'm 36 and two babies!! The vinegar also helps with dry itchy skin in the winter. And no it doesn't burn or make you smell like a salad. lol Also I use to work for a OB/GYN one doc would tell some patients to put yogurt on a tampon and insert it for a couple hours, I've never done it but know people who have and it helps. BUT DEFINATLY see your gyne!

I would bring it up with your ObGyn next time. Fishy smells are an indication of an infection, yeast smells different. They can do a pH test and see what is going on,

If the antibiotic didn't work, you need to return to your doctor. The odor is caused by something, and they should run some test swabs to find out what it is. You may need a stronger antibiotic, or it might not be bacterial at all.

Stop putting things in your vagina though, because you're almost certainly making the problem worse.

What about your diet, that plays a huge role.. Trying drinking more water, like say up to 32 oz a day.. try this for a week and see if anything changes..

You say you have been on an antibiotic, so I am assuming you have consulted with your doctor...? What does (s)he say? I would think a doctor should be able to get to the bottom of this or have an explanation for you, and if not, you need to get a second opinion.

Make an appt w/ your OBGYN.

E., try keeping a food diary. I think that something that you are eating is causing this. You should start an elimination diet to see if it makes a difference. It will take you a while, but try to be "Sherlock Holmes" in figuring this out.

Vagisil is a good wash that is very gentle on your labial tissues. I would NOT use harsh soap down there. You could cause a problem in addition to the one you already have.

Copy and paste all the helpful answers here and take them to your doctor at your next appointment. And like you, I have no idea why one of these posters would wonder why this is a brave post, or think you were talking about drinking milk - duh!!!!!

Good luck and I hope you and your doctor can figure this out!!

Change your diet. What you eat has a direct effect on how you smell. Cut out different food groups and see how it goes. Don't expect a better diet to fix it over night, it takes awhile for your body to balance. Also, keep working with a doctor to find the source if a change in diet does not help.

I haven't read the other responses.

The vaginal personal hygiene care efforts you list are not the ones I would recommend for basic, natural vaginal care.

Always remember, that your vagina is a natural, self-cleaning oven - IF - you maintain certain healthy habits.

Taking antibiotics - kills ALL the natural flora, even the 'good' bugs. So you must counter treat yourself with PRO-biotics. Those are sold in every health food store and are found in natural yogurts. So, you must eat yougurt daily, or use probiotics.

Using things like FDS - is typically a very BAD idea. It also causes problems with your self-cleaning oven's ability to self-clean. So STOP those and never use them again. Instead, sit in a nice warm bath and fill with 1 Cup of white vinegar. Vinegar has a natural PH and will normalize the PH of your vagina.

And you must wear only 100% cotton underwear, with cotton pants. Never nylons.

And don't use harsh soaps, just plain water.

It's also highly recommended that you eat / ingest good vinegars every day in your diet. like on a salad, sprinkled on beans, etc.

I'm curious, did you actually apply the Amlactin cream 'down there' and that close to your vagina? I have used Amlactin creams for my skin, as I have a genetic condition where my skin does not naturally slough off as it should. So it was supposed to speed up the shedding pace of my skin, and yes I smelt rather milky. But I found it faster just to scrub harder.

HTH!

Are you sure you smell funny?
I mean really, vaginas don't smell all that great. BUT, it's an aphrodesiac (dude, that is so spelled wrong). Men are often turned on by the smell.
I dont' think milk smells funny. So maybe you are just uber conscious of smells? Have you cut down the hair down there? Maybe it's just funky vaggy hair?
What says the husband? You say it's put a damper on your sex life, but you don't say if it's because you are so worried or if it's because your husband has said something.
L.

Antibiotics can cause vaginal infection. Try an OTC vaginal infection cure. If this doesn't work talk to your doctor.

It could also be something as simple as using head and shoulder to wash with, it contains Zinc which is not only used for dandruff. But as was as bacteria. Since you've asked a delicate question I will too. Do you keep yourself groomed? If you are all natural you may have some bacteria growing that you can't see. If that's the case maybe alittle landscaping is needed and wash with HS. Also if your not already wearing cotton only underware you should probably start, tight jeans can also cause bacteria to grow more rapidly. If none of this helps call your Dr. again. Using some corn starch to help you stay dry will help, just stay away from powders with perfume. They can cause more problems.

I had this problem whenever I took vitamins. I actually get sick to my stomach from vitamins so I don't take them any more but I thought I'd throw it out there for you in case you're a vitamin taker. If you are, maybe go a week or so without them and see if your problem improves.

If you've already seen a Dr, I say get a 2nd opinion....

What does your doctor say?

I agree with others that recommend taking/eating good bacteria. Eat yogurt with multiple strains in it and maybe take a supplement too. Maybe use a condom for awhile in case your husband is the source of the problem or you keep passing it back and forth. I liked Coriss P.'s post also, sounds like she had some good ideas. Good luck and you have my sympathies. That is a tough issue to have to live with.