Fishy odor

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2003
Fishy odor
1
Sun, 11-13-2005 - 3:22pm

Hi!

I'm suffering from vaginal odour, it is not very strong but it is enough for my bf not wanting to give me oral pleasure (this is a little embarrasing but i guess i'm not the only girl suffering from the same problem).
I have no infection or at least i don't have any other symptom and i'm almost sure i have a healthy and hygienic vaginal area. My gynecologist told me it is alright for a woman to have some odor but obviously it is enough to bother my bf a little bit.
I take a shower everyday and I wouldn't say that i'm not hygienic with my vagina. I used to wash that area with soap until one year ago my new gynecologist (at that time) told me not to do it because it would only make the problem worst (because the soap dries that area). So i wash myself always just with water since my gynecologist has the motto "treat your vagina like you would treat your eye".
So what could possibly be the problem then? If anybody wants to share some ideas, tricks, tipps please do...

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: liliunya
Sun, 11-13-2005 - 6:57pm

Hi liliunya, welcome!

We all have our own distinctive scents and some are more pronounced than others. but if there is a noticeable change in scent may be a symptom of a problem that needs attention. If the fishy odor is something new you may have Bacterial Vaginosis. BV often has a colored discharge along with a fishy smell but can have no symptoms at all. Here is an article about Bacterial Vaginosis: http://familydoctor.org/234.xml. If you haven't been tested for BV it might be a good idea just to see what is going on.

You might try washing your vulva with a mild soap occasionally in the shower and rinse well and see if that makes a difference. Also, semen, especially if your partner has been eating meat or spicy foods, can have a strong odor so depending on circumstances that might be where the scent is coming from.

Thanks for posting. If you have more questions, please ask. Let us know what your doctor says and how you're doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill