[wallace15]

The thing is, nothing has changed since I was a young teenager. And whenever I talked to my mom about it, she never really said "Oh, all women have an odor." It is just now that I'm realizing this. I guess whenever I saw all those commercials on TV about how to "treat" your odor it made me assume that ALL of it was wrong or unnatural. It is news to me that all women experience a smell. Some are more sensitive to it than others, so I've read. Maybe I am super sensitive. I have recently stopped wearing pantiliners because I have heard this can cause more odor-causing bacteria. I wore them from the time I was 13 to now. I am still getting used to being without it. Maybe that's what I call "wet" but other people call "normal." I guess it just doesn't feel very "feminine" to have a smell and be all wet down there... but I guess it's actually the most feminine thing there is

I must be normal! My doctor told me I was, and she has seen/smelled more vulvas than I ever have!?!?

I really appreciate all the help you all have given me so far. I can say all this stuff and tell myself it's true, but then something inside me still doubts a bit...

[jns]

When it comes to marketing feminine hygiene products, they could be marketed to the few who genuinely have a problem, or they can be marketed to the masses. They have been marketed to the masses by making the masses believe there is a problem where there is none. Very large companies make a lot of money at this. Basically they don't care about the psychological trauma they create as long as they make "their" money. Sometimes they actually do harm, such as killing off good bacteria by changing the ph level. The ladies here can give you instructions on how to wash so you don't kill off your good bacteria.

It is better to use the word "scent" than "odor" as many times odor has a negative connotation.

[CHANDLERS WISH]

Mothers weren't told themselves about anything and especially as you were bought up with a religious background, she wouldn't converse over it

Like JNS stated, it is NOT an odor, rather a scent.

I remember getting "that time of the month" for the first time. I knew nothing about it? Nothing was told to me, imagine the shock lols, and the feeling of eweee but as I got to understand the whole thing, okay, I am all woman now, hear me roar

[wallace15]

Haha well my mother and I have had an open dialogue about this... I have told her about my issues regarding this subject and she actually has been the one who helped me get my insurance figured out, she has bought me different supplements and vitamins and probiotics. Last month when I felt like I was totally alone, I called her and told her how insecure and worthless I felt, and she was the one who told me we would get it figured out one way or another. So she has been willing to help me. But maybe she just never noticed her own scent, or just never thought of it much?

[wallace15]

I just remembered the free counseling service my university offers. Perhaps I will give that a try.

[CHANDLERS WISH]

We are all different and honestly that's what I am saying, your Mum may very well understand, levels of "smells" and because you are harping on it, she feels that must be the case, instead, as you have been told you are "normal" she's looking for something wrong too

Um, "Mum" do you like the smell of your discharge when you are horney?" would she answer lols sorry just visualising my mum going ewe be gone girl.