[MelissaV]

I have had a chronic vaginal odor that began in year 2000. Came on very suddenly and hasn't stopped. In 2007 it was most severe, I could clear a large room with the odor. The odor is comparable to unwashed belly button or unwashed behind. No discharge, no irritation, no pain. No infections or STD's ever diagnosed. Doctors keep telling me I am normal down there, except the odor. The odor is coming from within the vaginal lips, not from inside of my vaginal hole, which makes me think its the glands in my vulva area. Its especially bad when I sweat from working out or nervousness, many times I can just be sitting at the computer while at work and it starts up. No, its not from skin surrounding the thighs or skin around vagina. I have tried yeast medications, BV medications, Hephresh and other deodorant suppositories, including the sprays, wipes and powders. Washed with and without soaps. Tried different douches. Tried different diets, drank alot of water. Tried different types of fabric for underwear, I don't wear tight clothes, actually wear loose clothes. Odor started while I was skinny, still had it when I gained weight, still have the problem now I am skinny again. In the last few months, the odor down there has improved some but still existent. Is there anyone who is experiencing this, who has been seen by doctors countless times, tested and never diagnosed for any STD's or infections? Or maybe anyone has heard of this problem before and have a suggestion for a cure? This is insanity, 14 years and no cure? I am unable to get involved in a relationship because I cannot have sex due to the odor. Yes, I am begging for advice but please read all of what I have already tried before offering any advice. I need direction other than the methods I have already tried. Thank you. I really hope to fix this problem.

[MelissaV]

Additional information, I don't have sex, I don't put anything inside of me, I have never even had a drop of semen in my body. No surgeries ever done.

[Stillness]

Did anything change in 2000? Medication? Hormonal? Diet?

[MelissaV]

Hmmm, posted comment but don't see it go thru. Yes, in 2000 I was put on antidepressant along with a group of women. They had same problem but it went away for them. As for me it never stopped. Nurse told me she believed those meds caused the problem because she knew other female patients having same problem. Doctors wont consider it because its not listed as a side effect.

[MelissaV]

As for diet...I have been all over the map. I have tried vegan, vegetarian, fish, and meat. Desperately trying to resolve my problem. There is one thing I heard that we have two glands down there that secrete discharge naturally. But sometimes if they touch, mix, it creates a foul odor. One suggestion was spray salt water on those two glands located between the rectum and vagina. Havent tried it but going to try. Have you heard of it?

[MelissaV]

Its called the bartholin's gland

[jns]

In 2007 it was most severe, I could clear a large room with the odor.

Is this rhetorical or did something like this actually happen? Have you gotten feedback from others about the odor?

It sounds like some sort of bacterial or fungal infection that is hidden within the glands or ducts from the glands.

[AlisonW]

I am sure you must be worried about this but are you sure it's not just you being sensitive about it. Do you have a close friend or family member that you can ask whether they are aware of it? Someone I know used to be very self conscious about underarm odour but I could never smell it.

[Stillness]

jns and AlisonW ask some good questions. I have another. Have you tried any natural stuff like an organ cleanse?

I also wonder if you believe your doctor. I don't. It seems too farfetched that you and others dealt with this after the medication but that it's unrelated. Sometimes that kind of stuff gets the body out of whack and you just need to figure out that one thing that can help it get back in line. Mine was messed up for 17 years until I stumbled on the one thing that got me right.

[MelissaV]

No, the odor is not my imagination. Friends, family, and classmates have commented to me about it. More humiliating is when I'm out in public and strangers comment on it, they are not nice about it either, comments like "You smell like ***, or she smells like ***." A close friend of mine actually pulled me aside and started off with "Hey, you know I like to use powder right after a shower...." I stopped her right there and said "Just tell me outright what your trying to say. I already know what it is but I want to hear you say it." And yes, she said she could smell really bad vagina from me. One time the doctor didnt believe me and accused my imagination of being the problem. I usually wiped clean prior to exam...so this time I chose not to. And it had only been a couple hours since my last shower. I went in there ALL NATURAL. When the doctor got down there for a look I said "You smell it now or is it BOTH of our imaginations?" She promptly said, "Yes, yes, I smell it." Sorry for being so blunt. Its humiliating but I have gotten so used to to my foul odor that I will be upfront about it. Try living 14 years like this. Completely limits your social life and choice of work place. I have to choose jobs where I can work alone.