posted
Hello, I have a quick question. I have noticed that after showering, my vaginal area will smell fresh for about seven hours or less, but then after that it will get a fishy smell which is very annoying/embarrassing. I decided to try that new Vagisil feminine wash with odor block protection to see if I could change this. I tried it once a day for two days, on the third day I noticed that the opening around my vagina was becoming very irritated, almost like a yeast infection. When I tried to have intercourse it was slightly painful. I stoped using the wash and though the irritation is still there, it is fading a bit. Is it possible that I am allergic to the vagisil wash? That just doesn't make sence because on the label it says that it is hypoallergenic, and that it is for sensitive skin. In the past I have always just used mild soap and water to clean that area. What would you suggest? If I am allergic to it, are there any other ways to keep that area smelling fresh longer? Thanks!
Posts: 40 | From: usa | Registered: May 2009
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posted
When you started noticing the fishy smell, did you check in with your healthcare provider to be sure it wasn't BV or another type of infection?
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63243 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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No, its been that way for as long as I can remember. I don't think it is due to an infection, I think that that is just how it smells when it isn't 100% clean.
Posts: 40 | From: usa | Registered: May 2009
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posted
A scent that is specifically fishy often IS a signal of an imbalance or infection. Have you ever had an exam to check this out? If you have not, I'd strongly suggest starting there, especially since you're also having genital irritation. If you do have an infection, especially one sticking around, treating it is important.
If you have been seen my a doctor when you've had that scent before, and your doctor said it was normal, then you can figure that is simply how you smell when you haven't just taken a shower.
For the most part, genitals don't smell "fresh." They smell like genitals. And while a fishy scent isn't typical for healthy genitals, a musky scent is.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63243 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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Oh ok, I get that checked out. Out of curiousity, does it make a difference that the smell is not all the time? Because like I said, when I shower everything smells fine, it is just a little while later that it starts smelling bad.
Posts: 40 | From: usa | Registered: May 2009
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posted
The scent from an infection can come and go a bit, just like our body scent can change or come and go a bit.
So, frankly, with you talking about irritation and a fishy smell, I'd just not rule out infection until a healthcare provider does.
If they do say you don't have any kind of infection, then by best advice would be to switch back to a very mind soap, being sure to ONLY use it externally. Any kind of wash that says it's deodarizing just isn't something you want to use on your genitals, even if it says it's for sensitive skin. Agents like that are often players in infections and imbalances, and again, your vulva isn't a pine forest or a rose garden, it's a vulva, and it's okay for it to smell like one.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63243 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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