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Foul, strong vaginal smell while NOT on period, no bacteria/STDs.

My girlfriend, 25 years old has a very strong vaginal odor, she has gotten tested for STDS and infections and everything came out negative. She does have an IUD and has had it for 3 years. The odor is strongest while intercourse. She does not itch or burn. There are no other side effects associated with the smell. The smell is not fishy necessarily but not "normal" by all means, has a bit of an iron/metal smell to it, like blood, she however has poor iron levels and has been diagnosed with Lupus. The smell goes away completely right before her period and throughout. Abstinence does not correct the smell issue either. The smell is too strong to ignore. Here are some facts:

Female, 25, no STDS, no douching, takes pro-biotics and eats the special good bacteria yogurt. Smokes cigarettes, doesn't drink alcohol, IUD for 3 years, she has been diagnosed with Lupus, has taken antibiotics to treat the smell even though her doctor did not find any signs of chemical imbalance or infection.
24 Responses
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Avatar universal
I have the same problem with the fishy odor and light discharge. Im 20 Years old and feel like there is something wrong with me. I went to get tested for EVERYTHING and al came back negative. I will definitely try the vinegar and see what that does. I have honestly tried everything and still cant seem to figure the issue out. Thanks for the tip !
Helpful - 3
Avatar universal
I;ve had this issues for years. I tried phD Femine Health Support Vaginal Suppositories. I swear, these things saved my life and an embarrassing issue IVe had for years. I used to wear tampons and panty liners daily. After the first day of using the phd Suppositories, I've never had an issue again. I got mines from Amazon.
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1 Comments
Can you share the link? I'm finding tons of responses
Avatar universal
I have this issue as well. It has been going on for about 3 months now. I went to see the ob/gyn and was prescribed one dose of flagyl. The sample she took showed yeast overgrowth. I also had a pap done and there were apparently no concerning results. Taking the medication made it all better....for about a week and a half. I am going back in two days for a follow-up because I have been dealing with the odor for a couple of weeks again and it is overwhelming to me. I can shower but smell like fish shortly after. It is driving me nuts. Same as above, I have none of the smell during my period. In fact it is a welcome relief from the awful smell.
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
Same for me!
Avatar universal
I've got this problem too! It's so off-putting for me (partner doesn't seem to mind, though he does notice it) I hate sex at certain times of the month. The smell is fishy, but only present during sex (not after or before) and goes away during the few days each month that I feel really horny (because I'm on the pill, that weirdly is before and during my period). My tests came back clear also. Since I'm 43 and experiencing perimenopause, I've concluded that lack of oestrogen is making my vagina's PH less than ideal so the normal bacteria are inbalanced. Doctor didn't help at all, so that's just my diagnosis. For now, all I can do is talk really openly about it with my partner and keep the "penetrative" part of sex to the minimum (which is surprisingly erotic and renewing my waning libido). I really feel for those of you younger girls who are having to deal with this though.
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2 Comments
I also have this problem at certain times of the month or even of the year. I have a hormonal imbalance at the age of 28 due to benign ovarian cysts, which I found out is more common in young women than I thought. They influence male hormone precursors I'm told which upset the estrogen precursor balance amongst other things. This leads to all kinds of side effects like ph balance and bacterial problems in the vagina. Dryness, too. Birth control pills seemed to help those things, but it made me so nauseous and sleepless that I had to stop them. Hope this helps anyone going through these symptoms understand another possible cause. I too thought I had some weird infection before getting evaluated for cysts.
Weird! I am 29. I've gotten this small and I have noticed it goes away (or gets very faint) for just a few days exactly at the same time it happens to you.
Avatar universal
I have a very similar problem.  The smell started about a year ago for no apparent reason.  Same boyfriend for the past 4 years, same birth control pill for the past 2 years, no smoking or drinking or drugs.  It smells very metallic as opposed to fishy.  2 PAP smears have come back normal and my doctor simply tells me that some women smell more strongly than others.

This smell is so strong that sex has become embarrassing and unpleasant.  Neither abstinence nor sex makes it stronger or weaker.  The only time I smell somewhat normal now is during my period, which actually smells BETTER than what comes out the other 3 weeks.

I have always had a strong smell and excrete quite a bit during the day, but the smell was never unpleasant or embarrassing.  Even after a shower the smell is still there.  I can't even open my legs during the day without getting a whiff.

If anyone has found any solutions, please let me know.  Also, I have never been diagnosed with lupus.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I have the same smell, all test came back negative. I have a dr appt. Today for further analysis. I found that sugar is causing my smell. It's not a fishy smell it's a weird strong smell. I've been dealing with this for 2-3 years. Try cutting sugar out of your diet. And the only thing that makes the smell go away is monistat 1. I have fibroids, and intercourse disrupts them and sugar irritates the vaginal walls. This is my own analysis. Today I'm hoping I get some kind of answers.
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4 Comments
They think sugar is causing this?  As in your eating too much in your diet?  I've heard that can increase yeast infections.  This is very interesting. Thanks for sharing that.
My doctor does not know what's causing it. So we are doing ultra sounds and urethra scope. I noticed on my own that sugar causes the symptoms. Try cutting sugar out. It works for me. My husband an I stopped intercourse for 3 week an then I tried sugar an I was able to eat sugar with no issues. But as soon as we started intercourse an drank or ate anything with sugar the symptoms came back.
Wow, that's interesting how sugar seems to affect you. Come back and tell me what the ultrasound and urethra scope shows, okay??
I sure will
Avatar universal
I had similar issue but drank a Chinese tea that cleaned that area and worked. If you want to try it, let me know and i can share the tea.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
What’s the name of the tea?
What’s the tea and where can you get it?
Avatar universal
I am 26 years old i have a foul odor down there for a long time now. It’s started on and off from i was 17. It became a constant thing now and during sex it’s embarrassing because i feel I’m smelling myself. This issue is killing my self esteem. I no longer want to have sex and that has put a huge strain on my marriage. I have taken every test there is and everything’ Came back normal. I have tried all type of pills, and Suppository  it but nothing seem to work. I’m in like deep desperation at this point...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ido have to add as soon as I resumed having sex I got it again and ai got tested for vaginal infections and STDs they eere negative. So Im not sure what caused it if its hormonal or bacteria.
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1 Comments
From the time i was 19-29, my vagina was clean and healthy and it was great! I was very confident sexually because of it. When i was 29, my boyfriend cheated on me and gave me a nasty infection named trichomoniasis. It was really horrible. Smelled like rotting garbage. So i was given antibiotics like you described. The antibiotics made me so sick that I ended up having to leave work and go home. The infection went away, but so did my healthy vagina! Ever since then, i will get an infection ANY time a man cums inside me. I told that guy about the std and we were never together again after that. Something in those antibiotics altered my vagina for what seems permanently. That happened back in 2006! I wish so badly that i could have my old healthy vagina back. My vagina is fine, as long as they don't *** inside. It never used to be like that. Its really frustrating!!! I actually avoid relationships because of it now.
Avatar universal
I had the same problem and I would get  tested left and right for STds vaginal infections and negative.

So I switched to a new doctor and she told me that there may be a bacteria causing it but they do not test or does not show up in the cultures or exams. She prescribed me a dose azitromycin  of four white pills and that took the problem away for the time I stopped having sex. Idk if the odor is caused by having new partners or their sperm causes it. I
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
You might try having the partners wear condoms after you have had a course of antibiotics and feel the problem has gone away. This will tell you whether you are getting it from them (their sperm or just their body).
Avatar universal
One more thing to original commenter, doctors do see a link between smoking cigarettes and ovary cysts at a young age in women. I smoked them since 16 years old. I got off them asap when I heard they could possibly effect my reproductive system like that.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
ive been dealing with this for years and i also have been checked for any and every possible std and infection imaginable. The change in my discharge came after i went off the depo provera . Im starting to wonder if perhaps the problem is hormonal ?
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Avatar universal
Has anyone figured out what this is????
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Avatar universal
what's the name of the treatment you mentioned in your comment?
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Maybe it IS a reaction to the man's sperm. An infection he has or something he is consuming. Or, if he is UNCIRCUMCISED. It could be a protozoa ir fungal infection, bacterial vaginosis. Also, is she wiping correctly? Front to back only! Lastly, No rearentry, then vaginal action. It can transfer germs/bacteria. Get checked for intestinal worms.
Avatar universal
Hi, I'm a 40 year old woman. I've never had an odor problem and actually my past boyfriends and current husband tells me they've never smelled a woman fresher with a taste of cleanness.  Here's my routine..I hope this helps you. I only use lever 2000 orginial soap, all others soaps are too heavily perfumed..which can and will throw off my PH and I use very light perfumes on my chest and stomach area only. I douche once a month three days after my period goes off. When I was in my twenties I was douching three times a week when my GYN-o told me I was washing away my utereus lining and advised me to douche only once a month because our vagina naturally cleans itself...which it does. I shower twice a day, three times when my period is on and I don't sit down in the tub. I also uses pads during my period...not stick ups. Try wearing all cotton panties so your area can breathe and don't wear any to bed.  
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
My vagina used to be as prestine as yours and I i did nothing but shower one a day. Your routine is way too much work. However, the problem we seem to have comes from something changing.. Something not normal.. Not a lack of cleaning.  
Avatar universal
Its crazy Ihave the exact issue! The smeel goes away during my mentual  cycle! I fact thats the only time it smells normal! I always run frm one obgyn to the next they keep saying I have re urrent bacterial infections or atleast thats what they treat me for but after the antibiotics i soo after get a yeast infection. The smells clears for awhile then comes back. Abstinece doesnt necessarily help, nor does protected sex with condoms.. Sometime the smell is fishy but primarily its undescribalbe (not fishy just somethkng foul) ive went frm test to teat no std's nothing abnormal! Its quite embarrassing and themore i stress a out it the worst it gets! I have an obsessive amount of discharge but some woman do more than others. The oly time i disnt have this ordor as much was when i  was on the depo but my hair fell out i was depressed so on so forth but at this point i feel like at the rate im going id ratger the hair lost tha. The ordor! :( help!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I’ve had the same problem of vaginal odor and finally solved it, and it was so easy!!  I feel so much better and so much more comfortable now that it’s resolved.  I wanted to post something about this because I noticed on a lot of comments when I was searching for answers that people are going on antibiotics and that may not be necessary.

I got a Mirena IUD about 2 months ago and I’ve had some form of spotting/bleeding/discharge most days since I got it.  My doctor told me that should clear up after about 3 months.  I ended up noticing that my vaginal odor was getting worse and worse no matter how much I washed and I was feeling really embarrassed about it.  My doctor told me that because of constantly having blood in my vagina (even a small amount) I ended up with bacterial vaginosis (he tested me for it).  Thank goodness the solution was simple.  He told me to douche twice a day (I’ve only done it once a day) with a vinegar douche.  He specifically said not to use anything except vinegar and water.  I went to a drugstore to buy a douching product just to get the applicator (I bought summer’s eve douche – which should probably not be used because it has fragrance in it and it could make things worse).  I got a 1 liter screw-cap wine bottle, washed it out and rinsed it well and mixed 2 TBS of apple cider vinegar (you can also use plain white vinegar) and filled the rest with water.  I dumped out the Summer's Eve douche and refill the applicator and use it in the shower, making sure to wash it between uses.  The reason this works is because the vinegar makes your vaginal PH more acidic (the way it’s supposed to be) so that the bad bacteria die out.  It made a huge difference after just one use and that was about a week ago.  I can’t believe how much better I feel now.  If you want to get something that’s a little longer lasting than douching, I also bought a product called Rephresh which is great too.  Just google it to get more info.  Good luck girls!  Don’t worry – there’s a simple solution that you can do today for virtually no cost.    
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've had 2 learn how to regulate my vaginas behavior. Condems realy leave a bad smell on my vagina after intercourse. During sex I hav no smell at all I mean water. Then later I will sweat a metalic oder. Bv was very hard to control but I found this homopathic treatment sort of like vitamins to keep ur vagina clean and ph balanced. U can buy at any rite aid or drugs store
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1 Comments
Your message got cut off what vitamins did you use
Avatar universal
Hi i (22 yr old female, have had my mirena iud removed to try fix the smell). I have had regular monthly smears to try and work out if its an infection (bacterial vaginonis which is basically a smear but it tests for the bv instead of cancer cells) or anything majorly abnormal and so far no luck, doctors, family planning people and alternative health professionals have all given me the once over to basically say i seem perfectly healthy. My current gp has said that it could be abnormal flora (stuff that grows to keep the bacteria fed. so to speak) growth and that the ph level is not quite right from the copper and should normalize over time.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have Lupus and got my biggest flare up ever this past summer.I always smelled great and taste very good also.
Since this summer i have a salty taste in my mouth and a strong fishy smell in my vagina.No burning,no discharge.But an awfull strong fishy smell when i have sex with my boyfriend.It comes and go.
I was really wondering what it was but i am almost certain it is Lupus related.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I think its possible that she has bacterial vaginosis.  The treatment for bacterial vaginosis (which is hard to treat and many times reoccurs) is either flagyl 2x daily for one week.  Or metrogel inserted vaginally for 5 days.  Maybe take her to the health department or a planned parenthood.  While BV isn't sexually transmitted if left untreated it could cause pelvic inflammatory disease which could lead to infertilty.  She needs to see a doctor and be tested for this.  They take a sample and look at it under the microscope.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The smell is definetly not normal and while I strongly I believe everyone is different and of course has a different smell, this one is too strong and it just doesn't smell natural, it does have a faint hint of that oh-so-common fishy smell, but it's not the same as I know how that one goes with bv. She doesn't have an OBGYN, she goes to a midwife, but I want her to go to another doctor, her midwife did notice the smell and she was the one who prescribed this 2-dosage antibiotic even though she did not find anything in the lab tests. After taking the antibiotic, a couple of days later I did not notice any smell but it came back a couple of days after. However she can't just take antibiotics all the time because of her Lupus.
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Also, if her IUD has copper in it, you might be smelling the copper.  My old IUD did, and I could always smell a coppery tint to my vaginal secretions.  Has the ob-gyn confirmed that the smell is actually unusual, or is it just unusual to you two?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
well if she has been checked out for everything, then maybe its just her. there is no "normal" smell. We are all different.
Helpful - 0
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