Vaginal Discharge

L.,
I have the same problem...my doc can't find anything wrong either- so glad to hear someone else is going through the same thing. And, I'm pregnant so, it worries me that something is wrong and they just can't find it. I have no solutions- just compassion!!

I had this proble BUT not for 5 years.. I went to the doctor and she basically told me that I had a vaginal infection. TRY REPHRESH. IT is over the counter. You may have to use it a couple of times.. ..but it really got rid of the odor and balanced my PH. Maybe try a different soap down there, they have Summer's Eve soap, you could try.

I have always been told that if the discharge has a bad odor you have an infection and need to be on antibiotics... I would get another opinion, of course it is normal to a POINT, maybe after your monthly visit ect.. but not all the time... www.athomebusiness.myarbonne.com L.

I know this may sound kooky, but I have been going to accupuncture to help normalize my cycle. With all things like this, I am pretty much a skeptic, but already I have gotten relief. I used to have HORRIBLE pain with ovulation, and now I have to rely on the opk's and basal temps to let me know when I am ovulating. It helps bring your body into balance. If you have any questions let me know. I can also provide a reference to someone.

LP

That is not normal, I would seek another Doctor opinion ! to have odor also & to use panti-liners, something could be wrong ! Usually your once a month cycle would be it.
Good Luck !

I hear some woman just have more than others. Every woman has some sort of discharge. Maybe you should talk to one of the nurses next time you have your yearly checkup. They seem to give me real good advice. Sincerely P.

I do. I don't take birth control or anything, either, and I've had a discharge for as long as I can remember. Atleast since h/s. I don't think there's anything you can really do about it. Aside from being annoying, I don't think there's anything wrong, either. I guess some of us are just "blessed"? You might want to try buying some of the flushable wipes and wiping with those when you go to the bathroom. It should help you not feel the need to actually take a full shower before sex and keep you a little cleaner down there. Maybe keep a couple of the wipes in a ziplock with you so you can wash a little better after sex and feel a little cleaner until you can take a shower. It might help put a little spontaneity back in the relationship. Good luck!!

A 'slight' odor doesn't necessarily mean a bad odor. If it has a fishy or medicine type smell, then it could be a bacterial infection. Discharge will always have a slight odor but that doesnt necessarily mean it's bad. You could just be self conscious or sensitive to smell. I know sometimes if I'm not fresh from a shower, I'm self conscious during sex, but my husband says its a "female" smell, not a bad smell. So if the odor you smell is actually foul, then it is not normal.
Also, if this discharge is thick and clumpy, that's another sign of infection(usually yeast or bacterial).
Keep baby wipes or those Summer's Eve wipes in the bathroom so you can wipe throughout the day if it makes you feel cleaner.

Some discharge is perfectly normal. Have you tried douching after your cycle? Maybe a green tea douche will help with the discharge and oder. Does your husband complain about the smell? If it doesn't stop him from loving on you, don't worry about it.

Another thought is this: Around every seven years or so our bodies go through a hormone change. This could just be your body dealing with an odd hormone level. Has anything else been different for the last five years?

Good luck to you.

I hear ya! If you have ruled out a bacterial infection, or major wack in your v**. flora what works for me is two-fold. Try rephresh (not replense)as directed. THis kinda thins things out and keep stuff moving. A nice side effect is once it starts 'working' you will find yourself more willing physically to have sex. You cannot use it more than the every 3-4 days as instructed.

A MAJOR helper too (even though it sounds funny) is to get yourself some small girlie clippers (for bikini line - they have at walmart)and use those to clip close all OVER down there. You don't have to bald it. Just like when you shave your armpits, and your deordorant works better because of better air-flow.

I honestly still wear a panty liner for like the first half of the day and ditch it in the afternoon and I think it helps alot if you don't even wear unders at night.

Anyway, good luck. This regimine has truly worked majic for me!

Dear Leslie,

I totally understand your problem. This usually happened to me right before my period. I actually told my Gynecologist about it and how it had a bad odor, she said it was a bacteria. I don't remember exactly what she called it. So the last time I had my pap smear exam she cured it with a medicine on the inside and I have to say that I don't have that problem anymore. You should tell your doctor exactly what you have and that it has an odor to it and hopefully they can cure it for you.

I have had this for many years and all of my doctors have said that this is perfectly normal. Essentially it is normal bacteria that builds up. It can be worse when you wear tight clothing and panties that are not natural fibers or in the summer. Something that has worked for me (and I know this will sound silly, but a female doctor suggested it) is to "air myself out" at night. Wear no panties to bed with loose bottoms, a nightgown, or nothing at all ;) I still have enough discharge right before and after menses to need a pantyliner, but the rest of the time it is minimal.

Maybe you should visit the OBGYN when you actually have the discharge visible so that they may examine and determine why it is so consistant. Normally when there is any odor, there may be an indication of internal infection. This may also go inpart with any other symptoms such as irritation and appearance. Keep this in mind when you plan on going for a fourth opinion.

Yes, had the same thing, and it's aweful. After no relief from seeing regular doctors, I went to see a nutritionist in Arlington, Dr. David Holland. He put me on a anti-fungal diet, prescribed Diflucan and Nystatin. In two weeks, it was gone, and has not returned. My face also cleared up from acne bumps, and my abdomen shrunk to a new dress size. He recently moved to El Paso, but he does have a website, but do not have. You can get more info at wwww.knowthecause.com. Doug Kauffman has great resources on this subject as well as a wonderful link section that will provide you with great info.

my sis has this prob! She's never had kids, but tried several dif. types of birth control methods to help "fix" it. After a couple dif. ones, her doc. just told her "to quit trying to "fix" it-it is normal, happens often to others, and nothing to worry about." But she too doesn't like it and often feels un-clean. He told her it is just "her" and they can try to fix it but it would be like fighting nature and trying to fix something NOT broken!

Sorry for not helping to "fix" it, but at least you will know you are not in it alone!

T.

I had something like this too, but it turned out to be a bacterial infection cured with antibiotics, but it kept coming back. Nothing worked for long, until my husband took the antibiotics at the same time I did. After we cleared everything up with antibiotics my doctor advised probiotics (even a simple yogurt drink will work) and told me that limiting the amount of yeast I eat on a daily basis can help keep the my body from overproducing yeast. That was two years ago and after following his advice, I have not had any problems since. Good luck!

I have had same problem. It is basically acid from our system. Also I read some where that some blood type does have hard time to get rid off acid than other. O+ type is one of them. All I did was, drank up to four cups of water first thing in the morning. I started with one and got up to four. I was clean within a month.

If you are not currently on birth control, then you may be experiencing perfectly normal cervical fluid. When your cycle is not being altered by birth control pills and other hormonal birth control methods, then you should be having "discharge" every month. It will change throughout your cycle (sticky, creamy, slippery/eggwhite, etc). Many people actually "chart" this fluid along with their basal temperature to determine when they are ovulating (to prevent or acheive pregnancy). This fluid is necessary to help semen reach the egg. Google fertility awareness method (FAM) for more info. I had been on birth control for so long that I had never had this fluid, so when I got off the pill a few years back, I thought I was having infections. But now I know that this is just part of a healthy woman's monthly cycle. Most doctors are completely clueless about this as well!

Oh my goodness...Yep! Sure do. Embarrassing to say! I had my first child about 4 1/2 years ago and started to really notice it then. It's been constant since then and I feel the same way about it all. I'm even embarrassed to go to the doctor about it. Let me know if you ever find anything to help

I haven't had exactly that same problem, but if you are feeling "unclean", you can prepare yourself a tub bath with about 8 inches of water, 1 cup of apple cider vinegar (just the one from the grocery store will do), and 1 cup of salt. You can soak in this for about 10 or 15 minutes and you will feel cleaner than you ever have. This helps to restore the ph balance in your skin, and in that area as well.

vaginal discharge is normal. I hate it, but i deal with it. Since yours has an odor, please go to the dr. It means you have an infection some where or, you also need to think, did you take out your last tampon? my neice, once forgot about one, and had an odor and when she went to the dr, the doctor had to get it out, because by then, it was way up in her where she didn't notice it, or could she reach it. hope everything turns out okay.

Not sure- sounds like maybe you have an ongoing dis-balance of yeast in your body.

I am a firm beleiver in using pro-biotics to help regulate me from ongoing yeast infections (i am very prone too). While the symptoms you are having are not identical to mine, I have noted that by taking pro-biotics I tend to have less overall issues with yeast/vaginal discharge.

The probiotic I use is in actual capsule form- Acidopholius. Can buy at local health food store or GNC. Most other people usually just go with yougurt or milk with acidopholious added. Try what may work best for you.

Good luck-

I could have asked this same question. This is the thing I never talk about, because it's embarassing. I've had 2 kids, and been checked several times, and everything is fine. I've always had discharge, but it's slightly worse now that I have an IUD - I wear a pad every single day. (IUD is still worth it though!) I'm glad to see I'm not alone on this.

I went through the same thing. Mine turned out to be a simple bacterial infection that cleared up with antibiotics. However, I am so paranoid now, there isn't many spontaneous moments. It was planned parenthood who finally diagnosed it correctly for me. I had no insurance at the time. Problem, now I am prone to them and seem to get it often.