Unpleasant odour in my private areas

Frequent vaginal yeast infections

Sore area inside the lips of my vagina

Terrible smell coming from my vagina

Vaginal discharge and soreness: is it hormonal?

What can be done about a dry vagina?

White discharge coming from the vagina

Yellow discharge instead of a period

Question
I have an unpleasant odour in my private areas. I do not have any pain, and I have been to the doctors and had a swab test and urine test, but they were both clear.

I have very good hygiene and use panty liners and special deodorant, but it makes no difference. This is really getting me down.

Answer
Do you have any discharge? Is there any staining on the panty liners? Is there any itch or irritation in that area?

If you have any of these symptoms, then although the swab test yielded no result, the problem could still be caused by infection - the most likely and commonest being thrush.

This could be easily treated with an antifungal cream like Canesten, which you can get in the chemist or have prescribed by the GP.

Another common cause of such an odour is the presence in the vagina of some material that shouldn't be there, eg a tampon. If a tampon is stuck in there, or part of a tampon, then this could be the source.

Could this be possible? If it could, then it will be found by your doctor having a look with a speculum - did she do that? Even if you don't think that is possible, your GP should still check the vagina with a speculum if this has not been done.

Is there any relationship between the smell and the stage of your menstrual cycle? Is it worse or better at certain times of the month?

If it is, it might not be due to any kind of disease, but just to the odour of the natural vaginal fluids that change under the influence of the monthly hormones. Unfortunately, this is the most difficult one to treat.

In this case a possible course of action would be to ask your GP for a referral to a doctor trained in homeopathy - this is a natural treatment that might help where other options don't.

Yours sincerely

Dr Bob Leckridge, GP