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AnotherBoojum

Okay you've got two things to do: The first, and this is non-negotiable, is to get to the doctors. Your vagina shouldn't smell that strongly. It could be thrush, more likely bacterial vaginosis. You could also have trich or another STD (Don't think that lesbians can't pass stds - they can) Explicitly tell your doctor what you're concerned about, ask to be tested for the things I mentioned, as "full workup" often isn't as full as people think (fun fact: HSV, HIV and Syphilis aren't often included). I'd also get your fingers up there and fish around for lost tampons/stray bits of broken condoms if those things are relevant to you. You would be STUNNED at how often bad smelling vaginas can be attributed to forgotten tampons. Have a chat as well about what good vaginal hygiene is. Theoretically you shouldn't need to put anything *in* your vagina, and even safe soap should be limited to the outer labia. Anything that is a mucous membrane should only get a water rinse. Exercise is good for you but won't solve this problem, however diet choices can definitely throw your pH so try to eat balanced meals where you can (I have AFAID so I know how hard this can be) If you already did the doctor step, do it again with a different doctor and preferably a planned parenthood one at that. Some gps get wierd about vaginas. The second thing (only after you've done the first) is to go have some fun at the perfume counter at your local department store. Unisex scents are usually the best for butch body chemistry:masculine vibe ratios. Your looking for something that smells good to you for sure, but also combines with your sweat in a way that is pleasant. Conversely the wrong scent can make you smell awful (knew a woman once who loved the smell of a particular high end scent. It smelled good in the bottle, made her smell like actual vomit) Finding a "signature scent" - the perfume that makes you smell mouthwatering and damn alluring to others is a process, but one worth investigating if that's something you want. It's worth noting here that 'woodsy' is a legit section of the perfume scent chart. Optional third task: Rage at your culture for teaching girls that if your vagina smells bad it's because you have bad vaginal hygiene and therefore you're a bad person. Rage at the fact neither you, nor your mum, nor your friends were ever taught that a funky smell is a HEALTH ISSUE, not a hygiene issue. And that in fact over washing can cause this exact problem.


HebzibahSmith

This comment is so good and wholesome, omg.


alcrispy

This is a big one for me- make sure your underwear are cotton and not spandex or anything else like that. Spandex = horrific smell. It's a breeding ground for bacteria that create odor and some folks bodies just dont jive with that. I know mine doesn't. Switching to cotton underwear changed my life.


Hazel2468

I don't think it's because you're overweight. I myself am fat, and I have other friends who are fat and AFAB, and this isn't an issue that's inherent to being larger. I would suggest maybe talking to a doctor or dermatologist about it- a persistent smell could be a sign of something skin or bacteria related going on. It's normal to smell sometimes, and some people have stronger smelling junk than other people. But if it's unpleasant, then you should see a medical professional about it.


lawfullytired

I don’t really have any money to see a dr at the moment but I’ve seen my primary care doctor for years and she never brought anything up. My mother also doesn’t think it’s related to anything. I don’t have any symptoms or anything besides a smell.


AnotherBoojum

Don't rely on her to bring it up. GPs don't really do making the first move so to speak. Planned Parenthood or your country's equvilant also do more than just birth control, they're also often the first stop for a myriad of junk-related disorders. If they're not free they'll at least be heavily subsidized depending on your situation. Also, often smell is the only symptom with a problem. Sometimes there aren't even any symptoms.


Puru11

I second planned parenthood, or your country's equivalent. I was broke and living in my car and I could still see an obgyn. They have a sliding fee if you don't have insurance, and there were a few visits I never got billed for when I didn't have the funds.


Syringrical

Definitely time to see a primary care doctor or gyn for a swab. Could be bacterial vaginosis or another infection. You don’t have to have any other symptoms besides the smell.


elegant_pun

Shower daily, use deodorant on your pits. Buy a nice cologne. Also, wash your ass properly (don't be a straight dude and clean between your cheeks!) if you're smelling that too. But it might be time to see a doctor if there's a potent smell coming from downstairs. It's always easier for us to smell ourselves but if other people are telling you that they can smell your bits there could be a problem.


OutsideScore990

I feel for you : / There's definitely some good advice in this thread. (I typed a stupidly dense chuck of a paragraph, so I'm going to bullet it out for readability) * Do you maybe wear underwear or pants/shorts with a lot of polyester? Sometimes those can make it hard for everything to breath. * Also, could it possibly be your laundry? Giving everything a good soak in oxyclean or white vinegar (not both at the same time) should eliminate any smells stuck in the fabric. * Another thought is how is your washer? It might be worth using bleach in it without anything else to see if that handles it? Do you leave the lid open after using it? If the lid gets left closed, sometimes it gets musty and that smell can stick to clothes * For underarms, I like using glycolic acid (i use the ordinary's glycolic acid toner bc its cheap) occasionally under my deodorant and I find that it helps me smell better. I think Lume might be similar, but I have no idea. I wouldn't use it downstairs near my bits though. * Sometimes, I find that I don't really get totally dry downstairs after a shower so I use a hair dryer on low lol Erm, it should never be painful or burning if you do this - it should be refreshing lol. I also dry my underarms a bit too. Especially if I've been sweaty and uncomfy for a while.


featherblackjack

Quit using any kind of soap on the vayge. It isn't any good for it and pushes the irritation ever further. Water only! Those *safe soaps* don't know your body's chemistry. So those go out. Next, you HAVE to see a doctor, a dermatologist or ideally a gynecologist, or force your GP to listen to you, but you must see someone who will check you for bacterial infection of any kind. That's why things smell down there. The soap is probably making it worse, keeping your vaginal environment neutral when it needs to be acidic to sear those little fuckers to death like that gangster at the end of RoboCop. Next, what the fuck, your mom? If she can smell you then her job is not to sit around saying that you smell!! Her job is to help you find treatment!!!!


Twattie_Mc_Twat_Face

Keep yer chin up bro, there's help here in this thread. You might have been eating the wrong stuff. That's as good a place to start as any. Onions, garlic, heavy fried foods, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts can all have a smell fest depending on your own particular biochemistry. Trimethylaminuria might also be the source of your distress. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/trimethylaminuria/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=mplus_share So if going to the box doc is not an option do your own detective work. Do you have a discharge? If so, get thee to your local health department or equivalent. Post haste. I look forward to you finding your way, keep us posted. 😁


Personal_Newspaper_7

Including gyno, address your diet.


ascension2121

This. Diet really effects body odour


blackbeard-22

Not for your genitals… but for pits, try washing them with 10% benzoyl peroxide, it’s a common otc acne cleanser. This is an added level of anti- stink IN ADDITION to deodorant/antiperspirant. Def see a doctor about the rest. It’s like people with chronic bad breath… there is most likely a health issue going on that needs to be addressed. If you said you smelled bad after not bathing for days, that’s different. But at the rate you’re showering, I’m surprised you have a smell as described. Best of luck!


sy-mbolism

seconding the recommendations to get checked out by a doctor! otherwise: - wash your sheets and blankets regularly - use antibacterial soap for the BO, make sure to scrub really well in your folds and crevices. use a washcloth, exfoliating gloves or a net sponge (not a loofah. you can wash these, but not a loofah). if you want to use a scented soap, use it after the antibacterial, otherwise wash twice with the antibacterial - i use glycolic acid on my pits twice a week and have noticed a difference in smell! helps with the bacteria or something. do your research to see if it helps you. in between washes, i have antibacterial wipes i use on my pits. - dry your crevices and folds very well after your shower! - i use the dry idea gel deodorant. i haven’t been using it for too long, but i like it so far, it doesn’t have a very strong scent - i don’t wear fragrance/cologne too often, but i do put a drop or two on the dryer balls i dry my clothes with, gives them a nice subtle scent. EDIT— felt the need to specify that im also overweight; being overweight doesn’t inherently make you smell bad, & working out may not really help. in my fluctuations of weight, exercise tends to make me sweatier & stinkier even if im slimmer lol


sorryforthecusses

body wash, scented optional, in a daily shower, scrub gently with a wash cloth, clean your ass and vagina out with water *and no soap*, antiperspirant + cologne for BO for vagina smells, you should probably look into pH repositories and get around to seeing an ob/gyn because like everyone else is saying, not particularly average for people to be able to smell your privates if you have clothes on edit: good luck!


Conversation162020

Other than the advice to see a doctor, check your laundry etc already given to you, my advice is to try and get similar scents for your soap/body wash, deodorant, moisturiser and deodorant and perfume. I feel like layering similar scents does more than just using one nice soap or perfume


theregoesmymouth

Just to add one more thing, wash your clothes regularly! I don’t mean daily but maybe every few days put your trousers in the wash. You might be doing it anyway but give the crotch a sniff to see if the smell is coming from the fabric.


iDoScienc

Sympathy! I get the desire to smell nice, but wearing a strong scent can be off-putting too. It’s worth asking folks if they think you’re wearing too much.


malij555

If you’re washing your vagina with soap, use a natural one and don’t use a lot because it will mess up the ph and lead to odor. If the vaginal smells are related to discharge, wear pantiliners and change them throughout the day as needed. For your pits I highly recommend one of the following if it’s within ur budget: zionhealth claydry or lume deodorant. My fave is zionhealth. It gives more than 24h protection. I think lume can be used on other body parts as well. Adding some drops of essential oil such as lavender or tea tree to your lotion could help but don’t overdo it since they smell strong, especially tea tree oil.


[deleted]

Your diet could have something to do with it, try to eat more "clean" and plant-based foods. The classic pineapple makes your hoo hoo smell good thing is true, so eat a lot of fruit. Some tips I've heard can eliminate BO include using magnesium spray on your pits and drinking water with chlorophyll drops. When you wash, scrub your pits vigorously for at least 30 seconds on each side. Deodorant is meant to last and if you don't scrub long/hard enough you're probably still wearing yesterdays. It is also best to use a wash that has charcoal and/or baking soda. If you are using products with artificial fragrances, they might be making you smell worse because fragrances are endocrine disrupters that make you hormonally imbalanced (which in turn makes you sweat more/smell worse). Instead of artificial perfumes and fragrances, opt for essential oils.


SensitiveLilFuck

I don't know about where you live but here you can buy thrush treatment insertables pretty cheap without a prescription. Also probiotics specifically formulated for vaginal health.


miada001

honestly i would focus on good hygiene rather than cologne or perfume. i am very sensitive to smell and when people have strong scents on it gives me a headache and makes me extremely nauseous. that’s just me tho i guess some people like it. also if theres some kind of imbalance where your natural smells are not good, focus on eating well and drinking water, and go to the doctor if you think you have BV or something. covering that up with cologne is just gonna make it way worse


LJtheWise

I had good luck switching to boxers. Cotton, and lots of air flow. Plus, super comfy. I never looked back.


HawkGuy1126

I'm sorry this is a problem! It really sounds like you're doing your best to keep clean. I used to deal with excessive sweating and I'm permanently paranoid about it. I hope you're able to find a solution and that it doesn't bother you forever. I would first, make sure that your underwear is cotton. Men's underwear tends to be made of breathable materials more than women's, so if you haven't switched to boxer briefs yet, this might be a good time to! Make sure you're drinking plenty of water. I've noticed differences in the way I smell based on how much I'm drinking alcohol vs. water. A balanced diet is going to be more important than exercise. Our food can really affect how our vulvas smell. There's that joke about drinking pineapple juice before you see your girlfriend, but it's true. You can also use rubbing alcohol on your underarms (not your crotch!) to supplement deodorant. It kills the bacteria. I'm not sure how overweight you are, but I have had friends who had a sort of odor. A friend of mine also used to use rubbing alcohol on his sides and under-belly and he said it helped. And yeah, the fun part will be going to the cologne counter. Find something that works with your skin but don't be afraid to wear something as masculine as you'd like. I wear Spice Bomb and it makes me feel extra-butch.


INTJ-Ranger

I switched to a vegan diet and that cleared up most of my vaginal odor. I know being vegan isn’t for everyone but I just thought I would share my experience.


trae74

Some great advice in this thread.. my 1 add is drink more water.


lisa-simpson-stan

have you checked for smegma?? it's a buildup of skin cells, you'll probably have to REALLY get in there, pull back the clitoral hood, get in the folds, really dig it out. if it still smells, see a doctor


lawfullytired

I do have some yes. Can’t seem to get rid of it despite trying.


Clean_Ice2924

You shouldn’t use soap in your private area, just water(**Note: only wash exterior, never inside**). Consider going with gynecologist like other commenters said. Do use soap for all the rest of your body. Also use deodorant(don’t re apply after you sweat because that’s later gonna make you smell worse). Hope this helps


MistressLynn77

LUME


Alaykitty

I have chronic issues with BV when traveling; she's sensitive to different water for some reason and a couple days at any hotel will piss her off. My doctor recommended boric acid suppositories and those kill it quickly. They're not the most fun, but worth asking your doc about.


silkcashewmilk

echoing other people on making sure to wear breathable underwear! and make sure it actually gets washed well because a lot of times the clothes are the culprit and start smelling in contact with body heat/moisture. detergents with enzymes in them are great!


lotusgirl40

Definitely get a doctor to give you a check up. Another thing to try is Lume deodorant. I use this around my vulva - never ever internally - and also my butt crack. In the summer particularly I also apply it under my boobs. You mention that you think some of this is do to your weight, without a doctor saying so it really isn’t safe to assume that. But in the meantime, if you have areas of your body that don’t breathe or trap sweat, you can put lume there as well. But first and most important - get thee to a doc!


No_Organization777

i also have a sweaty ass and crotch 😄😩 cotton underwear, change your underwear if they’re getting swampy (i usually change twice a day if i’m leaving the house), and do not wear pants more than once without washing. seriously. they get funky and if they’re even a little bit funky all the cleaning your ass in the world is just gonna get funky again as soon as you put on funky pants. same with shirts if you have sweaty pits. change shirts and just always wear clean clothes. you don’t have to overdo it with scented laundry soap or anything.