OT - "personal" topic - possibly offensive...don't read if you are easily offended.

Ok this is really bothering me. Why does it sometimes smell "down there?" I consider myself a person with good hygiene...I shower every day and have even switched to using soap rather than the body wash when I clean that area to make sure it is fully clean...but yet I sometimes still have the problem.

For example yesterday...I worked out in the morning, took a shower early in the afternoon, then started fooling around with my husband mid-afternoon and noticed the smell when my underwear were removed. (Yes, I did have on clean underwear!)

But it seems to come and go.....other times I'll shower in the morning and we won't full around until later at night and there is no smell.

Any suggestions on what could be causing it or what to do it? I've never douched and don't really want to start....but guess I would if it would solve the problem.

Mon. Feb 26, 1:46pm

The same type of thing has happened to me. I use Summer's Eve feminine wash when I shower but sometimes there is still an odor. It isn't necessarily BAD but something I do notice sometimes. I think it's normal, as long as you don't have any itching or weird discharge. If you think about it there is a lot going on "down there" all the time so I think a little bit of an odor sometimes is normal!
I wouldn't douche if I were you, I've read it isn't very good for you.

Monday, February 26, 2007, 1:57 PM

Your groin area has a lot of apocrine sweat glands (scent glands; see Wikipedia for a good explanation). Yes, people have scent glands, just like other mammals! Your smell carries a LOT of information about you, from what you've eaten recently, to where in your reproductive cycle you are -- which is why dogs always stick their noses in your crotch.

This is perfectly natural odor, it varies with all sorts of things, and my suggestion would be to stop worrying about it, unless it is SUPER-strong. It's not as if everyone you meet is taking off your underwear.

Monday, February 26, 2007, 2:44 PM

I had a similar problem. Once all infections were ruled out, my gynecologist inquired as to my hygeine habits. She then told me that the worst thing I could be doing was using soaps, feminine deoderant sprays, douches, powders, etc. It may seem counter-intuative, but actually the body has ways to bring itself into balance. The vagina is a marvel of good bacteria and various other means of maintaining it's own balance. When we bring in unnecessary "third parties" like the above, the natural balance can't flourish. She said that warm water with either a very soft wash cloth, or the hand, is all that ever need be used. It is clean and hygienic to do so, it's just that we in the West have been trained to not percieve something as clean that does not smell like a pine tree, flowers, or alcohol. I took a minor leap of faith (as it felt a little bizarre to do so) and layed off the soap, just used the hand-held shower head and my hand, and I haven't had a problem for over a year. Please at least give the root nature intended a shot. As long as there are no other factors (an infection or weight-based odours) you may be surprised what the body can do on its own. (Please do not douche. I've been to at least three gynos who said they'd rid the world of them if they could. Throws your vaginal chemistry all out of whack and leaves you with nothing in there to fight the real cause of the odour.)

Monday, February 26, 2007, 3:00 PM

You should see your doctor. Sometimes, don't freak out, but sometimes that means there's something not quite right.

Also, your doctor will tell you not to douche: it's bad on the love parts.

Monday, February 26, 2007, 3:31 PM

3:00 wonderful advice! I think I'll try that myself! I have noticed that if I use any soap but plain, unscented dove, I start to smell a little down there. I am going to try the no soap thing...I'll let you know how it goes.

Also, I know that the odor is supposed to be the strongest right before your TOM. I think it's kind of a "last-call!" for men to get turned on by you and make you pregnant!!

Tuesday, February 27, 2007, 4:32 PM

I'm not sure if anyone else has had this experience, but it's when I've had sex that I notice an odor down there. When I stop having sex, I don't have an odor anymore. I read once that sometimes a guy's secretions can give us strange smells, even if he doesn't ejaculate inside.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007, 3:07 PM

3pm is right, that is exactly what I learned. I ahve even told girlfriends this and they don't believe me!

I also find clean living helps. Lots of water, very little alcohal or junk food etc.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007, 3:40 PM

I'm the poster that said she would stop using soap and tell you what my experience was...

So, it's been about 2 weeks, and I haven't used any soap down there! And...success!!! It took a few days to get back to normal, and now it's perfect down there! Yeah! I'm so happy I gave this a try. I kind of knew soap was messing things up down there, but I was scared it would get even worse if I stopped using it. But, I'm never using soap down there again!!

Tuesday, March 13, 2007, 3:53 PM

non soap user

now- I am also a non soap user... thank goodness we have a handheld shower head... anyhow- if you take a little vinegar- and just get it on the outside parts where you have fuzz or not... that helps as well... just don't get it on the inside or you'll be stinging for a few seconds.

Also make sure you dry off well... and using a little baby powder helps too- a little goes a long way.

yah- and no douching.
I have also noticed post coital stinkage... is that where the term "smells of sex" came from?

Wednesday, March 14, 2007, 7:53 AM

Ever since I started exercising heavily about 10 years ago did I notice a smell. My husband commented on it about 4 years ago and I now go to lengths to keep it neutral down there!

I use summer's eve too, the sensitive one with no fragrance as that can make odor worse and I use panty liners throughout the day most of the time especially close to my period. Additionally at the end of the night I use summer's eve feminine wipes just in case there is any action ahead!

Unfortunately exercise can lead to funk :( keep an eye on your diet too, avoid sugar like the plague!

Wednesday, March 14, 2007, 4:16 PM

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