Bad smell??

[fieldofflowers]

IMMEDIATELY after showering I smell bad. It has never been this bad but I recently started the patch birth control and my smell has gotten like 10 times worse like actually. Is this a hygiene problem or something else?? I clean EVERYWHERE and I dont use soap not meant for that area down there and I make sure I clean my entire body thoroughly. The smell is mostly coming from THAT area but I dont know why. I make sure I'm always cleaning down there with a cloth and just water. Am I doing something wrong?

[Heather]

Hi there, fieldofflowers.

If you have a very strong smell that's coming from your genitals, and persists even after a shower, then chances are good you're dealing with some kind of infection, like bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection. If you are literally always cleaning, too, that might be part of the issue. It's possible the scent isn't as strong as you think, it's just different since you started the patch (which can happen, as it causes the vagina to be drier), and you're sensitive, but I'd not risk not treating a possible infection.

Sounds like you'll need to have a healthcare visit to find out what this is and get the right treatment: do you know how to access that kind of healthcare?

[fieldofflowers]

I thought I was supposed to clean down there like as often as possible to keep it clean? Also I dont think its a yeast infection or anything because it doesnt itch and stuff. Also I can probably ask my mom to like get me a doctor related to that issue maybe

[Heather]

Cleaning all the time is not the right thing to do: once a day is just fine, I'd say twice at most. More than that doesn't let your body keep up the pH balance it needs to to stay healthy, on top of being pretty rough on that delicate skin.

And yep, I'd ask your Mom to help you make that appointment ASAP.

[fieldofflowers]

Okay, so I asked my mom about it but I also asked if they have to check down there at that kind of appointment and she said yes so im gonna try and like figure it out on my own because I dont want a doctor staring at my bits

[KierC]

Hey fieldofflowers,

We really do encourage you to get this checked out by a doctor. Infections do require medical treatment, so you’ll want to find out if that’s what’s going on.

But, I do hear your worry about a doctor looking at your genitals. I assure you they’re trained professionals who won’t judge or look at you weirdly. But can you tell me a little bit more about your concerned with being seen by the doctor?

[fieldofflowers]

Ive seen like videos of doctors talking badly about their patients after seeing them, and also im kind of insecure of what i look like on there. And on top of that I dont know it just feels weird because the doctor would technically be a stranger

[Andy]

Hi there fieldofflowers,

as a medical student I can tell you that any doctor, even if they would be at the beginning of their career, has seem so many bodies and genitals they know there is a lot more variety to them than you probably think so it simply doesn’t concern them anymore. I have met a lot of doctors, both as a patient and a student and never, not even with those I consider far from the best, I have experienced them talking or even thinking about genitals of their patient in a condescending way.

As for the videos, I suspect they might have been made or altered, as most content on social media, with the purpose of shocking and provoking emotions. That is not to say that none healthcare professional ever said something wrong, but I can assure you that the vast majority you will meet won’t waste a second commenting your appearance and they will simply care only to help with what is bothering you.
I hear you on them being a stranger at first, but before there will be any examination, the doctor will talk with you and talk you through what will be happening.

Because being worried about your first gynecologist visit, or any doctor visit that might involve examination of genitals, is very common, we for example have this advice column that might be helpful to read: Your First Gynecologist Visit

Can you think of some things that would make the appointment more comfortable for you? For example coming with/without your parents, hearing all that will happen beforehand, bringing some kind of distraction with you etc. ?

[Heather]

I also just want to back Andy up in saying that reproductive healthcare providers generally absolutely do not talk about their patients bodies like you're reporting seeing (and we'd also be happy to take a look at what you saw if you want us to help figure out what that even was and if it was legit). I've worked in this field for almost 30 years now, and have spent a lot of time during those years in clinical settings or around healthcare providers, and I can absolutely assure you, the norm is respect and care.

I also get that any new healthcare provider we meet starts as a stranger, and that for sure, that initial visit can feel awkward and daunting (I started getting reproductive healthcare when I was 13, so I get it). But they won't be a stranger after that, and we generally will build relationships with healthcare providers over time so that as the years go by, if we stick with the same ones, those strangers become very important partners in our health who can do things we cannot, like diagnose ourselves. <3