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smelly
lately i've been having very smelly discharge. im 13/f. and i have irregular periods. but the discharge smells HORRID! i cant stand it. it goes in my undies clear and drys white. is there something wrong? if so, how can i fix it? i hate going to the doctors for things so please tell me an at home solution. thanks so much. i will rate back.
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All women have discharge, varying in amount by where you are in your menstrual cycle. It is completely normal to be experiencing some discharge daily.
Some odor is completely normal but it should never smell awful. Every woman has her own scent.
Different Discharges:
1. Before ovulation- There will be a small amount of (mostly) clear discharge.
2. Closer to ovulation- Discharge is wet and sticky. It is usually white/lightly cream colored. There is usually some mucus but it isn't as stretchy as it will be during ovulation.
3. At ovulation (roughly about 14 days from your last period)- There will be a noticeably larger amount of discharge lasting a few days. It resembles stretchy egg whites. You are most fertile here (high risk pregnancy) and sperm entering your vagina will be able to survive slightly longer than other times.
4. After ovulation- Discharge is sticky but not as stretchy. Mostly clear, dwindling back to the "before ovulation" stage.
* Yeast infections cause quite a different discharge than normal.
Vaginal yeast infections can cause itching and burning, the white discharge may look similar to cottage cheese, there could be pain during sexual intercourse, and some swelling of the vulva. The discharge smells somewhat yeasty from what I've read but not always.
Sexual intercourse, antibiotics, using too much soap, tampon usage, and even wearing tight clothing can all cause a yeast infection to occur.
If you have never had one before and you suspect you do now, then you NEED to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. From there, you can purchase over-the-counter medication such as Monistat from your local store. The 7-day treatment seems to be the best of the bunch. It comes with the medication, applicator, and instructions so you can do it yourself in privacy.
* Bacterial vaginosis (overgrowth of bacteria in your vagina) also means a change in your regular discharge. Many women experience an increase in discharge and a very unpleasant, fishy odor; however, some women do not experience anything odd. Other symptoms include: intense itching, swelling, and irritation. If left untreated, a woman can develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and become infertile.
I would say that if your normal odor has dramatically changed into a very unpleasant odor then this may be a cause. Bacterial vaginosis can be treated with antibiotics that you can get from your doctor. There are few over-the-counter medications such as RepHresh that help to prevent another case.
Seeking medical attention is necessary because none of the over the counter products can actually treat an active infection. More importantly, women often inaccurately diagnose BV as a yeast infection, and delay proper treatment which may lead to major complications (including not being able to have children).
I understand it may be uncomfortable to confront a parent/guardian about the issue but it is very important you see a doctor to make sure you are healthy. We are not doctors here so we can't give a 100% proper diagnosis. This is something very serious that you absolutely need to do. This is worth a doctor's visit, definately.
Try being open with your guardian about this. Let them know you have been experiencing some odd smelling discharge and found online that it may be a sort-of infection. It doesn't mean you're dirty, having sex, or doing anything wrong.
Until you're able see a doctor, you may want to wear a panty-liner so you don't have wet underclothing/pants. Do NOT wear a tampon as it will further disrupt the balance of bacteria in your vagina, and if you don't have an infection, you can get one then. You may also want to wear some looser clothing until you're properly treated.
Remember, vaginal infections, medications, and birth control can all alter the appearance of your normal discharge so if you have been on medication lately it may be the cause of this issue.
I wish you luck on finding a doctor to see about your smelly discharge.
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Vaginal discharge is normal but there are types of discharge that aren't. Anything that smells awful, looks like cottage cheese (curds) and is weird in color are signs you may have a problem and most likely an infection. If your vulva and genitals in general are burning or itching it's also a problem.
So, what to do? Tell your mother about it as she will know what to do. You'll have to see a doctor who can prescribe medication that you put inside your vagina or tell you which over-the-counter medication you can purchase at the drugstore.
As much as you hate doctors and the thought of them looking down there you need to tell your mother and get this seen to. The doctor's are professionals and will put you at ease and let your mother or another adult be present when they examine you.
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