Foul smelling discharge?

Question

I've had white discharge that smells pretty bad for a week. Could it be an infection? Also, can it be caused by washing my vagina with body wash? And another thing.. I'm 14 and my mom and I haven't really talked about things like that before and I don't know how to tell her. Its pretty embarrassing. I don't have a gynecologist either.... So whats wrong with me and what should I do?

And no it isn't itchy.

And yes I've had my period and I'm still a virgin.

Um... -.- I've had my period for 5 years and I am a virgin for those of you that didn't notice what I put up there *points up*

Answer 1

Only a doctor can tell for sure if you have a yeast infection by taking a swab and run some tests. Most of us can sometimes tell by the feel, look, and smell that you have a yeast infection. If your symptoms don't match this list, or you are confused or uncertain, go see your doctor if at all possible.

It feels like an intense itching, burning sensation, localized in your vagina and vulva. This itching is not always present, but can get really bad, so bad you can hardly walk, let alone sit still or concentrate on anything.

It looks like clumpy white stuff. Most medical descriptions compare the discharge to ricotta cheese, but it can range from thick and not clumpy to faintly yellow to thin and clear.

It smells like bread or beer. In fact, it smells pretty much exactly like yeast.

There are other types of infections that can sometimes infect your vagina and vulva and it's helpful to know the symptoms of all of them so you can be really sure before you go treat yourself for a yeast infection you might not have.

A bacterial infection of the vagina can feel a lot like a yeast infection if the vulval area is itchy or painful. Unlike a yeast infection, the discharge can be dark yellow, green, or brown and it won't smell like bread, it can smell like fish or something rotting. If you think you might have a bacterial infection, or if you're not sure, get I would recommend going to see your doctor as this has to be treated with prescription antibiotics.

Urinary tract infections (UTI's) are due to bacteria infecting the urethra rather than the vagina. UTI's can be fairly easily distinguished from vaginal infections by a host of symptoms, including pain or burning when urinating, blood or mucus in urine, needing to urinate often, pain or pressure in back or lower abdomen and a fever or chills. If you think you might have a UTI, don't delay, go see your doctor, because the infection can travel up past the bladder, causing kidney damage.

Another type of infection called trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite that can infect both the vagina and the urinary tract, and is primarily sexually transmitted. If you have a trichomoniasis infection, your vagina can be itchy or painful, it can hurt to urinate, intercourse can be painful, and occasionally you can experience pain in your lower abdomen. Again, you have to see a doctor to get antibiotics to treat this.

Good luck :)

Answer 2

Firstly, I'd like to say that you should not be washing your vagina, just the outside parts (the labia or 'lips'). The vagina is actually a very clean place and inserting soaps, et al, into the vagina can cause a lot of uneeded headaches.

It definitely sounds like you have some sort of infection. Most likely a yeast infection, which for some women are just common. If you've taken antibiotics recently, changed laundry soaps, fabric softener, have had bubble baths, not kept dry 'down there', not changed sanitary products frequently enough, or introduced other things into your daily routine/habits that is new, than that could be the culprit.

If you have been having your period, you should also be having annual gyno exams- it sounds like a good time to start seeing the girlie doctor. You don't need your parents with you in most states, just your insurance info... and clearing up the infection should be fairly easy... pills or cream...

You can call the 800 number on the back of your insurance card and they will help you. You can also call your local health department. You will probably feel embarrassed, but if you talk to a woman (which you can request) trust me, there's nothing you tell them that will be weird, shocking or gross...

Good Luck!!

Answer 3

Well, it may be embarrassing , but it's time for you to talk to Mom. It beats having someone else smell you and think that you have poor hygiene. You may have a yeast infection that requires treatment. If you are really too embarrassed to ask your mom, can you ask a friend?

At least get some over the counter stuff to self-treat. Yeast infection treatments such as Monostat are usually available on the same aisle of the grocery store as tampons & menstrual pads. Also, try Vaginex cream if you think it is topical itching.

My sister-in-law would not allow her young girls to use bubble bath as she said it caused vaginal infections in little girls. That might be what happened when you used a body wash near your vagina.

Some women used to douche with vinegar & water. I think Massengil sells pre-mixed products now, so check that out too.

By the way, you did not say if you have been sexually active, so if that is the case, it's better to go to the doctor, just in case you may have a more serious infection such as a STD.

Answer 4

This could be the result of many things, like hormones during ovulation or a vaginal or bladder infection. Sometimes, but not always, the odor and discharge are associated with other symptoms, for instance a burning or itching. If you have any of those symptoms, I would recommend you see your doctor.

As for speaking with your mom, it can be very embarrassing, but she is your mom. Your health should come first, and if you need to go to the doctor, then she will have to know anyway. Just remember that she has probably been through this as well and is certainly not going to make fun of you once you bring up the subject.

Check out web MD for more info.

Answer 5

Hey hun! no worries! First of all, the white discharge is normal! and you will have it for most of your life. The smell is normal too! If you haven't started having your periods yet, then this is just your body's way of telling you that you are ready to start!
If you are already having your periods, then your body about to have yet another joyous week PMS! woohoo!

either way, you have nothing to worry about! As far as the lovely gyno goes, your only 14, and won't need a to see the gyno for a few more years [most women wait until they are about 18 to start going to the gyno], unless you are sexually active, in which case you should be going regularly...

This kind of stuff is always embarrassing to talk about, especially when your scared, or unsure about what is going on with your body. My advise to you, is to talk to your mom about it, you'll be surprised about how much moms know, and I'm sure that your mom will be more than willing to talk about this with you. However, if you REALLY don't feel comfortable about talking to your mom about this, there are SO many websites, and books that can tell you everything that you need to know!!

Goodluck huh! hope this helps!

Answer 6

It's possible you have a yeast infection. Usually though it causes intense itching and burning. I have had them before with just the discharge. There is over the counter medication you insert vaginally at night, and it will clear up. I have not ever had any luck with the short term meds, so I always buy the generic 7 day treatment, and it clears it up every time.
The causes can be, bubblebaths, accidently wiping back to front instead of front to back, wearing underwear without a cotton crotch panel, jeans too tight, and sex, which I don't think is an issue for you. Your Mom has suffered these too, so you should feel very comfortable telling her, it's not your fault. Every girl gets them occasionally. Get treatment, and you should be over it quickly! Best of luck!!!

Answer 7

Sounds like an infection if you are a teen talk to your Mother infections happen to the best and worst of us maybe she can get you some Monistat or take you to the Doctor talk to her she is a woman to and has had to deal with this at least once Luck

Answer 8

Hmm.. This sounds like something I've seen before. In the movie Alien, the people always have white discharge coming out of their mouth shortly before the alien explodes out of their stomach. And the mouth and stomach are connected...

SORRY!!! I know, not funny! I'm gonna get SO many thumbs-down's for that, but I REALLY couldn't pass up a golden opportunity.

I don't think your body wash would have caused that to be honest, or they'd have to list what you've been experiencing as a side effect. I probably wouldn't buy something with that sort of side effect. (Unless I picked someone I didn't like much out of the Secret Santa basket at work)

Lots of people don't feel comfortable talking with people about the changes they're experiencing while growing up, that's perfectly normal. It gets a lot easier over time (for women at least). Ask your mom what she thinks it means, and ask her to schedule an appontment for you if you want.

Answer 9

If there is a bad smell there is something wrong. If you cannot talk to your mom about it, find SOMEONE that you can tell. It is not going to go away on it's own. It will probably only get worse. And no, I highly doubt it is caused by your body wash.

Answer 10

Sounds like Bacterial Vaginosis - Gardnerella - Nonspecific Vaginitis

Check out the link below