Unpleasant Vaginal odor, could it be my IUD?

Hello all! I just wanted to give my support too! I have had the copper IUD since I had my son in June 2007. I didn't start experiencing the vaginal odor however until January 2010.

My OBGYN told me not to douche, but I do so monthly (right after my period) and I am able to keep the odor under control decently that way. I do not want anyone to think I'm recommending this, please think about your own decisions carefully, but I just wanted to let you know that I am a woman that was advised against douching, and have been doing it for three years with no negative effects.

Every now and then the odor becomes unusually strong for a month or so (even after I douche it is still there). This happens infrequently, but the most recent time I had one of these episodes it was during my period. I used the Rephresh tampons because they were on sale and the odor was eliminated completely. I definitely want to try that Rephresh gel for the next time it gets bad.

To deal with feeling self-conscious with my husband, I just simply talked to him about it. He wasnt wierded out or grossed out at all, he was actually very relieved I brought it up. He had noticed the smell, but was afraid to bring it up for fear of hurting my feelings. It felt good to have someone to talk to about it, and when starting a new treatment you will have someone to ask if it's gotten better, if its the same, or worse.

Lastly, regarding dealing with my co-workers, I make sure to take a really good shower in the morning and use baby powder all around my 'area' to prevent moisture that leads to odor. On most days (with light-moderate odor), this usually lasts for about 4 hours. On days when the odor is strongest, I will wear a tampon through my workday (this works beautifully but I'm not sure if it's unsafe to wear a tampon when you're not menstruating).

I love the copper IUD, in fact I forget for months at a time that I even have it up there. Because this is the only drawback, I want to keep it. I think all of you will be able to come up with a maintenance plan that works fro your body.

Hope this helps you guys, God bless you all!

Thank goodness i found this site! I thought something was terribly wrong with Me. I've had this unbearable odor for the longest while now and even been too embarassed to go to the dr. My friend removed her iud a few months after inserting it because of the frequent spotting and odor. I am definitely having mine removed!

I am also very glad to read this forum, and I have seen others just like it. I've had the Mirena for about 1.5 months, and I started noticing a sour, pungent smell unlike anything I've ever had before within the first week after insertion. It was really bad during my first "period", which was more like a week and a half of constant brownish bloody discharge, and then it suddenly cleared up after the brown stuff stopped. I went to the gyno for my initial checkup and she said that if the smell comes back or I have any more severe cramping (which I also had a bit of in the first couple of weeks) that I should call her. Well, a couple of days ago the smell came back with a vengeance!!! I can't stand it - I've never smelled down there before. I've even had partners complement me on my taste (TMI, probably)!! It angers me to hear how many women are told "it's not caused by the IUD"!!! Who the hell are these doctors kidding?!?! Are the makers of the IUD really paying them that much money to keep their mouths shut about the risks and make us feel like we don't know our OWN bodies???? I have an appointment in two days - I will update after that.

Stay strong, ladies - YOU KNOW YOUR OWN BODY BETTER THAN ANY DOCTOR EVER WILL. Don't let them intimidate you!!!

Hi, I'm the one who posted on 3/16. Saw the nurse practitioner at my university clinic yesterday -- I have BV, for the first time in my life, after less than 2 months with Mirena. Still have the odor, sporadic bleeding (which I anticipated), and some cramps but nothing too severe. Also been feeling very, very fat, despite the fact that I have been working out A LOT more the past few weeks than I ever did before...just don't can't seem to lose even a pound, and I usually have a really fast metabolism!!

I am on Flagyl now for a week, and then we'll see...I'm thinking I'm gonna want this thing out of me. I said to the nurse yesterday, "obviously it has something to do with the IUD." And she was like "wellll, not necessarily." What kind of freakin conspiracy is this?!?! How could it not be related??? I am pissed.

I think they need to have a study about this problem. I have had my IUD (Mirena) for a year now. At frist I didnt have the smell but about 2 months ago I started having it. I was check for all kinds of STDS before the doctor inseterd. Everything was fine she said. I have been with the same person now going on 2 years now. I was not active in anyway for 4 years so he was the frist guy that i had been with in 4yrs. I dont understand why this oder is here but i going to have to get it remove i didnt have this much oder when i was pregant. :'(

IUD'S ARE ONLY GOOD FOR 10YRS AT MOST, AND THAT'S THE PARAGUARD...HOW COULD YOU NOT KNOW THAT? TIME TO VISIT THE DR. AND HAVE IT REMOVED...

I've also had an embarrassing odor, and I've had my IUD for about 6 months. I no longer have periods, but I don't know why there is a smell. I see that many other women are having the same thing happen, but can we receive a consensus on treatment? None of us want to give up the convenience of having an IUD, but the smell is super irritating. Lately I haven't been enjoying sex as much, for fear that my fiance will smell it and get turned off.

hey ladies i noticed while using the iud i developed an unusual foul odor. I knew that it had something to do with the iud because i've never had anything like this. I did manage to control the odor after trying different things. Ladies try the feminine wash lemisol it comes in a green and white bottle and its the most effective feminine wash out there. its minty and it will take some getting use to but its refreshing and you will be confident about yourself while using this product. Its kind of hard to find it. order it online or try pathmark. good luck ladies.

Hi Ladies,

Well, it is nice to know that I am not the only one with this issue.  I have had the Mirina for a little over a year and a half now and 4 months ago I started noticing an odd smell, not only is it disgusting to me but it makes me self conciouse and though the significant other reassures me "it will pass, i am not worried about it it's part of your life.' I still want to cry any time he gets near me and wants to have sex.  It is all I can do to push him away without making him feel rejected and I am constantly using sprays in the bathroom.  I have tried Douching for just about as long as I have noticed the smell and well as feminine wipes, yeast medications and powders and nothing seems to help in the least.  Some days the smell is worse then others but it doesn't ever seem to want to go away completely.  My boyfriend was the first to think that perhaps it was the IUD that was causing the smell and suggested I might have it removed and be put onto something else; but the smell is so horrid to me that I am reluctant to even speak to my doctor about it and went as far as avoiding a pap smear; which is not good.  I never had any problems with the pills and though I love the fact that I haven't had my period in almost a year I don't think that living with this stench and trying futilely to fight it is worth the heartache and painful self awareness.  I guess I would rather spend a fortune on tampons then do this anymore and knowing that others are having the same issues makes me feel a bit better about the whole ordeal.  Mirina is great don't get me wrong but I think there's a little more that needs to be tested and adjusted with it before I'll ever put it back in..

Hi,  I am just curious if anyone has heard of or have already had this terrible issue resolved completely??  I have read alot of posts and have tried everybodies resolutions but to no avail.  If having the IUD is doing this to soo many women, how can it possibly go silent and unaddressed for so long??  I personally think that it should not be an option until further investigations and all the unanswered questions be handled properly by whoever it is that ok's this device.  It seems every lady that has found this post says the same thing..."i am so glad i found this post,  i was starting to think i was the only one having this problem!!"  Its amazing how many women suffer and yet no one had done anything about it.  Isnt there anything we can do to get some answers??  Its frustrating, embarressing, and huge blow to ones self esteem not to mention just about kills your sex life!!  I am just wanting to hear what anybody has to say about this PLEASE!!  Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for leaving your reply  :{

I have had the mirena in for about 3 years now and within the past 2 months I have noticed a very very strong odor down there. At first it was a joke that I was 'putting a security smell' on my boyfriend but now it's so strong I can smell it even if I am just standing up and my legs are open. I am thinking of getting it taken out and going back on the pill. I wonder if not having my period has something to do with it. Having your period is a natural way for your body to get rid of the lining and I was wondering if the smell was due to that at all. Did the rePHresh work? It might be a good temporary fix until I get it taken out.

"Hi,  I am just curious if anyone has heard of or have already had this terrible issue resolved completely??  I have read alot of posts and have tried everybodies resolutions but to no avail.  If having the IUD is doing this to soo many women, how can it possibly go silent and unaddressed for so long??  I personally think that it should not be an option until further investigations and all the unanswered questions be handled properly by whoever it is that ok's this device.  It seems every lady that has found this post says the same thing..."i am so glad i found this post,  i was starting to think i was the only one having this problem!!"  Its amazing how many women suffer and yet no one had done anything about it.  Isnt there anything we can do to get some answers??  Its frustrating, embarressing, and huge blow to ones self esteem not to mention just about kills your sex life!!  I am just wanting to hear what anybody has to say about this PLEASE!!  Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for leaving your reply  :{"

So glad I finally decided to Google this issue.  I really thought something was wrong with me.  I am on my 2nd IUD.  The first was the copper, non-hormonal, one.  My periods with that one were so heavy; they lasted over seven days.  Once it was gone, I was so weak (probably anemic). I also had bad cramps and when I went in to have it removed, I learned it had fixed itself to my insides.  I had to get dilated to have it removed.  Hurt 100 times more than getting it put in!  Second time around, I went with Mirena.  I have much easier, but still monthly, periods.  They only problem is the smell.  It comes and goes and at times, I think it won't come out of my clothing.  I have bought all new underwear a few times over.  I have had the IUD for just over two years and the problem has been persistent.  I know others can smell it as my 4-year-old daughter not-so politely pointed out in the middle of WalMart.  I have been on antibiotics a few times for other issues like a bladder infection and strep throat.  They made no difference.  I am too embarrassed to bring it up with my OBGN as I have been in there twice for checkups and denied having any issues.  I am fairly sure it is not an infection because an infection wouldn’t come and go and last for over two years through at least three treatments of antibiotics.  I have no other symptoms.  I am considering having it removed but am positive that without it, a third child would be in my future!  I was really hoping to find a solution to this but I am thinking there might not be one.

Wow I've had my IUD for 1 year now and have developed a purulent/almost sh*tty smell.  Can't wait for my appt on monday.  Also notice that discharge will trickle out with a cough or laugh.  Im afraid to be around others.