Unpleasant Vaginal odor, could it be my IUD?

*******UPDATE******Well hello ladies. I'm back to happily say that everything is back to normal. Exactly 2 days after having posted my original post, I had the Mirena removed. I bled heavily for about 5 days thereafter (as I believe my body was getting rid of all that uterine buildup that would normally be flushed out monthly) and ..................drum roll please................THE SMELL IS GONE! I knew the Mirena was the source (no question). As I said before, I'm old enough to know how to take care of myself, my hygiene is very good (in fact, I'm a bit of a germaphobe), I'm faithful to my husband, and I believe he is also. Before the doctor removed the Mirena, he did a swab. He told me that everything down there looked normal and there results of the swab test were also normal...no infection (which I already knew). My husband and I have been intimate since I had it removed and I can't begin to tell you how liberated I feel not having that embarrassing cloud of stench looming over us. In fact, I think having it removed gave our sex lives a boost! I'm so happy, I could brake dance!

Hi there. I just wanted to let you know that I had mine removed and I'm right back to normal....fresh as a daisy. I was tested twice while I had the Mirena in and I had no sort of infection whatsoever. If all you have is the smell and no other symptom like burning, itching, pain, etc. it might be the IUD. Like you said, still get yourself tested to be sure but I can tell you from experience that if the doctors tell you it CAN'T be the IUD, I'm telling you as a woman who had it in her body that it most certainly CAN. These doctors act like they know everything but it is called "practicing" medicine for a reason. Me and my hubby have been like bunnies since I had the god awful thing taken out and the room is as fresh as the summer rain. lol Suffice it to say, I'm ecstatic to have my body back. This is a quality of life issue so the convenience of the IUD was not worth the mental and emotional pain this issue caused....at least not to me. Good luck to you.

so did the doxycycline work?

So after dealing with the nasty smells for about a year I had my paraguard removed 2 days ago.  I bled a bit after but the smell and bloated feeling in my belly is gone. I'll be starting the pill at my next cycle. I'll miss the convenience but not the embarrassing odor. If in doubt take it out. Just sad I waited so Long. 

Hilarious...the way you tell the story especially about the crotch sniffing dogs...LMAO!

I cannot stop laughing!!!! Not that this is a laughing matter however the way you put things... HI-larious! I agree. I will be removing mine ASAP!!!

I also have Mirena.  I can't remember if it's the copper or the plastic one. I had it put in 2010, and had a pap the same time, from which they found that I have HPV and had precancerous cells.  I had uterine surgery to get rid of the precancerous cells.  I'm not saying there is a connection between Mirena and HPV/cancer.  It just so happened that they found it at the same time as my Mirena was inserted.  Anyway, after the surgery, I had a bad smell and attributed the smell to the after effects of surgery, maybe there were bits (sorry if that's disgusting!) still coming out. I know, gross.  Anyway from time to time I still have a very gross smell.  I'm surprised and a little relieved that it may be the IUD, because I have an answer now for what it's coming from.  I thought it may be the HPV, or it may be after effects of surgery.  Someone said they had a discharge around their period time that was light tan to dark tan- I have had that as well.  That lasted into last year, and it faded to the point that I don't have periods.  I wonder if the lack of periods means that our 'ginies' aren't being cleaned out naturally like they should be, and the dead cells aren't being flushed out on a monthly basis, and that's what we're smelling. I'm going to look into that RePhresh someone mentioned, and I wonder if there is a *natural* douche that doesn't have nasty chemicals that can be done to help flush out the dead cells.  Anyway, this has got my brain gears going, hopefully in the right direction.  :)

Omg !! Iam actually crying reading everyones story on their experiences with the IUD.I have had this IUD for 1 year, ive notice a different smell that came about from my vagina.I just recently taken it out.It has also caused dryness , so sex isnt comfortable to me right now, and iam always pushing my boyfriend away..Ive need help a year ago..Went yo the doctor and no words no answer.

I've had my Iud for 4yrs. About 5months ago I had to have it removed because the iud became infected. I was admitted into the hospital for an outpatient surgery. During those 4yrs I didn't have a period. Rite after the surgery I I got my period it's been coming on every month like clock work. But with that after it goes off the horrible smell comes. I been using this over-the-counter bv essential. It works for a minute. But when I ovulate the smell comes back. I've been to see my gyn 4x  he's giving me anti-bi, and cream nothing working this smell is a nite mare and i can't wake up>:(. I don't know what Ito do.

So once the odor comes it doesn't go away? I had to take pills a while ago because I had some kind of infection from the IUD. And now I can't remember if it's the same discharge. I think it happens around the same time as when you use to get your period. I hope it goes away soon. I don't want to ruin my chance with this guy.

I just had my Mirena taken out today after 3 years.  I could not take the smell anymore.  It started to get really bad by year 2.  I didn't know exactly what was going on, but I suspected the Mirena......and I was right.  My sister had the same problem, and she had her IUD removed, and as soon as she did the smell was gone.  Even though I've only had it out for about 6 hours, that foul smell is now gone!  My gynecologist told me that some women have a Bacteria build up, but not all women experience that horrible smell.  I mean it was so bad, I would wash myself through out the day, use a vaginal powder, I tried everything and nothing took the smell away.  My husband will now be getting a vasectomy, and I don't have to worry anymore about a foreign object being in my body.  Not to mention all the adds on TV about the problems that the Mirena has caused......adios to a foul smell.

I have read some of these posts and I am so happy I'm not alone, I have had my Mirena IUD for about 2 years and I've noticed over the last few months that I am getting this fishy smell. My fiance has said something about it everytime we has sex. I have tried everything from perscriptions that my doctor has given me to over the counter items and home remedies that work for a day. I'm glad to hear that after getting it taken out some of your problems have gone away. I think I am going to make an appointment with my doctor and get this taken out and get back on the pill. Thank you everyone for sharing.

I've concluded that the IUD must be the cause of my smell, I too wont go to work when this happens which is usually when I'm having my period. The smell is unbearable and I'm sure anyone next to me can smell it especially when I'm sitting. Two years in and I'm on my way to have it removed, love the method but cannot take this smell.

 

 

Think you may have an infection. After i had my daughter i had that same smell. The docter had to try like five different antiboctics. Then the last one worked and no more rotten smell. It may take one for you. Please go to the doctor you should not have have to live like this.

I have had the iud for 6 years, and I have had bv and yeast infections for the last 5 years. I have tried any and every method of medicine and treatment, various soaps, douches, etc. NONE of them cures it and it seems to be getting worse. I will be getting my iud removed soon. It is far too much for me to handle anymore.