Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I apologize firstly if this post is too direct, considering I'm new here. From my bio page, you can see that I'm post-op for more than 20 years, having surgery in my teens(one of the first to do so).
I've had a fine time of things...no issue as far as surgery, complications etc. I just live deep stealth so I don't have any contact with any other transgendered people to ask questions...and I have one now.

Over the last couple of years, I've noticed a strong 'skunky' smell when I become aroused. The smell is coming from the lubricating fluid my body is producing. I'm soooo sorry if this post is gross, but I'm wondering what's going on with me, and I have nobody that I can ask.

I have had occasional UTI's and different vag infections--nothing terrible, just the standard female problems. It's just troubling me that when I start getting aroused, and lubricating, I notice this weird smell. It's not even totally skunk--more like sweaty armpit maybe? (I'm again, sooo sorry if this is gross!!)

I'm concerned because I've been tested for std's and nothing has shown up...I've had multiple tests of all kinds because I have gastroparesis and h.pylori. Everything inside me is structurally ok and there's no sign of growths/cancer.

I just don't understand why or how this is happening. I am very hygenic, although I haven't douched for several months...My gyno said it wasn't necessary and I was washing away good bacteria(she knows I'm transgendered btw). I don't think she knows enough about SRS to know if I'm having a transgender-related problem or if this is something cis-women get. I've been afraid to ask her about this problem because of the whole lack of knowledge about the surgery. She's fine as far as exams and whatnot goes, but I don't know that she'd have a clue about stinky self-lubrication...

I've tried to pinpoint the smell and it is definitely from my body lubrication. My vag, when not aroused, doesn't have any odor or irritation or anything wrong. But when aroused, the fluid has a sweaty kind of odor to it. ( I apologize yet again if this sounds yucky!) I'm just totally embarassed by it. My husband and I have separated and I'd like to start dating again but I'm afraid if I'm going to be stinky. BTW, he did say my vag 'stunk' during some nasty arguments, but I never knew if it was just him being mean or if it was true...now I can see that part of what he's said is true--I do stink, but only when lubricated.

I'm absolutely open to any an all comments, suggestions and advice. I've considered it may be my diet...maybe because I'm vegetarian except for eating chicken(no clue what that's called). I just really really would like some input from people who know about this stuff.

Thanks very much in advance for any comments, and thank you for letting me post. Fingers crossed someone knows what's wrong here.
Jan

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,68720.msg463356.html#msg463356
I then got from a health food store a probioitic designed for the vagina and is inserted into the vagina.  It will fix the vagina flora. You'll get some discharge after from the pill dissolving, and you'll use it for a few days, laying down and inserting it at night.

That pill made a huge difference. I smell and taste amazing. I feel healthier down there and all over. I self-lube better. And I haven't had any re-occurring yeast infections or BV.  I swear by this product! I've read on other forms about it, which other people also swear by -- I've read stories of women having problems for 10 years and taking a vaginal probiotic stopped it.


This is from another posting:
In the UK they are sold as INTRAFRESH over in the US they are FEMINA FLORA. In Australia / NZ I imagine there will be another name wich you will have to find - Google "Probiotic Vaginal Pessaries"
...
After the three months (after srs) is up the healing is all done and you no longer need the iodine so you can switch to the probiotics quite safely. They work well too!


a healthy nutrition could help... a healthy variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, possibly from organic sources...
some women use cranberry juice for a few days for help with the bladder...


Well... talk it all through with your doctor...


hugs

(There are a couple women here who are 30+ years post-op, and maybe they'll stop by, as the techniques back then may be different in some significant way...)

Female lubrication, like semen, can vary a bit by diet; supposedly, fruits and especially pineapple will make it "sweeter." With that said, the scent also varies from woman to woman, and it's possible that something about getting older has changed your natural lubrication - it happens to cis women - into something that smells noticeably different to you. The gyn *might* actually have a few suggestions if it's anything akin to what her cis patients deal with, and it can't hurt to ask. Of course, since it also depends on where your lubrication is produced, if it's from the prostate there's a *small* chance something is up there specifically.

Oh, and your husband was being an ass. I agree that you're better off ignoring nasty things he said in the heat of an argument.

Thanks so much for the replies!  I'll go back on my vag probiotic...I had been using one of them for a while but didn't reorder.
I think maybe the age thing too. Everything seems to start changing. I'll have to talk to my gyno and see what she thinks. I had googled stuff to see if it was a gland issue but I have none of the symptoms of anything amiss...and I get checked during my Pap test every year. Maybe diet? I dunno but it's really upsetting. I'd like to think I have a few good years left before I have to become a nun! Lol

It might help to eat one or two cups of organic youghurt for a few days. This could help restoring flora throughout the body,
for example after having used antibiotics .

Well, some fresh fruit might be a good idea...


hugs

Yes I'm one of the 30 year plus postops - I have several techniques.

1. I avoid water based lube like the plague - it often contains things like starch/cellulose/gelatin and other components which make for good breeding media for unehlpful bacteria.
2. Occasionally after penetrative sex I use a dilute cider vinegar douch - 1 teaspoon in about 400ml of water to acidify the vagina.
3. When lube is absolutely necessary I use a coconut oil based lube - which encourages the right sort of bacteria, but because of the way I am constructed i usually get penty wet enough without as long as my partner doesnt rush things.
4. If I think things are going awry I have a source of some cultured Acidophilus-Vaginalis (the correct bacterial flora from a human vagina) and when I think a top up is needed I use this to seed my own. (you can also buy probiotic pessaries which have a close cousin of the right bacteria).
5. I use topical estrogen cream to keep the skin inside in the right state.

Using a combination of all of the above my vag smells pretty authentic.

Oh water based! Maybe that's contributing...I was avoiding the silicones but I'll try switching it up. Plus sounds like a return to my probiotics...I'd gotten lazy and haven't taken them for a while.
Any ideas are fed worth a try:) I'm outta clues lol

A few more random questions - I'm afraid as a medical-student I'm not yet allowed to give any medical advice or attempt a diagnosis, but these are a few things I would maybe think about?
Any recent change of diet or lifestyle?
Any changes to your general health? For example sometimes an early sign of diabetes can be frequent candidal infections.
Have you had your prostate checked. Most postops do still have one...
Also it might be worth having a speculum exam just to make sure that you havent got a small vaginal fistula or abscess.
Some people can also get anal abscesses and these can be very smelly but totally painless...

In all probability its something much less darmatic than any of that, but its well worth getting investigated, because even if it turns out to be very minor, the earlier you can get an idea of exactly what is going on the more chance there is of it being easily sorted out. So ultimately if you want my advice as a friend I'd say always go see your doctor and get any longterm change like this properly checked, because trying to diagnose yourself can be a bit too hit and miss.

This is from another posting:

I use organic coconut oil on my vagina before sex.  Pure organic unrefined coconut oil has healing properties in it and each man that has performed oral sex on my doesn't understand WHY my vagina tastes so good.  I just smile and move on.  i put it all over my vagina ... and massage it in and they think i am being extra wet also. 


Some women drink some cranberry juice, they say it helps with bladder bacteria...
a glass a day, or two, for some time...

well, talk it through with your doc...


hugs

Of course, if it really is the lubrication that's responsible, no amount of vaginal care - douching, probiotics, etc. - is going to have an effect one way or the other. (They might not be bad ideas regardless, though.) The culprit would have to be something in the production or delivery of the self-lubrication itself.

Quote from: Jenna Marie on June 20, 2015, 03:07:07 PM
Of course, if it really is the lubrication that's responsible, no amount of vaginal care - douching, probiotics, etc. - is going to have an effect one way or the other. (They might not be bad ideas regardless, though.) The culprit would have to be something in the production or delivery of the self-lubrication itself.

Well not necessarily imo...
this is all an interconnected system.
Its like a lawn imo... if there is beneficial bacteria grown it can spread... if in some places there is non beneficial bacteria it might get ousted...
and for example liquid, like from arousal, might simply soften up products from non beneficial bacteria...

hugs

Those are some great ideas....I think until I can get into my gyno, I'll start on colloidal silver--it's great at beating bacteria and all sorts of nasties.

Quote from: januarysunshine on June 20, 2015, 09:31:34 PM
Those are some great ideas....I think until I can get into my gyno, I'll start on colloidal silver--it's great at beating bacteria and all sorts of nasties.

Well actaully I wouldn't... Please be careful with colloidal silver its very strong, it can burn delicate tissues - (which is why we use it in surgical care to touch up grannulation tissue) You dont want something that strong to be eating into your vaginal mucosa... That could make any problems worse. If you want to use a precautionary bacteriocidal then always use something more tissue compatible like 1:10 diluted Videne or weak saline flush.

Quote from: Rejennyrated on June 21, 2015, 03:17:44 AM
Well actaully I wouldn't... Please be careful with colloidal silver its very strong, it can burn delicate tissues - (which is why we use it in surgical care to touch up grannulation tissue) You dont want something that strong to be eating into your vaginal mucosa... That could make any problems worse. If you want to use a precautionary bacteriocidal then always use something more tissue compatible like 1:10 diluted Videne or weak saline flush.

You are talking silver nitrate imo... she is talking colloidal silver...

Colloidal silver is silver electrically dissolved in distilled water... its not that high amounts...
its said to help with anaerobic bacteria while leaving some positive bacteria intact...
it also does not help promote growth of immune ones...
this antibacterial effect is well known, there are silver linings in plaster for this reason for example...

I personally would douche for once, with whatever solution, look at the description of the probiotic pessaries and use them...

I'd get some organic fruits, a fresh pineapple, and eat some for a week... they are not only deliscious but also contain a high amount of vitamin C...
fresh pineapple also contains bromelain which may reduce swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain following surgery and physical injuries...

and I'd try one or two glasses of cranberry juice daily because its an old recipe for women with urinary infections... it might help clear up a bit in the bladder...

additionally coconut oil applies to me...

well as said to be sure you can talk it through with your doc...


hugs

Yes you are right Laura I didnt read that properly - Thanks for pointing that out my bad! I was responding over a late breakfast whilst on holiday in Tuscany and my brain is apparently half switched off! :P

Thanks for watching my back! :D

Quote from: Rejennyrated on June 21, 2015, 08:11:35 AM
Yes you are right Laura I didnt read that properly - Thanks for pointing that out my bad! I was responding over a late breakfast whilst on holiday in Tuscany and my brain is apparently half switched off! :P

Thanks for watching my back! :D

You're welcome  :)

hugs

Hello Everyone, recently underwent SRS and having trouble with smell and lube.  After reading posts on this topic I went ahead and ordered a tub of coconut oil to use instead of Astroglide for dilation.

Just completed 3rd dilation with the new lube and OMG, instead of the constant sticking, grabbing or hanging up of the dialiator, it now goes in and out smooth as butter! And with less mess!
After completing the session with my plastic friend.  I am left with a rather nice feeling of contentment.  Post sex glow?

The smell is almost gone, discharge is less (no pad yesterday).

Yesterday I shared my experience with a 30 year post op deep stealth woman.  She had never heard of using coconut oil as a lube.  She's concerned leaving a food product up in the vagina will breed bad stuff.
So is it safe?  Should I add it to my calorie count?  Is it good to use on scar tissue?

Thank you in advance,
Anne

Anne : For *immediately* post-op I'd check with your surgeon. Mine was very emphatic that water-based lube was the only possibility until the primary healing was complete, for example. Longer-term, it's probably a fine idea.

Hello, 5 weeks post-op.  The Astroglide and Walmart Equate brand was not working.  I could not get the dilator in and once in it grabbed and stuck to the inside of the wall of the vagina.  A few times it would get so struck I could not pull it out.  That was scary.  My 30 year stealth friend suggested using a medium weight KY Brand (jelly?) lube.  She also felt that my body was quickly absorbing Astroglide.

Any other ideas?  It seems OK down there, right now.  The ugly smell appears to have gone away.  My doctor was also concerned about the ineffective lube causing me damage.  I can call and ask for his take on cocoanut oil.

Thank you,
Anne

Anne : Definitely ask the doctor.  However, I used KY and Target brand generic of KY and they were NOT the same - the generic was much more "drippy" and didn't work as well. So I would definitely try real, brand-name KY (or Surgilube) just in case; my own GP suggested using Vagisil lubricant (they do make one, though I can only find it on Amazon), but that was at 4 months post-op and fully healed. Still, for 5 weeks, you really do want to make sure an expert OK's what you're trying.

Quote from: OOAnne on June 26, 2015, 09:02:47 AM
Hello, 5 weeks post-op.  The Astroglide and Walmart Equate brand was not working.  I could not get the dilator in and once in it grabbed and stuck to the inside of the wall of the vagina.  A few times it would get so struck I could not pull it out.  That was scary.  My 30 year stealth friend suggested using a medium weight KY Brand (jelly?) lube.  She also felt that my body was quickly absorbing Astroglide.

Any other ideas?  It seems OK down there, right now.  The ugly smell appears to have gone away.  My doctor was also concerned about the ineffective lube causing me damage.  I can call and ask for his take on cocoanut oil.

Thank you,
Anne

You could have a look here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,190515.msg1697107.html#msg1697107

Please talk this all through with your doctor.

Some say douching is not necessary.

Concerning coconut oil, it has some antifugal properties. Its kind of similar to honey imo, which you can store unopened for quite some time since it has some natural ingredients.
Imo a part is assimilated by the tissue, making it softer.
Thats why I personally would prefer nourishing products, for example for the face, on a natural and not mineral basis.

hugs

Quote from: Laura_7 on June 20, 2015, 02:57:27 PM
This is from another posting:

I use organic coconut oil on my vagina before sex.  Pure organic unrefined coconut oil has healing properties in it and each man that has performed oral sex on my doesn't understand WHY my vagina tastes so good.  I just smile and move on.  i put it all over my vagina ... and massage it in and they think i am being extra wet also. 


Some women drink some cranberry juice, they say it helps with bladder bacteria...
a glass a day, or two, for some time...

well, talk it through with your doc...


hugs

Oh one comment.. don't use oil together with latex condoms (usually its written on their packing as well)... they might lose their structure...
there are latex free alternatives...
just look up which ones are recommendable...
:)


hugs

In my 40+ years I learned to stay away from any organic based lubes - always  gave me yeast infections! KY never caused a problem.

If the odour is from your internal lubricant, that would indicate an internal bacterial infection. Your gynecologist or family doctor would be the right one to treat that with proper antibiotics.

Hello Northern Jane, what is  'internal lubricant'?  Really new to this and suspect something might not be right.  Do we still pre-cum like before?  Is that what you mean by internal lubricant?  I recently had a wet dream and something appeared that was kind of sticky and stinky. At times it appears to flow at will.  :( 

Everything else looks and smells normal.  Yeah I know folks, way too much information.  Welcome Womanhood 2.0

Thank you,
Anne

For me at least, some natural lubricant comes from the urethra and that can be quite liberal (I have been known to leave a "wet spot" LOL!) and a small amount comes from the vagina. I suspect what you are smelling comes from the urethra - otherwise the odour would be there all the time.

Quote from: Northern Jane on July 14, 2015, 07:30:43 PM
For me at least, some natural lubricant comes from the urethra and that can be quite liberal (I have been known to leave a "wet spot" LOL!) and a small amount comes from the vagina. I suspect what you are smelling comes from the urethra - otherwise the odour would be there all the time.

Well not necessarily.
It might be possible the wetness softens up products from bacteria in the vagina.

You could have a look here for what some other people used:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,190841.msg1700440.html#msg1700440

hugs

Just for the record y'all, fyi, I found the cause. It was like was said about the body's natural lubricant picking up bacteria, *but* it's also my PREMARIN cream :(
I finally put 2+2 together....I started out using Estrace cream...but over years it kinda just stopped working. I can't remember how I knew it was a fail--maybe spotting, painful intercourse--something...so I had my ob/gyn switch me to premarin vag cream.
Anyone who uses it(it's made from pregnant mare urine I heard, hence the name) will tell you it smells kinda funky within hours of coming into contact with your body...and if you're inserting a syringe full a couple times a week and slathering it on your lady-bits as I was told to, it tends to get absorbed all down there and into your blood stream, and into your urinary system. So I'm totally getting why the lubrication coming from my urethra smells funky--between regular old bacteria and stinky-horse pee, I'm a walking funk factory (just typing this makes me want to go bathe--repeatedly lol). But it's kinda a catch 22--if I don't use the Prem cream, I tend to get dry down there and the longer I go without it, the more my fluffy lady parts kinda shrivel and look 'old'..I don't want a pruny cooch, so I'm staying with my vag cream.
The probiotics have helped with the bacteria and basic out-of-balance odor problem...and the Monistat freshness ph super mega vag suppositories thingies...but the smell comes back whenever I'm on the Premarin vag cream, so I believe I've found my culprit!!
When I go back to the doc in a month or so, I'll see if there's another vag cream I can try. I may go back to the Estrace but it's now tier 3, while Prem is tier 2. I've considered those low-dose rings but I don't know that my gyn thought they were compatible with my hormone pills--I think last time we spoke, she preferred I use a vag cream in conjunction with the pills.
Oh and def right about the water-based lubes...def throws my body out of whack. I've switched to a silicone one I have and it's ok for dilating, but for general vag maintenance, i'm going back on the coconut  oil I'd been using a while ago.
Just as an aside--I never had these probs in Australia. I could get Acigel over the counter for like $7 and could rebalance my ph when I was out of sorts and life was good. Here in the states, all you can get is that stupid RePhresh stuff which is like twice the cost and all 6 applicators don't even add up to a quarter the size of a tube of acigel. We're really getting boned in the States when it comes to decent, affordable healthcare.

Anyways, problem solved. I'll keep y'all posted as to what vag cream we ultimately decide on at my doc visit.

TY for the entire discussion--been super helpful!!!
Hugs
JS

Broccoli!? seriously though foods do do that! I not being a smartass, Just a thought ??? Clear.