Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Question
Published: September 9, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am a 17 year old male and last week, while I was having sex with my girl, this terrible smell came from down there. It smells as if something died. I have been sleeping with her for over a year and HAVE NEVER smelled anything like that on her or in my entire life! She told me that she was diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis. Please tell me what that is. She states she is better now since she took 7 days of 500 mg. flagyl but I REFUSE to have sex with her again until I get a full understanding of what that smell was and regardless of what it was I will never have oral sex on her again because I never KNEW a vagina could smell that way. Am I wrong for that decision? I still love her the same, but that smell! Could I possibly have given that to her because I often ejaculate in her. We are monogamous and she has the Norplant birth control but she has always said if I orgasm in her and she falls asleep it tingles and I just ignore her because I used to feel she was just being difficult. I don't want to hurt her, please help.
Signed: My Girl Has A Terrible Smell
Dear My Girl Has A Terrible Smell,
All women have good bacteria (known as lactobacilli) that grow in their vagina as a form of protection against bad bacteria (infectious). Sometimes other bacterium that is not necessarily bad invades the territory of the lactobacillus in the vagina. Some of these new bacteria are what cause the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. The symptoms include a grayish vaginal discharge that is foul smelling and seldom itchy. The smell is often increased when the discharge and semen mix. Most cases of bacterial vaginosis are found in women that are sexually active such as your girlfriend. However, you do not need to be sexually active in order to get this, in some cases it just happens.
It is important that you understand that this is not a sexually transmitted disease and this is not something that you gave to your girlfriend or something she got from someone else. Don't be alarmed, this is not a serious condition, and the worst part about it is the smell. The good news is that it can be cured with the antibiotic medication that you mentioned above. Also remember that this may occur again after your girlfriend finishes taking the medication. It's still okay. If your girlfriend continues to have symptoms she might need to take another medication called clindamycin. You may also need to take medication in order to make sure that the bacteria is killed completely and your girlfriend won't get it again. This bacteria does not grow in men so you're safe and you won't get a foul smelling discharge from your penis.
TeenHealthFX is concerned about your attitude about your girlfriend - ignoring something she says because you think she is being difficult and your overreaction to a strong smell of an infection "I will never have oral sex on her again" is insensitive and shows a lack of respect for her and her feelings. Good relationships are not possible without mutual respect and sensitivity to each others thoughts, feelings and needs.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Girls are more likely to intentionally abuse prescription drugs than boys.
