Smell, piercing & discharge

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AdeleP
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Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2012 12:34 pm
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by AdeleP on Mon Mar 26, 2012 12:39 pm

Smell, piercing & discharge

I'm 18 years old and I have tried varying forms of contraception (pills: microgynon, cilest & cerazette - currently taking cerazette, the implant and injection) but they all leave me with brown discharge everyday and I'm beginning to worry about it. I am going to change my contraceptive pill some time in April, but I would like to find one that will stop the discharge. Also, I got my vertical clitoral hood pierced in November and ever since, I have noticed that it is letting off a foul smell. I'm not sure whether the discharge is contributing to this smell, but it is very off-putting and is affecting my sex life. No matter how many times I shower, the smell is still there. Could there be an infection?

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Nurse Deborah Mills
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2012 11:49 am
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by Nurse Deborah Mills on Tue Mar 27, 2012 12:17 pm

Re: Smell, piercing & discharge

Hi, You may need to see your GP or Nurse Practitioner (NP) who may take a swab to see if there is an infection,if so, then this can be treated accordingly.
NP will also be able to offer advise on the various contraceptions available that may be more appropriate for your needs.
Have you considered removing the piercing, to see whether your symptoms improve
hope this helps
Deborah Mills
Dermatology Surgical Nurse Specialist
Deborah Mills
Dermatology Surgical Nurse Specialist

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Mr Peter Greenhouse
Posts: 37
Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:51 pm
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by Mr Peter Greenhouse on Tue Mar 27, 2012 1:37 pm

Re: Smell, piercing & discharge

Hi - your smelly vaginal discharge is most likely to be Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), which is a change in the balance of germs in the vagina, often caused by excessive bleeding. It is also associated with chlamydia, which is the commonest cause of intermenstrual spotting bleeding in young women (except for forgetting to take the pill properly). BV is usually off-white or yellow, but is brown because it is mixed with old blood.

You should get onto one method of contraception & stick to it - your doctor shouldn't try to control you bleeding by altering your contraception until you have made sure your irregular bleeding pattern isn't down to chlamydia, which causes it by irritating the womb lining.

You can help your piercing by keeping yourself (and it) scrupulously clean - bathe in warm salty water (one pint to one tablespoon of salt), and remove the piercing avery couple of days to sterilise it by boiling in water.

You'll only find out what's happening & get an accurate diagnosis by going to a Sexual Health clinic for a proper check-up with swabs and microscopy of the discharge. Sounds like you've been suffering for several months, so don't hang about, get down there today!
Mr Peter Greenhouse
Consultant in Sexual Health

http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... nhouse.php

AdeleP
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2012 12:34 pm
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by AdeleP on Tue Mar 27, 2012 2:16 pm

Re: Smell, piercing & discharge

It's good to mention chlamydia, but I am tested regularly and I can confirm it is not this - I am a sexual health nurse in the making! I am reluctant to take out my piercing in case it won't go back in, and I love having it in. I have bathed in salt water and it did not improve anything.
I'll speak to my sexual health nurse about the discharge again, I am very aware of bacterial vaginosis and this could be the problem. Let's hope so anyway! Thanks.

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