Vaginally odor for over a year with unusual discharge and itchiness sometimes - #12963
Had a miscarriage and vaginal odor after sometime. Had a pelvic exam and culture done but no change till now. It's now been over a year and the odor is affecting my marriage and my husband says he's experiencing pain when urinating
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Hi Dear Darlene, The symptoms looks more of urinary tract infection could be fungal too or fungal vaginitis Kindly maintain proper hygiene Take the discharge for fungal culture and sensitivity Take adequate hydration Use TAB LEVOFLOX 500mg 1-0-0 for 14 days TAB FLUCONAZOLE 150MG 1-0-0 FOR 7-10 DAYS if symptoms persist kindly visit a nearby Gynecologist and urologist Take care
Persistent vaginal odor for over a year after miscarriage could indicate a chronic vaginal or pelvic infection that needs thorough evaluation. Since your husband also has urinary pain, both partners should be tested for sexually transmitted or urinary tract infections. Please consult a gynecologist and a urologist together for detailed cultures, imaging, and targeted treatment for both of you.
1. Persistent vaginal odor with discharge for more than a year suggests chronic vaginal infection, most likely bacterial vaginosis (BV) or mixed infection (BV + yeast). The associated itching and your husband’s burning during urination indicate possible cross-infection.
2. Even if a previous culture was normal, repeat vaginal swab culture and sensitivity is recommended infections can recur or change pattern.
3. Both partners should be treated together. Typical regimen:
Metronidazole 400 mg twice daily for 7 days (for both partners) or a doctor-prescribed equivalent.
Topical antifungal-antibacterial vaginal gel (clindamycin + clotrimazole) once daily for 5–7 days.
For the husband: Urethral hygiene and condom use until treatment completion.
4. Avoid scented soaps, tight underwear, and use only mild pH-balanced intimate wash.
5. Re-evaluate if symptoms persist after treatment chronic BV can sometimes require a longer suppressive course or check for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
6. Probiotics (Lactobacillus) and curd/yogurt daily help restore healthy vaginal flora.
Hello dear See as per clinical history it seems vaginal infection associated with putrefaction and post operative haemorrhage I suggest you to please get following tests done for confirmation Pelvic USG Serum ferritin Serum tsh Serum progesterone Vaginal swab Please share the result with gynaecologist in person for better clarification Please donot take any medication without consulting the concerned physician Regards
Hello,
You have been experiencing this for a year and now, your husband is experiencing pain during urination, which suggests the issue may be due to an undiagnosed or recurring infection. Possibly bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, or another infection
Please do Vagina swab test Pelvic ultrasound
If basic cultures and pelvic exam came back normal, then advanced STI testing or specialized swabs need to be done.
A miscarriage can occasionally lead to retained tissue or disrupted vaginal flora, especially if there was no follow-up or antibiotics were not given.
If an infection is found (especially Trich or BV), both of you must be treated at the same time or else it will just keep coming back.
It’s a medical issue that can likely be treated once the correct diagnosis is made.
I trust this helps Feel free to talk Thank you
Hello Darlene On the basis of your Symptoms - Vaginal odor >1 year, discharge, itching, husband with burning urination.
Your Probable diagnosis: Bacterial vaginosis / mixed vaginal infection ± STI
I would advice: • Tab Metronidazole 400 mg three times daily × 7 days • Tab Fluconazole 150 mg single dose • Probiotic capsule daily × 10 days
For your Husband:
• Tab Metronidazole 2 g single dose
General Advice • Avoid sex till both complete treatment • Maintain hygiene, avoid scented washes • If no improvement → repeat vaginal & urine culture, STI test (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomonas)
Follow up after 7 days or earlier if symptoms persist
Hello Darlene, I understand your worry. Here is my advise -
1. Recommended Investigations - Vaginal Swab Culture & Sensitivity, Wet Mount Microscopy or NAAT (PCR) for Chlamydia Trichomonas Gonorrhoea, Urine Routine + Culture, Ultrasound of Pelvis, CBC, CRP, FBS, HIV, VDRL. Review with reports.
2. Till then, start with this prescription: -Tab. Metronidazole 400mg twice a day × 14 days -Cap. Doxycycline 100mg twice a day × 14 days - Clotrimazole Vaginal Pessary 500mg single dose -Tab. Lactic Acid Bacillus twice a day × 7 days.
4. For your husband - Get done CBC, ESR, CRP, urine routine culture & sensitivity. And start this treatment for him - -Tab. Oflox + OZ twice a day × 7 days -Cap. Pantop + DSR before breakfast × 7 days - Syp. Urine Alkalinizer 2tsp + 1/2 glass water thrice a day.
3. General Advise- Avoid using soaps / douches inside the vagina. Wash only with mild unscented soap externally. Keep the genital area dry; change underwear twice daily. Avoid tight synthetic clothing. Maintain hydration and proper hygiene before/after intercourse. Both partners should abstain from sex until treatment is complete.
4. When to Seek Urgent Care- Fever, pelvic or lower-abdominal pain. Blood-stained or foul discharge. Your husband develops worsening urinary symptoms. Which Doctor to See- Gynecologist for you. Urologist for your husband.
Feel free to reach out again.
Regards, Dr. Nirav Jain MBBS, DNB D.Fam.Med
Hello Vaginal discharge with odour can be due to various causes. Kindly give the complete history for better evaluation.
Visit a gynaecologist in person. DON’T GET ANY TESTS OR MEDICINES BEFORE THAT.
Take care
Vaginal odor persisting for over a year, especially after a miscarriage, can suggest several underlying issues that might not have been fully addressed or diagnosed yet. Since you’ve already had a pelvic exam and culture, but it’s still ongoing, it’s important to delve deeper into potential causes and solutions. One common reason for persistent vaginal odor is bacterial vaginosis (BV) or a yeast infection, but since you’ve had a culture, it’s possible that other less common infections or imbalances might be involved. Consider requesting a more comprehensive evaluation which might include additional cultures for uncommon pathogens or an evaluation of your vaginal pH. Hormonal changes, post-miscarriage, can also lead to microbial imbalances, and that might contribute to your symptoms. Additionally, with your husband experiencing pain during urination, it’s prudent to consider the possibility of an untreated or undiagnosed sexually transmitted infection (STI), which can sometimes show minimal symptoms in one partner but significant issues in another. Both of you might need to be tested for a full panel of STIs, including gonorrhea and chlamydia, as these could potentially cause your husband’s symptoms. Treatment may involve antibiotics or antifungal medications tailored specifically to any identified or suspected pathogen. Meanwhile, maintain good personal hygiene but avoid over-washing or using harsh soaps. Consider wearing breathable cotton underwear and avoid tight-fitting clothing to facilitate airflow. Avoid douching, as this can disrupt the natural bacterial balance. Drink plenty of water to help flush out toxins. If over-the-counter treatments have not been effective, ensure all prescriptions are completed, and follow any additional guidance your physician provides. It may be worthwhile, if previous samples were normal, to seek a second opinion from a specialist such as a gynecologist or a urologist for a more specialized assessment. Addressing these concerns as soon as possible is imperative and having open, honest communication with your healthcare provider about the impact on you and your husband’s quality of life can prompt more in-depth investigation or alternative management strategies.
I’m really sorry you’re going through this—it sounds physically uncomfortable and emotionally heavy. Given your history, a persistent vaginal odor lasting over a year after a miscarriage, despite pelvic exams and cultures, is not normal and needs careful evaluation. The fact that your husband is experiencing pain on urination raises concern for a possible ongoing infection that might have been missed, or another underlying issue affecting both of you.
Here’s what I would recommend: 1. Comprehensive Gynecological Re-evaluation • Even if cultures were done before, some infections (like anaerobic bacteria, mycoplasma, or certain fungi) may be missed on routine cultures. • Conditions like retained products of conception, chronic endometritis, or pelvic inflammatory disease can cause persistent odor and discharge. • Imaging such as pelvic ultrasound or MRI might be needed to check for retained tissue or structural issues. 2. Consider Partner Evaluation • Your husband’s painful urination could indicate urinary tract infection, sexually transmitted infection (STI), or other genitourinary issues. • Both of you may need screening for STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas, or bacterial vaginosis-related pathogens, as some infections can affect both partners. 3. Microbiological Testing • Vaginal swab with extended culture and sensitivity • PCR tests for unusual bacteria and STIs • Sometimes culture alone is not enough; molecular tests can detect hidden infections. 4. Pelvic Floor & Hygiene Assessment • Persistent odor can also be influenced by hygiene, pH imbalance, or chronic inflammation. • Avoid harsh soaps; using mild pH-balanced cleansers is recommended. 5. Specialist Referral • Consider seeing a reproductive infectious disease specialist or gynecologist with experience in chronic vaginal infections. • If necessary, a urologist evaluation for your husband is important to ensure there’s no urinary tract pathology.
This is serious enough that waiting is not advisable. Persistent odor and your husband’s symptoms suggest an ongoing infection or inflammation that could affect fertility and overall health if left untreated
It is the early symptoms of PID better to consult doctor at earliest, avoid using public toilets, avoid using western toilets hand showers as it spread infection in intense apply cocunut oil during nights around the vagina!
Hello Darlene By going through your history and proper evaluation of you case it seems of infection but nothing to worry about you have to follow some treatment and maintain some precautions as follows - Treatment- Rx - for you -Tab. Metronidazole 400mg twice a day × 14 days -Cap. Doxycycline 100mg twice a day × 14 days - Clotrimazole Vaginal Pessary 500mg single dose -Tab. Lactic Acid Bacillus twice a day × 7 days.
Rx - For your husband - -Tab. Oflox + OZ twice a day × 7 days -Cap. Pantop + DSR before breakfast × 7 days - Syp. Urine Alkalinizer 2tsp + 1/2 glass water thrice a day.
Precautions - Avoid sex till both complete treatment • Maintain hygiene, avoid scented washes
Further investigation - Pelvic USG Serum ferritin Serum tsh Serum progesterone Vaginal swab
Please share the result with gynaecologist in person for better clarification
Thank you
Hello Darlene Don’t worry it’s treatable Follow the advice
3. General Advise- Avoid using soaps / douches inside the vagina. Wash only with mild unscented soap externally. Keep the genital area dry; change underwear twice daily. Avoid tight synthetic clothing. Maintain hydration and proper hygiene before/after intercourse. Both partners should abstain from sex until treatment is complete.
Tab metronidazole 400mg once a day for 7 days Tab doxycycline 100mg once a day Cap pantos dsr before breakfast Tab candid -cl pervaginally Tab atrax once a day while going to bed For your husband likely sti. Bcz of your infection Tab metronidazole 400mg bd for 5 days Cap pan top dsr before breakfast Cap sporolac twice a day Don’t worry it’s happened because postpartum purification in few females It will go away within 3 weeks Feel free to reach out Thanks
You both need to be treated for the infection. Consult for a detailed history and prescription of antibiotics.
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