Understanding Discomfort and Odor After Intercourse
Age 19, Female, Hispanic Hello community, I’m reaching out as I’ve been experiencing some concerns lately and am curious if anyone else has encountered something similar. On Thursday, September 4th, I engaged in unprotected sexual activity without lubrication, which I suspect led to minor tearing, as my partner was quite well-endowed. There was some discomfort during the act, but overall the experience was enjoyable. He climaxed inside of me, and afterward, I followed my usual practice of urinating to try to avoid a urinary tract infection. The following day, on Friday, I shaved and used Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash for cleansing. Usually, this product does not irritate me, but upon waking the next morning, I noticed a significant itch. Interestingly, scratching tended to provoke an odd sense of arousal. Since that time, the itchiness has persisted, and most recently, I observed a mild fishy scent coming from my underwear. Could these symptoms stem from a disruption in vaginal pH? Additionally, what types of ointments or creams are recommended for healing small tears in that area?
Answers (1)
9/9/2025, 2:10:39 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re experiencing discomfort and changes in odor after sexual activity, which can happen for various reasons. Here are the main points to consider:
-
Possible Causes of Symptoms: The itchiness and fishy odor you mentioned may be related to a disruption in the vaginal flora due to friction during intercourse, or perhaps an irritation from the body wash or shaving. It could also suggest a mild infection, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), which can cause a fishy smell and itching.
-
Immediate Self-Care Steps:
- Gentle Hygiene: Wash the area with warm water and a gentle, unscented soap. Avoid using any perfumed products or harsh soaps, as they may irritate sensitive skin.
- Hydration: Ensure you stay well-hydrated, as this can help maintain vaginal health.
- Wear Breathable Clothing: Opt for cotton underwear and avoid tight clothing to allow airflow, which can help prevent further irritation.
-
Healing Small Tears: For minor tears, you can apply a thin layer of a water-based lubricant or a lanolin-based cream to keep the area moisturized. Avoid using anything scented or alcohol-based, as these can cause further irritation.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Pay attention to how your symptoms progress over the next few days. If the itching worsens or the odor becomes more pronounced, it may be a sign of an infection, which would require further attention.
-
When to Seek Further Advice: If you experience persistent or worsening symptoms like severe itching, redness, swelling, unusual discharge, or if the fishy odor does not improve, consider seeking medical attention to rule out conditions like BV or a yeast infection.
It's important to remember that changes can occur in your body after sexual activity, and caring for your vaginal health is key. If your symptoms don’t improve or you're feeling uncertain, don’t hesitate to explore professional options. You deserve to feel comfortable and healthy!
Related Questions
Should I receive a rabies vaccination? And is it safe to consume alcohol afterwards?
I am a 24-year-old male. While I was playing with a neighborhood dog, I accidentally got scratched by its paw as I was feeding it. I only noticed the scratch a couple of minutes later. Although there was no visible blood, I could see some red lines around the scratch. I promptly cleaned it with soap. The dog had an ear tag, indicating that it may be owned. At present, I am in Georgia (the country, not the U.S. state), and I've come across varying opinions from medical professionals. Some have warned that consuming alcohol for six months after receiving the rabies shot could be fatal. Meanwhile, others claim that it's nothing to worry about. I've gone through the frequently asked questions, but my specific concern appears to be unique.
Seeking a Second Opinion on Potential Colon Cancer Concerns (Lab Results Included)
**Personal Details** - **Age**: 36 - **Gender**: Male - **Height**: 6 feet 3 inches - **Weight**: 220 pounds - **Ethnicity**: White **Health History** I've been experiencing ongoing digestive issues for over 18 months, which includes chronic diarrhea persisting for more than a decade and occasional acid reflux that has been troubling me for a similar duration. Complicating matters, I have a history of taking a significant amount of Excedrin daily — around 6-12 tablets — although I've stopped this habit since January 2025. Additionally, I am currently on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). **Recent Medical Developments** Following a drop in my Ferritin levels, my gastroenterologist has recommended that I undergo a colonoscopy. My general practitioner first highlighted this low Ferritin in January 2025, but another gastroenterologist I consulted in March seemed confident that there was no cause for concern. To provide context, I've compiled pertinent lab results from tests conducted since 2024: **April 2024 Results:** - **White Blood Cell Count**: 8.1 (normal range: 4.2 - 9.1) - **Nucleated Red Blood Cells %**: 0 (normal range: 0 - 0.2) - **Absolute Nucleated RBC**: 0 (normal range: 0 - 0.01) - **Red Blood Cell Count**: 5.27 (normal range: 4.6 - 6) - **Hemoglobin**: 15.2 (normal range: 13.7 - 17.5) - **Hematocrit**: 45.7 (normal range: 40 - 51) - **Mean Corpuscular Volume**: 86.7 (normal range: 79 - 99) **September 2024 Results:** - **WBC**: 6.1 - **RBC**: 6.09 - **Hemoglobin**: 16.1 - **Hematocrit**: 51.6 - **Mean Corpuscular Volume**: 84.7 - **Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin**: 26.4 - **Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration**: 31.2 - **Red Cell Distribution Width**: 13.1 **January 2025 Results:** - **Ferritin**: 12 (single test conducted) **April 2025 Results:** - **White Blood Cell Count**: 10.6 - **Nucleated Red Blood Cells %**: 0 - **Absolute Nucleated RBC**: 0 - **Red Blood Cell Count**: 5.78 - **Hemoglobin**: 15.1 - **Hematocrit**: 47.7 - **Mean Corpuscular Volume**: 82.5 - **Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin**: 26.1 - **Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration**: 31.7 **September 2025 Results:** - **White Blood Cell Count**: 8.9 - **Nucleated Red Blood Cells %**: 0 - **Absolute Nucleated RBC**: 0 - **Red Blood Cell Count**: 6.39 - **Ferritin**: 13 - **Hemoglobin**: 16.7 - **Hematocrit**: 53.1 While I recognize that I might be overreacting, I can't shake the anxiety and frustration I feel, especially given the ostensibly comforting stance of my previous gastroenterologist. A six-month interval has passed since the last assessment. Should I be concerned about these developments, or is my doctor’s advice to proceed with this procedure merely precautionary?
Inquiry Regarding Potential Vasovagal Syncope
As a 49-year-old male, I've been experiencing episodes of fainting under certain conditions for nearly ten years, totaling four instances. After discussing my symptoms with my general practitioner, he referred me to a cardiologist who has suggested the diagnosis of Vasovagal Syncope. However, I haven't had direct communication with this specialist; my symptoms were conveyed solely through my GP's report. While I accept this diagnosis, there are aspects that leave me seeking further clarification, and I would appreciate any insights to help ease my concerns. My primary inquiry is regarding the duration of symptoms associated with this condition. Is it common for symptoms to resolve rapidly, or can they persist for hours or even days? Although my fainting spells are brief, I often endure headaches and a feeling of mental cloudiness for several hours, despite following usual recovery instructions like lying down and elevating my legs. This prolonged recovery time seems inconsistent with the information I've found online, which generally suggests a quicker return to normalcy when these measures are taken. Additionally, is it normal to experience little or no warning before an episode occurs? My fainting episodes have often come on suddenly—on one occasion, I managed to tell my wife something felt off before losing consciousness, but multiple times she reported that my eyes rolled back without any prior indication from me. Conversely, in the moments leading up to these incidents, I have the sense that I was dozing off and awoke just as I was about to faint. This makes me wonder if I was unaware of the symptoms beforehand due to being in a sleep state. Regarding my health background, I am slightly overweight but not classified as obese. My blood pressure is elevated but falls short of being labeled hypertensive. I've dealt with asthma since childhood, which is currently well-managed with Flutiform. I also take Fexofenadine for allergies and have not experienced any asthma attacks. My health issues are managed appropriately within the UK context. I appreciate any guidance or insights you might offer regarding my situation.
Seeking Guidance on Recurring Sialadenitis
Let me lay out my situation as concisely as I can. I am a 24-year-old female experiencing what I believe to be repeated instances of sialadenitis for several years now. These episodes occur multiple times a month and can persist for as long as a week. During these episodes, I experience significant discomfort in my jaw, which radiates down my neck to my shoulder, specifically on the left side. The inside of my mouth becomes quite sensitive and tends to bleed easily during these flare-ups. Moreover, the lymph nodes on the affected side also become enlarged. Recently, I consulted with an oral surgeon for an unrelated issue, and he observed that my salivary flow on the left side was noticeably reduced. Unfortunately, I've reached an impasse with my primary care physician. Back in 2021, when this all began, she referred me to an ENT specialist who performed an ultrasound, but the results were inconclusive. Now, she is reluctant to refer me to another specialist, even as my condition worsens. A few months ago, my blood tests showed that my white blood cell count was slightly low, bilirubin levels were high (which has been a consistent issue), and vitamin D was below normal, while all other results were within the acceptable range. Which type of specialist would be best suited to address this condition?
Conflicting MRI Results: Seeking Clarity and Suggestions
I apologize for the lengthy post, but after five years of chronic pain, I feel utterly exhausted by this situation! I’ve been diagnosed with Thoracic Stenosis, along with bone spurs, and I experience intense pain around my ribs lower than the bra line, as well as in my chest, particularly between my shoulder blades and radiating towards my torso. It feels like my chest is burning. I underwent a cervical ACDF procedure on December 24, 2024, and now we’re turning our attention to the thoracic region. I also have two cervical ribs, and my doctor suspects I may be dealing with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). A repeat MRI was ordered since the last one was done in 2022, and we're planning an injection in hopes of alleviating some pain before considering surgery. The doctor indicated severe stenosis and bulging in the previous imaging, but the new findings seem inconsistent with what we expected! Please share any insights you might have. Thank you! **First MRI (2022)** **Reason for Exam:** Experiencing weakness in the extremities and middle back discomfort radiating into the chest. **EXAMINATION:** MRI of the Thoracic Spine. **TECHNIQUE:** A multiplanar, multiecho MRI of the thoracic spine was conducted. **FINDINGS:** The spinal cord appears normal in signal and structure. Notable narrowing at the T11-12 region can be attributed partly to ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. There’s an observed curvature (dextrocurvature) of the thoracic spine, with no sign of fractures or dislocations. Some degenerative changes at the endplates have been identified. A specific lesion along the superior endplate of T7 shows increased Tl and T2 signals, with some partial suppression on STIR imaging. There’s no evidence of bony edema, and the adjacent soft tissues look normal. - **T3-4:** Mild disc bulge is causing slight pressure on the anterior thecal sac, but no significant stenosis is evident. - **T4-5:** No disc bulge or protrusions present. - **T5-6:** No disc bulge or protrusions present. - **T6-7:** No disc bulge or protrusions present. - **T7-8:** No disc bulge or protrusions present. - **T8-9:** Mild disc bulge resulting in slight bilateral neural foraminal stenosis, without central canal narrowing. Features of facet arthrosis and mild ligamentum flavum hypertrophy noted. - **T9-10:** Slightly diffuse disc bulge leading to mild bilateral foraminal stenosis, but clearing for central canal. Facet arthrosis and slight thickening of the ligamentum flavum observed. - **T10-11:** General disc bulge is coupled with facet hyperplasia and substantial ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, predominantly on the left, causing mild central canal stenosis measuring 0.83 cm and mild to moderate bilateral foraminal stenosis. - **T11-12:** No disc bulge or protrusions, but facet arthrosis is present. **IMPRESSION:** - No evidence of fractures or dislocations. - Spondylosis and multilevel degenerative disc disease present at T3-4, T9-10, and T10-11, resulting in mild to moderate nerve root constriction and mild central canal narrowing, chiefly at T10-11 due to facet changes and significant ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. - Bony hemangioma located in T7 vertebra. - Dextrocurvature of the thoracic spine noted. **Second MRI** **Study:** MRI Thoracic without contrast **Patient History:** Persistent discomfort between the shoulder blades, extending across the chest since cervical fusion on December 2024; includes numbness in both upper and lower limbs. **Procedure:** Multiplanar, multisequence MR imaging of the thoracic spine was completed without intravenous contrast. **FINDINGS:** Overall vertebral alignment appears normal. The heights of the vertebral bodies and bone marrow signal remain consistent. Intraosseous hemangioma presents in the T7 vertebra. The spinal cord demonstrates a typical signal and contour. There is multilevel degenerative spondylosis and facet joint degeneration. No significant spinal canal constriction or foraminal narrowing has been observed. Adjacent soft tissues remain unremarkable, and the scanned areas of the chest and upper abdomen show no significant findings. **IMPRESSION:** - No notable spinal canal or foraminal stenosis present.