I’ve been a tomboy from a young age. My friends have always been guys, and I developed a dislike for being around other girls around age 10-11 because the people who bullied me were all girls.
When I was a teenager, I kept hearing that girls and women supposedly have a strong “fishy” smell. I know it’s a meme, but I’d seen and read enough firsthand stories that it stuck with me. I even came across accounts from gay men who said that every woman they knew smelled that way, and that it influenced their attraction to men.
In my case, I seem to be an exception. There’s no fishy smell on myself, just normal skin or sweat when I’m active, or at night when I’m due to shower. But that actually made me even more uncomfortable around groups of girls and women, because I really hate the smell of fish or seafood in general, and if there’s a lot of women in a room, that smell lingers even after they’ve left.
Sometimes I feel embarrassed, because people see me, see that I’m female, and I worry they automatically assume I’ve got a rotting crab factory somewhere.
Aight, I get that OP is what you might call a repeat offender when it comes to posting things over and over. But the issue is still a significant one.
So, anyone scrolling through the responses here so far is going to see two main things said.
One, that it’s hygiene, and/or that it’s an “infection” (though that term isn’t fully accurate).
There’s more to the story than that.
Talking specifically about the “fishy” odor, not any of the others possible on human genitals (because it isn’t just women that can have that particular odor), hygiene isn’t usually the driving factor. It’s typically going to be an imbalance in the microbiome of the genitals, particularly the vaginal canal, or the presence of an unfamiliar microbe.
Trichomoniasis, a condition caused by an invading protozoan, is usually going to be the cause of a strong, unpleasant rotten-fishy type of smell. It’s also got other symptoms, but that’s not the thrust of this. But it is absolutely not a hygiene issue. Doesn’t matter what kind of routine you have, it isn’t going to prevent it.
The less pungent “fishy” smells tend to be more about the usual assortment of microbes we all have on us at all times being disturbed enough that one or another is outcompeting the others. Bacterial vaginosis is what that’s called. It isn’t so much an infection as it is something going wacky. Now, this can be triggered by bacteria from a foreign source getting into the vagina, or even just onto the vagina in enough numbers that it throws things out of equilibrium. This may or may not be a result of sexual activity.
Again though, hygiene isn’t a primary factor. If anything, people going nuts over washing or using shitty products is more likely to cause problems than just not bathing. You start screwing up the Ph of the genitals, and germs throw a rave. Lack of bathing doesn’t tend to cause short term trouble, and even once enough oil and dead skin builds up to grow colonies in abundance, doesn’t tend to get fishy as much as that cheesy, funky, slightly rotten smell. And, even then, if everything stays balanced, you might not have any excess odor, it’s just that it’s possible.
If a person is using conservative methods with their genitals, isn’t fighting an active infection, and also isn’t doing a lot of crazy shit, they can still have what might get called fishy, but really isn’t what people think of. Our slime, be it boogers in our noses, rectal mucosa, vaginal fluids, or whatever tend to have a sort of meaty undertone. That protein smell is also kinda what fresh fish smells like if the fish isn’t very oily. Think something like bream, maybe catfish, rather than tuna. That’s just always there, underneath whatever personal variances there might be.
However, some personal variances do run closer to something like salmon or mahimahi. It isn’t going to be super strong in most cases, though you do run into it occasionally. But it isn’t an unpleasant scent, just very “meaty”.
Also, I want to repeat that it isn’t only vaginas an vulvae that carry these smells. Penises definitely can smell fishy. Don’t forget that parts of the penis are mucous membranes too, so they’ll produce the same basic range of aromas.
Since it often comes up, there are right and wrong ways to wash your junk. There are also ways that aren’t necessarily wrong, but will give outcomes that aren’t really desirable either.
The current best practices are the same ones I used for twenty years while washing other people’s junk. I look them up any time I talk about this subject because there’s always one asshole (at least) that wants to claim it’s bullshit. But I was responsible for the skin health, including genital health, of hundreds of men and women, and it was a source of great pride that my patients never stank. If you factor in pediatrics cases, and cases where I wasn’t a long term caregiver (subbing in for a weekend or whatever), that number gets into the thousand + range far enough I can’t keep track.
There is the caveat that some medical issues may require a change to general best practices. If that’s the case for anyone, consult whatever doctor/provider is guiding your care for your individual needs, this is all general purpose.
So, those best practices are to use no soap, minimum abrasion, and ideally only warm water (not hot). You don’t need a washcloth, but definitely avoid anything that feels scratchy. Your bare hands and warm, running water are all it takes, period. Yes, even during one’s period. Anything else is to satisfy ones mind, not cleanse the genitals, and that’s okay if that’s what you want.
But soap strips oils more than is ideal for genitals, and it dries out mucous membranes. This is a recipe for bacteria to set up a factory and go crazy. It is entirely possible to kick off a bacterial vaginosis issue from over zealous bathing, especially when soaps not well designed for genitals are used. There are soaps on the market that are designed to gently cleanse genitals.
The problem is figuring out which of those that claim to do the job right actually do. Most of the time, if in doubt, go to a medical supplies place and see what kind of perineal care products there are, compare ingredients with whatever you’re wanting to buy that is available in a regular store, and be prepared to experiment with what does and doesn’t help your skin.
The other big part is to rinse well and dry thoroughly. A lot of skin issues start with moisture hanging around. Most of the time, you can go out, get sweaty as hell, and not bathe, and still have zero issues if you dry yourself well along the way. Jock itch, as an example, doesn’t come from being sweaty, it comes from staying damp. You can’t always help that while out in the world, but you definitely can after your shower. If you’re time crunched, a blow dryer on a warm or cool setting can get the job done.
I personally do use soap on occasion, if I’ve been doing something grimy enough that it’s gotten everywhere. So it doesn’t have to be fanatical. But overall, the less you fuck with your genitals’ balance with soaps, scents, or anything else, the less trouble you’ll have with unpleasant odors.
I think you’ve already spent more emotional energy on this concept than anyone should.
I highly doubt that anyone is thinking about that at all during normal interactions.
Excuse the pun but something certainly seems fishy about this post. Surely at some point in their life, OP would have been in a room with women and discovered this wasnt true.
They also keep talking about how this is something they’ve heard and read about but then later say they’ve had to leave the room when a lot of women are around because of the smell lingering.
You don’t force your nose up women’s skirts and take lung filling drags? /S
Only if I have consent!
Sometimes I feel embarrassed, because people see me, see that I’m female, and I worry they automatically assume I’ve got a rotting crab factory somewhere.
In my experience, if they do that, they’re misogynists anyway. It’s kind of a ploy that people only cite in a desperate last ditch attempt to feel superior to women; I didn’t know about it until an insecure misogynist i knew started to go on about it all the time. This is because it’s something that only really arises when you’re close to a womans genitals - i know there’s some fantastical stories suggesting otherwise but bear in mind they might be reddit creative writing.
I mean, what you describe in that quoted section is literally misogynistic profiling, so believe me you want those people to stay away.
I know someone in my own life who does have some (different)) Body Odour problems, some things she could do are get exercise at least every 3 days, clean her room more, eat more healthily, get up earlier and not bedrot. (I’m trying to help them, it’s also a new problem and I don’t want to push it too much.)
But how does this anecdote help you? Well, as long as you’re leaving your own room and home often - ideally spending time breathing outside air - then I think you’ll be able to pick up on any bad smells from your own body or clothes. If not, then relax.
Your gay friends were having a chuckle. Women don’t smell like fish from any appreciable distance unless there’s a serious hygiene issue. And then it’s more like regular BO with a bit of a twang.
Some people with vaginas have very poor hygiene habits, and can develop an unflattering smell down south. That being said, you typically need to be very close to the source of that smell before you would be aware of it.
So there’s this blind man, right?
Yea?
So there’s this blind man, right? He’s feelin’ his way down the street with a stick. He walked past this fish market, you know what I’m sayin’? He stopped, he took a deep breath, he said [*Sniffs*] “Woo, good morning ladies!”
I’m going to respond seriously in case this is a serious post:
Typically the “fishy” smell comes from Bacterial Vaginosis, which is an imbalance of bacteria that can be caused by several factors. It’s not common in healthy vaginas and if yours smells like fish then I recommend seeing a doctor and having it treated. Most women do not have a foul odour down there, especially not one that you can smell through clothes while keeping normal social distances.
You can’t believe everything you’ve read on the internet. Also, it sounds like the men you’re getting your information from are either prepetuating this myth unintentionally, or are very immature and think they’re funny (they’re not). I recommend going out and actually interacting with women, there are plenty of women out there who are also not girly that have similar interests to you. They won’t smell any different than a man would.
The best way to overcome your preconceived notions about others is by genuinely interacting with those people. I’m sorry you were bullied, but just as jerks exist in all genders, so do kind and awesome people.
Edit: I forgot to actually answer your question, no this is not a normal thing to worry or think about. It might be time to seek professional help.
Bruh - I’m tomboy, was raised to out-compete other boys, and am gay as can be.
The only time there’s ever been a fishy smell that’s been noticable above clothing was from someone with an infection, which is usually caused by poor hygiene. Sometimes that smell can linger, especially in a washroom if their bits have been exposed.
The only other thing I can think of is if someone has been menstruating into a pad that’s overdue for a change? Blood and the whole mucus and others that come from a woman can give a pretty horrible scent. But that’s gotta be so rare, and again, usually coincides with poor hygiene practices.
Everyone has a different scent (and taste), but it’s so rare (unless you’re between another’s legs) that you’ll smell it. Those jokes are in poor taste just like small dick jokes are. Men are just as capable of smelling awful down there, too. No one gender is particularly prone to stank more than the other.
So if you have at least okay hygiene practices and you’re not trying to paint the walls with your vagina, you’re fine.
In my experience, there’s definitely a difference between period smells and dirty vagina smells. But like you said, basic hygiene pretty much makes it a non-issue.
I have never met a woman who smells like fish, if you’re worried about body odor get an antibacterial body wash, you’ll be fine
Honestly this sounds like mental illness in the person perceiving these smells, maybe with a little bit of OCD.
In all seriousness I suggest that you speak with a doctor about this.
Second this. If this post is not a troll one - then thus post screaming for help.
Too many things, imaginary smells, social pressure of jokes and disassociation of “I’m not like the other girls”.
You can be girl or boy or whatever in between, or none of those - but you are no more special than all the humans around you. Not one bit.
Therapy, education and meditation needed.
This sounds like body dysmorphia, to be blunt.
No it doesn’t
Well when you put it that convincingly, assuming women’s vaginal odor is supernaturally pronounced and something everyone you meet is unrealistically preoccupied with and disgusted by – a belief plausibly tied into childhood trauma – doesn’t sound like body dysmorphia at all.
I’ll put up the DSM-V’s criteria here which are similar to the ICD-11’s.
I don’t see anything else better describing this ©*, and it evidently causes significant distress (B), because a) they’re saying it does, and b) this mindset would obviously be highly distressing.
(A) is slightly complicated by the fact that, in this paranoia, she thinks she’s the exception among women. It’s still a deeply negative, unhealthy preoccupation with a body part that she thinks she’s constantly judged by others for but in reality probably never has been; I think any psychologist would recognize this as a minor variation on typical BDD.
* There might be comorbid gender dysphoria, but that doesn’t fully explain this specific paranoia.
Or some form of OCD like tendencies. Definitely not normal
Wow that’s a lot to unpack. Um fellas is my nose broken? I’ve never experienced this. Like I’ve smelled sweaty hot bo pussy but not to the extent OP seems to think it aboundntly permiates and lingers.
You would know if you smelt it. I think its something medical. In my entire life ive only known one girl who smelled like it and it was fucking horrible. She was always clean too so its not like she was just dirty.
Maybe theres an incredibly mild smell that only some people can pick up on due to a weird gene or something, but I’m pretty sure the problem is exaggerated for the memes.
I have a few times, but it wasn’t until my face was in her crotch that I noticed.
From the accounts I’ve read and heard, the smell was so strong that people could notice it even after a girl or woman simply bent over in front of them (while clothed) or shifted her weight in her seat (again, while clothed), small movements like that were enough for it to be detected from across the room.
There’s a well-known joke about this, the one where a blind man walks past a fish market and says, “Good morning, ladies.”
I mean I’m sure it can happen but that seems far from normal. You would need a perfect storm of warm humid air, forced air circulation to the area, severe hygiene issues compounding on infection and PH problems.
You can trust my nose I’m a Dog 🐕🦺
I’m old and have never experienced a lady smelling “fishy”. Don’t worry about this. There’s definitely better things to worry about.
It sounds like you’re giving too much credence to what mysogynists and incels say on the internet.
This joke is from the song “Colt 45” by afroman, a hilarious and probably sexist classic party rap. It is funny because it is highly exaggerated. If it were true it wouldn’t be a joke.
As Afroman says, “I got a gang of this shit”.
I highly recommend listening to the whole tune, and singing along with your friends.
🎵🎶Colt 45, and two zig zags, baby that’s all we need,
We can go to the park, after dark, smoke that tumbleweed,
As the marijuana burns, we can take our turns, singing them dirty rap songs,
Stop, and hit the bong like Cheech & Chong, it will take you from here to Hong Kong,
So roll, roll, roll my joint, pick out the seeds and steems,
I’m gettin high as hell, rollin through Palm Dale, skatin’ on Dayton rims.
So roll, roll, the '83, Caddilac Coupe DeVille,
If my tapes and my CDs just don’t sell, I guess my caddy will. 🎶🎵Why do you care so much what other people say? Have you ever noticed this smell yourself?
I’ve personally never experienced any smell nor even this talk you say that “people say”.
if there’s a lot of women in a room, that smell lingers even after they’ve left.
I could only see this being true if it was a small room and they were all masturbating. Or, if one of them had a particularly bad infection or something, in which case that’s just a sign someone needs to go to the doctor.
I’ve never in my life smelled ‘fishy’ smells from a woman whose vulva my face wasn’t touching.
That particular idea comes from some viral reddit post I think. It’s either a story designed to incite righteous indignation + mockery, or it’s an exceptional medical situation, or both.
The fishy smell comes from a bacterial problem, it’s not normal, just common
I had an odd smell. My mother also kept telling me off because I “didn’t change my underwear.”
When the pain started when I was a student it turned out I’d had a bad infection for years.
You should smell some ripe balls and unwashed, poorly wiped ass. You’d never think about vaginal odor again. The emphasis on ‘fishy’ smell thing always crept out of the most misogynistic people from what I could tell, because it boils women down to their only “useful” feature, rather than concern about their health. “How dare you not keep your snatch in a state that pleases me!” …despite not being asked or invited.
