Free Book Excerpt from "The V Book: A Doctor's Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health"

Urine

Substances in the urine are another potential source of odor. When evaluating an odor problem, specify for your clinician whether the odor comes out of the toilet bowl after you have used the toilet or whether the odor is present at times unrelated to the bathroom. Urinary odors are produced by foods such as asparagus, certain vitamins (especially B complex) and herbs, and medications, especially antibiotics such as ampicillin and nitrofurazone. Urinary tract infections can cause foul-smelling urine…

…Loss of urine (incontinence) can be another source of odor, as bacteria act on even small amounts of urine in the underwear. Sometimes a woman may be losing urine in small quantities without even being aware of it. To check, a clinician can give a substance that colors the urine orange (Pyridium); then the woman can see if there are orange stains on a pad that she wears after taking the medication. Some women are afraid to ask their clinicians about incontinence, thinking that surgery is the only cure for urinary loss. Fortunately, we have nonsurgical ways to help with this problem, such as exercises and the use of vaginal weights. But even if you need a surgical remedy, these procedures are becoming faster, better, and smarter each year. For example, a sling of tape or mesh can be put into place to support and stabilize the bladder neck and urethra; this can now be done as day surgery or in the office.