Although a change in body odour might not immediately bring menopause to mind, hormonal fluctuations during this stage of life can indeed play a role. Have you noticed that your sweat smells different, seems stronger, or that your sense of smell has changed? This can be perplexing. What role do hormones play in this? And what can you do to help restore balance to your body?
First, my periods changed, then came the hot flushes, and now I suddenly smell strange. I feel so self-conscious, and no deodorant helps!
Your body odour is determined by the interaction between sweat and bacteria on your skin. It is not the sweat itself that smells, but the way bacteria break it down.
During menopause, hormonal changes can influence this process. Oestrogen, testosterone, and cortisol, in particular, play a role. When oestrogen levels drop, testosterone has a relatively greater influence. This can affect the activity of sweat and sebaceous glands and alter the composition of skin bacteria, leading to a different or stronger body odour.
Testosterone also stimulates the production of androstenol, a compound associated with a musky scent. Additionally, your perception of smell may change. Some women find their odour stronger, even if it has objectively changed very little.
Menopause is often accompanied by hot flushes and night sweats for many women. This increased sweating can lead to a stronger body odour. Diet can also influence your sweat production and body odour. Think of spicy foods or coffee.
Stress and cortisol also play a role. When you're stressed, your body prepares for a fight-or-flight response (even if you're not in a life-threatening situation). Your heart rate increases, your muscles tense, and your body temperature rises, activating your sweat glands. Women in menopause often have higher cortisol levels, which can make them naturally more tense.
Finally, certain factors or conditions can affect your body odour, such as diabetes, liver diseases, kidney diseases, an overactive thyroid, and antidepressants.
Personalised product advice for your menopause symptoms
There are various ways to manage a changing body odour during menopause. What works depends on the individual and is influenced by hormonal fluctuations, lifestyle, and other potential causes. Lifestyle often forms the foundation. In some cases, medical support, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or non-hormonal medication, can help reduce underlying menopausal symptoms and, in turn, influence body odour.
When your hormone balance changes during menopause, it can affect your energy levels, sleep, digestion, and metabolism. Healthy nutrition, sufficient exercise, and rest can help prevent or alleviate symptoms. Small adjustments can already make a difference in how you feel.
When using medications or supplements, a balanced lifestyle supports your body in absorbing nutrients and processing medications, making supplements and medications more effective. Experts recommend the following for managing a changing body odour:
During menopause, the hormones oestrogen and progesterone in your body fluctuate and largely disappear once your periods have completely stopped. This can cause symptoms like hot flushes, vaginal dryness, or a changing body odour. For bothersome symptoms, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the most effective treatment. By replenishing the hormone deficiency, symptoms decrease. This helps restore balance to your body, giving you energy and calm in your daily life.
Hormone replacement therapy is always prescribed by a doctor and carefully tailored to your personal situation to ensure the treatment is safe and effective.
Many women are unaware that, in addition to hormone replacement therapy, there are proven effective non-hormonal medications to relieve menopausal symptoms. While hormone therapy can address multiple symptoms simultaneously, non-hormonal medication often targets a specific symptom. For example, certain antidepressants (SNRIs) for hot flushes, anti-inflammatory drugs for joint pain, or antacids for heartburn.
Non-hormonal medication is always prescribed by a doctor. It can be a good option for those who cannot or do not want to use hormone therapy. These medications work directly on the symptom without affecting your hormone balance, allowing you to address your complaints in a targeted way and support your body.
During menopause, changes occur in how your body produces energy, builds muscle, and repairs the skin. You can naturally support these processes with high-quality supplements. Magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3 are recommended for every woman going through menopause.
The effectiveness of supplements depends on factors like your lifestyle and health and can vary from person to person. The quality of the product also determines how well it works. Therefore, choose high-quality supplements without unnecessary fillers.
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