Body odour and menopause
It may not be the first thing you think of, but hormone fluctuations during menopause can cause changes in body odour. Do you feel like you smell, or does your perspiration smell different? Has your perception of smell changed? Changes in overall body odour are common during menopause. And, of course, it can make you feel self-conscious or uncomfortable. Do your hormones have something to do with it? And, more importantly, is there anything you can do to smell normal again?
First my periods changed, then I started getting hot flashes, and now I smell weird. I'm very self-conscious about it. I've tried different deodorants but nothing works! - Lydia (age 54)
Although research into menopause, body odour and excessive sweating remains limited, we know that certain hormones can stimulate sweat gland function and change your natural scent. However, the exact nature of this process during menopause is not entirely known.
Usually, symptoms (such as joint pain, muscle stiffness, and hair loss) are more severe in perimenopause, when hormonal fluctuations are more pronounced. In postmenopause, most symptoms will improve or completely disappear once the body adjusts to a new hormonal environment and hormone levels remain at a constant low level.
What is happening in your body?
Body odour occurs due to bacteria on your skin interacting with sweat. Sweat itself doesn't have an odour. But when some kinds of bacteria encounter sweat, they produce odorous compounds. The result? A smelly scent.
Does your body odour smell different or stronger to you? You could be right. It's not uncommon for body odour to change during menopause. This is because your hormones, in particular oestrogen, testosterone and cortisol, influence the way you smell. Oestrogen levels drop as a woman goes through menopause. This can lead to higher testosterone levels in the body, which in turn can affect the function of sweat and sebaceous glands and the numbers of bacteria present on the skin surface. This can have an impact on body odour.
Testosterone also stimulates the production of androstenol, a chemical that contributes to body odour, giving it a musky smell. In addition, menopause can alter your sense of smell. You may think you smell strange or bad, but in reality, you don't.
Other factors
During menopause, many women experience hot flashes and night sweats. These symptoms cause you to sweat more, which can lead to a stronger body odour. Certain foods, such as spicy foods and coffee, can also cause sweating. Excessive sweating can make your body odour stronger.
Furthermore, higher levels of stress and cortisol have been linked to stronger body odour. When you experience stress, your body enters fight-or-flight mode. (The body responds in this way even when there is no real threat.) Your heart starts to beat faster, your muscles contract and your body temperature rises, causing your sweat glands to become active. Cortisol levels also increase as women go through menopause, which contributes to stress.
Internal health issues, such as diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease or hyperthyroidism, may result in unpleasant body odours as well. Last but not least, body odour can also be a side effect of antidepressants.
What can you do?
Changes in hormone levels during menopause can cause your body odour to change. Can you actually do something about body odour? In most cases yes, depending on the cause.
- Drink at least two litres of water a day. Water keeps your body hydrated. Sweat is mostly water, so if you're dehydrated, it can be more concentrated and smell stronger. Do you sweat a lot or have hot flashes? Then you want to drink several large glasses of water or herb tea a day.
- Mind what you eat. What you eat can affect your scent. Sugar, coffee, alcohol, nicotine, and spicy or pungent foods can make your body smell. Some healthy foods, including garlic, onions and cabbage, can also cause body odour. This is because these foods contain sulphur which is released through your pores. Tip: tracking your food intake with a diet journal can be helpful.
- Feed your gut microbiome with probiotics and prebiotics. Research suggests that what you eat may influence which bacteria grow on your skin. Prebiotics and probiotics seem to have a beneficial effect on the gut and skin microbiome. Prebiotics can be found in asparagus, garlic, onions, artichokes, chicory, bananas, tomatoes, peas and beans. Foods that are high in probiotics include yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut and sourdough bread. You could also consider taking a supplement.
- Take a close look at your self-care routine. This may sound obvious, but sometimes packaging or marketing slogans can be misleading. Some tips? Use natural products that don't contain harsh chemicals or fragrances that may irritate the skin. Menopause can make your skin more sensitive. Use antibacterial products. Antibacterial soap kills bad bacteria (but it shouldn't be overused).
- Wear clothing and underwear made from breathable fabrics. Choose natural fabrics such as cotton and linen over synthetic alternatives. Cotton and linen are breathable fabrics that wick moisture away from skin.
- Find ways to relieve stress. Stress can cause you to sweat more. Set priorities, make time for rest and relaxation (without scrolling on your phone!), or try yoga or mindfulness. There are numerous ways to reduce stress in everyday life. Find out what works for you.
- Do you suffer from hot flashes? Would you like to learn how to calm them down? These tips can help.
Medication for body odour
Having body odour can be very embarrassing. Hormone therapy regulates hormone levels, which can help reduce odour issues.
What treatments can help?
One thing is certain: you can take charge of your hormonal health, no matter what you're facing. Hormone therapy has helped many women and can ease the most troublesome symptoms quickly and safely.
Hormone therapy for body odour
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medical treatment used to relieve severe menopausal symptoms, such as sleep problems, night sweats and hot flashes. During menopause, hormone production declines. HRT is designed to replenish the body's natural hormone levels and can also be an option for alleviating unwanted odours. There are different types of HRT with bioidentical hormones and synthetic hormones, such as Progynova, Trisequens and Activelle (Kliovance).
It was like my internal thermometer was going haywire. Profuse sweating, a strange body odour... HRT solved this awful problem. - Brigitte (age 56)
Sources
- Golen T, Riciotti H. Harvard Health Publishing. (2023). Why has my natural scent changed during perimenopause? https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/why-has-my-natural-scent-changed-during-perimenopause
- Kassel G, Shilpa A. Healthline. (2023). Is There a Relationship Between Menopause and Body Odor? https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause-body-odor
- Woods NF, Mitchell ES, Smith-Dijulio K. (2009). Cortisol levels during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause: observations from the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study. PMID: 19322116.
- NHS. (2021). Body Odor (BO). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/body-odour-bo/
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Body Odor. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17865-body-odor
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FAQ
My vagina smells strange. What can I do?
Changes in your vaginal odour may indicate a vaginal yeast infection. Does your vagina suddenly smell strong, rotten, fishy and/or yeasty? If so, consult your doctor. Other complaints include: itching, a burning sensation, white/crumbly discharge, red, swollen vagina and pain during urination or intercourse.
My body odour is not getting better, despite your tips. What can I do?
If you continue to suffer from a strong, unpleasant smell for a long time, there may be more to it. Consult a docter to rule out any underlying cause.
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