Body odour and menopause:
how to manage it

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute or replace advice from a medical professional.

Body odour and menopause: how to manage it

When you reach menopause, not only does your period stop, but it can also affect your body in many unexpected ways. Changes in your body shape, mood and skin can all go hand in hand with menopause, but did you know your body odour may also be affected? Read on to find out more about menopause body odour. We’ll look at how menopause sweats and dehydration are linked to these changes and the steps you can take to help this problem.

Why does body odour change during menopause?

During menopause, and even perimenopause, your hormone levels fluctuate, and you may notice you sweat more, have hot flushes or are more prone to stress and anxiety (which can also cause you to sweat more). Your sense of smell may be altered, making you think you smell bad when in reality, you don’t. These factors can all contribute to the change in body odour that many women notice during this time. A drop in oestrogen, along with excessive sweating, can also leave your body and skin feeling dehydrated.

Understanding your sweat glands (eccrine vs. apocrine)

You have two types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine glands are found in the areas that produce sweat that is mostly water, i.e. your hands, feet, torso and face. This sweat helps you to cool down and doesn’t really smell.

Apocrine glands, found in your armpits and groin, produce a different kind of sweat that contains fats, proteins, sugar and ammonia, which has a strong scent. When bacteria on your skin break down this sweat, it creates an unpleasant body odour. As excessive sweating is one of the main symptoms of menopause, you may notice you smell bad or different, more often than before.

How many women experience a change in body odour?

It’s unknown how many women experience menopause body odour changes, but studies into hot flushes and night sweats have shown that around 75% of women will experience them at some point during menopause. Some women may get hot flushes for a few years, whereas others have reported experiencing the symptom for around 15 years. With this many women experiencing hot flushes, it’s likely the percentage of women dealing with menopause body odour changes is also quite high.

How to treat menopause body odour

Menopause and excessive sweating that causes a change in body odour can be an embarrassing problem to deal with. Everyone wants to smell their best and avoid paranoia when out at social events. Here are some menopause sweating remedies that you can use in your everyday life:

Daily hygiene: the best soaps and showering habits

If menopause and sweating are issues for you, it’s important that you follow a thorough daily hygiene routine that keeps you feeling and smelling as fresh as possible. Here are some tips for showering that can help:

• Take warm showers instead of hot; water that is too hot can raise your core body temperature and cause you to sweat as soon as you come out of the shower.
• Avoid soaps, highly scented or coloured shower and bath products. Focus on products that contain natural ingredients and prioritise hydrating ingredients.
• Use a gentle exfoliator on your face and body once a week to remove dead skin cells that could be harbouring bacteria from sweat.
• Pat yourself dry using a soft towel.
• Apply a nourishing body moisturiser within 3 minutes of getting out of the shower or bath, while your skin is still damp.
• Spritz your body or clothing with light, clean perfume or body spray that will leave you feeling and smelling fresh.

Choosing the right antiperspirant for menopause

Use an antiperspirant for menopause that helps to reduce sweating, instead of just masking body odour like deodorant does. At Sanex, we have a range of antiperspirant sprays, sticks and roll-ons that will help you to stay dry and protected, while caring for your delicate underarms. If regular antiperspirant isn’t enough, ask your pharmacist or doctor about prescription-strength versions that contain higher levels of aluminium chloride, which helps to block your sweat glands.

Clothing and fabrics that help

Choose natural and breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, silk and merino wool. Avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester and acrylic if possible. These man-made fabrics are made from plastic, which means they hold in heat and don’t allow air to circulate around your body.

Foods to eat and avoid in menopause

Menopause sweat and dehydration go hand in hand. As your body is sweating more, it’s also losing vital water. Here are some tips on foods to eat and which foods to avoid during menopause:

• Make sure you replenish your body with foods that contain a high water content that will hydrate your body from the inside, like cucumber, celery, strawberries and watermelon.
• If your skin feels dry or tight, foods that are rich in vitamin E can boost skin health, like avocado, almonds, hazelnuts and pine nuts.
• Foods that are high in antioxidants and Omega-3 can promote skin health. This includes foods like salmon or oily fish, walnuts, berries and chia seeds.
• Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated; you should aim for around 2 litres per day to prevent dehydration in menopause.
• Avoid processed foods, spicy foods, fatty meats like bacon and alcohol as much as possible. These can exacerbate menopause symptoms and leave your body feeling more dehydrated.

FAQs

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about menopause and excessive sweating:

What does menopause body odour smell like?

Menopause body odour is likely to smell like sweat, but it does vary from person to person. Some women smell a scent that they don’t recognise as their own; this could be due to the change in hormones. Others say the smell is similar to urine; this could be due to higher levels of ammonia from your apocrine glands.

Can HRT help with menopause body odour?

Yes, HRT replaces some of the oestrogen your body loses. This can help to regulate your body’s sweat and production of sebum, which can help to minimise symptoms like night sweats and changes in body odour.

How to treat menopause body odour?

When treating menopause body odour, stick to a good daily hygiene routine to keep your skin clean and fresh. Try out products like fans, cool pillows and antiperspirant for menopause symptoms like night sweats or excessive sweating. Try to keep stress at a minimum and wear breathable fabrics that will help to keep your body cool. If none of these menopause sweating remedies have helped, speak to your doctor about whether HRT would be a suitable option for you.