Why does body odour change in perimenopause?

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

Excessive sweating and a change in your body odour can be symptoms of perimenopause for many women, especially if you also experience hot flushes. Women often report their sweat smelling stronger or believe their body odour is unpleasant. So, what causes body odour changes in perimenopause? Read on to find out more about menopause and body odour, along with the best lifestyle tips and skincare for perimenopause.

Understanding body odour changes in perimenopause

During perimenopause, your hormone levels fluctuate, and you may notice you sweat more or are more prone to stress and anxiety, which can also cause you to sweat more. Sweat itself doesn’t have a scent; the smell occurs when sweat mixes with bacteria on your skin. So, if you’re sweating excessively due to hot flushes and night sweats, it can feed the bacteria that live on your skin and lead to more body odour. When your oestrogen levels drop, you may also be left with higher levels of testosterone in your body than before. Testosterone can attract more bacteria to your sweat, leaving it smelling stronger than before.

Unusually, perimenopause can also change your sense of smell, making you think you smell bad when, in reality, you don’t. Fluctuating hormones can make your sense of smell more acute or alter smells, making you dislike scents you previously liked, or smell things differently.

Increased sweating: hot flushes, night sweats and stress

Common perimenopause symptoms include hot flushes and night sweats, both of which are often accompanied by excessive sweating. You can also expect your anxiety levels to increase during this time of change, which can also make you more prone to perspiring.

Your apocrine glands are found in your armpits and groin. They produce 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 to manage perimenopause body odour

Learning how to manage perimenopause body odour through good personal hygiene, hydration, skincare and stress management is key to helping the problem. Here are some perimenopause health tips that can help:

Hydration tips

You should be aiming to drink around two litres or six to eight glasses of water per day to keep your body hydrated. Carry a water bottle around, or keep one at your desk or beside your bed so you always have access to water. Set a reminder on your phone for every hour to remind you to drink. You can even add fruit or cucumber slices to your water for some flavour.

Good hygiene practices

If perimenopause body odour is an issue 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 hygiene tips 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.
• Use an antiperspirant deodorant that helps to reduce sweating, instead of just masking body odour like deodorant does. The best deodorant for perimenopause provides antiperspirant protection, whilst also caring for your delicate underarms.
• Spritz your body or clothing with light, clean perfume or body spray that will leave you feeling and smelling fresh.

Choosing breathable clothing

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.

Stress management strategies

Try to prioritise relaxation and minimise the stress in your life (easier said than done!) Spend time outdoors, move your body or try gentle exercise like yoga. Meditating in the evenings or reading a book instead of looking at your phone before bed can be helpful.

When to see a doctor about perimenopause body odour

If perimenopause body odour is impacting your daily life or causing you to feel depressed, speak to your doctor about your options. You may be a suitable candidate for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which can make perimenopause symptoms more manageable.

FAQs

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about body odour changes in perimenopause:

Why has my natural scent changed during perimenopause?

During perimenopause, not only does oestrogen drop, causing night sweats and hot flushes, but your sense of smell can also change, making you think you smell bad when you don’t. Changes in hormones can also leave you with higher levels of testosterone, which can attract more bacteria to your sweat, giving it a more pungent smell.

Why is my sense of smell so strong in perimenopause?

A lot of women find they have a stronger sense of smell or don’t like certain smells during menopause. This is because declining oestrogen levels can make your sense of smell more acute; it can also cause the mucous membranes inside your nostrils to dry out, leaving you with an altered sense of smell.

Can perimenopause be treated?

When treating perimenopause body odour, stick to a good daily hygiene routine to keep your skin clean and fresh. Try out products like fans, cool pillows for perimenopause 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 remedies have helped, speak to your doctor about whether HRT would be a suitable option for you.