Menopause Body Odor: Understanding Hormonal Impact
Menopause, a phase marked by hormonal shifts, brings women various physical and emotional changes.
As per the National Center for Biotechnology Information, about 1.3 million women become menopausal every year.
Menopause brings significant changes, leading to surprising symptoms like vaginal dryness, chills, and thinning hair.
But the most bothersome one? Menopause body odor.
In this article, we will learn more about the changes in body odor during Menopause and various treatment options.
Why body odor changes during Menopause
There are various reasons that you may notice a change in your body odor as you age.
As per Harvard Health, your sense of smell changes when Perimenopause starts.
You’ll realize that your smell has become more noticeable than in previous years.
Even if others around you can’t smell it, it’s likely significant.
From Perimenopause to Menopause, Estrogen levels decrease, and Testosterone levels increase.
This hormonal fluctuation may lead to a change in the smell of your sweat.
Changes in body odor during Menopause
Your body produces two types of sweat ‘Eccerine’ and ‘Apocrine’.
As per the Cleveland Clinic, Eccrine sweat produced by Eccrine glands is lighter and does not smell.
It is the sweat that the body produces to cool you down.
On the other hand, the sweat coming through the Apocrine glands travels through the hair follicles.
It reacts with bacteria on the hair and produces an unfavorable smell.
Consider paying more attention to the following body parts as they are more prone to produce odor:
Underarms
You might notice the biggest change in the smell under your arms.
This area is prone to body odor because it doesn’t get much air and rubs together.
Hot flashes and night sweats can make you sweat more here.
That’s why we use deodorant!
Groin
You also have Apocrine glands in your groin, which means this area already produces smelly sweat.
It’s warm there, and the skin rubs together without much breathing space.
The increased warmth leads to more sweat in this area of the body.
Breasts
You might be surprised to know that your breasts also have Apocrine glands so that they can produce sweat too.
Even if you haven’t noticed it before, the sweat is still there.
During Menopause, the area around your nipples can sweat more and develop an odor, especially if you wear a bra that keeps the skin warm most of the time.
Feet
The areas of the body we discussed above have something in common: they are all warm and enclosed.
This makes them an ideal spot for bacteria to thrive, leading to sweat and odor.
Also, during Menopause, keep an eye on your feet as they may sweat and smell more than usual.
Factors influencing body odor
Various factors like anxiety, stress, and diet can influence the odor of your sweat and body.
The following factors must be kept in mind to get a better body smell:
Stress
Stress can impact how you smell.
Studies show that when you’re stressed, your body produces odors related to increased stress levels.
This type of sweat comes from your Apocrine glands, so a stressful day might also mean a smelly day.
Diet
What you eat can influence your smell, especially if you consume foods that cause gas, like broccoli, cabbage, and asparagus.
The gas produced can be released through your skin, affecting your smell.
Menopause body odor treatment
Generally, body odor is due to the hot flashes and night sweats that occur during Menopause.
You can do nothing about preventing night sweats, but you can ease the symptoms.
Natural treatment for body odor
Following are some of the ways to prevent yourself from Menopause body odor:
- Dress in light clothes: Put away heavy fabrics like denim, corduroy, and velvet. Wear light clothes made of silk, chiffon, or athletic materials instead
- Change your deodorant: Talk to your doctor about getting a stronger antiperspirant if you sweat under your arms. Regular deodorants only hide the smell; they don’t stop sweating
- Drinking cold water: Keep a glass of ice water near your bed when you feel too hot. Also, carry a water bottle when you go out to stay hydrated on the move
- Get a cooling mist: When you feel too hot, use a hydrating spray to cool yourself down. These sprays can keep you feeling cool for up to two hours
- Cold packs under your pillows: By doing this, your head will stay cool and comfortable as you fall asleep
- Keep the fan on standby: Whether you’re working from home or relaxing on the couch, keep the fan running to stay cool
- Acupuncture: According to some research, weekly acupuncture sessions may help treat hot flashes during Menopause, although it could be due to the placebo effect. It might also reduce stress over time, which could potentially help with other menopausal symptoms
Some natural herbs like Black cohosh, Ginseng, Red clover, and Evening primrose oil can also help with menopausal sweating.
These natural treatments for Menopause odor can help you get relief from excessive sweating.
Medications
Various medications are available to treat hot flashes and night sweats, which help relieve body odor.
As discussed above, stress can also cause Menopause body odor, so managing stress can help.
- Hormonal therapy: Various hormonal medicines, mainly containing Estrogen, can help treat menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. This can help in reducing the body odor
- Antidepressants: Your doctor may prescribe a certain type of antidepressant called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in a low dose to reduce the intensity of hot flashes. While not as effective as hormone therapy, SSRIs can benefit those who prefer not to take hormone-based medications or cannot do so.
Conclusion
Menopause can change body odor due to hormonal fluctuations and other factors like stress and diet.
Understanding these influences can help women better manage and cope with any discomfort they may experience.
Simple lifestyle changes, such as dressing in light clothes, using the right deodorant, and staying hydrated, can significantly reduce body odor during Menopause.
Additionally, exploring natural remedies like acupuncture and certain herbs may provide further relief.
By staying informed and proactive, women can navigate the journey of Menopause with greater ease and confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I stop my body from smelling during Menopause?
To prevent body odor during Menopause, wear light, breathable fabrics and use a stronger antiperspirant if needed. Staying hydrated with cold water and using cooling sprays or fans can also help, and considering weekly acupuncture sessions may help manage hot flashes and stress.
Does Menopause cause bad body odor?
Menopause can lead to changes in body odor due to hormonal fluctuations and other factors like stress and diet. These changes may cause some women to experience increased body odor during Menopause.
How do I get rid of the menopause smell?
To manage menopausal body odor, wear light, breathable fabrics, use a stronger antiperspirant, stay hydrated with cold water, and consider cooling sprays or fans. Weekly acupuncture sessions may also help with hot flashes and stress, reducing body odor.
