If you would like to learn more about the impact of your symptom(s) complete our free online menopause questionnaire here.
What are menopause-related changes to body odour?
Sweat and body odour can be an issue for some women during the menopause transition, especially if they experience hot flushes. In more severe cases, some have to change their clothes or nightclothes, and some even resort to cutting their hair to prevent the feeling that it’s sticking to their neck.
Lots of women tell us they are more aware of their sweat smelling stronger. It’s worth knowing that your sense of smell can change in the menopause and you may think that you smell horrible even though you don’t.
We understand that none of this is very pleasant, and that’s why many women come to us for advice.
What causes changes to body odour during the menopause transition?
Sweat glands regulate temperature and cool you down. In the perimenopause and menopause, the thermoneutral zone (the zone when you’re neither too hot nor too cool) is reduced. Your body reacts by sweating at lower temperatures and making you shiver at higher temperatures than before. That’s why you sweat more during the menopause.
How the thermoneutral zone narrows during the menopause
We also sweat more when stressed, anxious, fearful or in pain – another reason many women sweat more in the menopause. Some people also sweat after eating.
A drop in oestrogen levels in the menopause can leave some women with relatively more male hormone (testosterone). This can cause them to have more bacteria in their sweat, and that sweat may smell more. It’s also why acne and skin changes can become an issue in the menopause.
Your body produces sweat from two types of glands
Eccrine sweat glands
These are found on most of your body. The palms of your hands or soles of your feet have more of them, while your tummy and back have fewer. Eccrine sweat is mostly clear water and doesn’t smell.
Apocrine sweat glands
These are found in your armpits and around your anus. This sweat contains more proteins, carbohydrates and fats, which means it’s more likely to contain bacteria that cause body odour.
In addition to the menopause, there is a condition called hyperhidrosis which causes excess sweating. This can be medically managed with prescription deodorants, a procedure called electrophoresis, and Botox.
How many women typically experience a change in body odour?
There’s no exact number, but there have been studies into hot flushes, which are often associated with sweating and body odour. From these studies, we know that around 75% of women experience hot flushes or night sweats. These flushes can last around seven years, though one in five women experience hot flushes for over 15 years.
Is body odour linked to any particular stage of the menopause?
A change in body odour can happen at any time of the menopause transition, whether or not it’s related to hot flushes.
Likewise, if the change in body odour is linked to sweating due to stress or anxiety, it can occur at any time during the menopause transition.
How can body odour be treated?
Managing hot flushes and night sweats is the first step towards alleviating body odour.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
HRT is the most effective way of managing hot flushes and night sweats[2]. For that reason, many women find it effective. There’s a lot to learn about HRT – the benefits and the potential side effects – before you decide if it’s right for you.
You can learn more about HRT here.
Other options to consider are:
Products
Many women find the following products help:
- Fans and cooling sprays – great for keeping cool during the night
- Cooling pillows – can be helpful for the night time
- Antiperspirants – these work by blocking the sweat glands. Some contain antibacterial agents to combat smelly bacteria
- Extra strength deodorants – speak to a pharmacist to identify the best one for you
Most supermarkets and pharmacies sell products for managing sweat, including natural alternatives.
Clothing
Try to keep cool with loose, light cotton (rather than synthetic) clothing. There are lots of great nightwear options available.
Managing stress and anxiety
Managing stress and anxiety isn’t always easy, but it can help – read our information on anxiety here where you’ll find lots of practical tips. Try to be prepared for sweats to occur in whichever way you find helpful (clothing, fans, having a bottle of cool water to hand for example). Feeling more prepared may help you avoid being anxious about sweating – and this can help you to break the vicious cycle.
It’s important to know that there are other medical conditions that can result in an increase in sweating. If you have other symptoms or have other concerns, please speak to a doctor.
FAQs
Bacteria on your skin cause body odor. It's completely normal to have a natural body odor and isn't necessarily related to how much you sweat. Sweat itself is odorless. Some medical conditions, genetics, having overweight or eating certain foods could make you more susceptible to bad body odor.
How to tell someone their body odor is offensive? ›
Address the issue of body odor directly and compassionately, without being judgmental or insulting. Have the conversation in private to avoid embarrassment and ensure a respectful approach. If necessary, follow up with additional discussions to address any underlying causes and offer support or accommodations.
What does diabetic sweat smell like? ›
A person living with a health condition such as diabetes or kidney disease may also have sweat that smells like ammonia. A person can try antiperspirants to reduce the amount they sweat, and deodorants to cover up any odors. A doctor can treat any underlying health conditions to help reduce the ammonia smell in sweat.
How to permanently get rid of body odor? ›
The following suggestions may help:
- Bathe daily. Regular bathing, especially with an antibacterial soap, reduces the growth of bacteria on your skin.
- Choose clothing to suit your activity. For daily wear, choose natural fabrics, such as cotton, wool and silk. ...
- Try relaxation techniques. ...
- Change your diet.
A healthy vagin* usually has a slight scent, but choices of food, drink, hygiene practices, and clothing can all affect it. A stronger odor can also indicate a health problem that needs medical attention. Nutrition, health status, and other factors can affect the natural fragrance of the vagin*.
Why do I smell bad down there even though I shower everyday? ›
A strong vagin*l odor may be a sign of vaginitis, or it may be a temporary smell related to your hygiene, lifestyle or other changes. Take note of whether you have other symptoms. If the odor is related to an infection, you'll usually notice other changes, like vagin*l itching, burning and discharge.
How do you know if you smell bad to others? ›
Smell every part of your clothing and look for wet spots where you've been sweating. Sweat usually means you've become a love environment for bacteria growth, and bacteria is what gives off the stench. Go by the golden rule of body odor: If you can smell any odor on yourself at all, others can smell it a lot more.
What makes body odor attractive? ›
HLA- linked olfactory receptor genes can therefore provide a possible mechanism for detecting HLA- specific odours. Androstenol, found in fresh male sweat, is attractive to women. Men and women are attracted to the pheromones they produce and HLA is related to the perceptions of other peoples' odours.
What does bad body odor say about your health? ›
You may need to call your doctor if an odd odor sticks around. A urinary tract infection (UTI), bladder inflammation, and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can trigger unusual smells. So can metabolic disorders, diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes), and gastrointestinal-bladder fistulas.
What does liver disease smell like? ›
Fetor hepaticus is the characteristic breath of patients with severe parenchymal disease, which has been likened to a mixture of rotten eggs and garlic. Gas chromatography reveals that the principal compound causing the odor is dimethylsulfide.
Liver or Kidney Problems - The kidneys and liver help remove toxins from our bodies. When they cannot function properly, toxins can build up in the blood and digestive tract, creating odor. Kidney disease can cause build of urea and make your sweat and urine smell like ammonia.
When I open my legs, it smells.? ›
“If you start to notice a fishy, rotten, or spoiled smell coming from between your legs, you should get checked out by a doctor,” Deysach says. Those scents are a sign of infection.
Why do I smell bad even with good hygiene? ›
Changes in body odor may be caused by puberty, too much sweat, or poor hygiene. Sudden changes may be triggered by the environment, your medications, or your food. It could also indicate a health problem.
Which soap is best for body odour? ›
Bathing regularly with mild soap and warm water cleanses the body but a good antibacterial soap will remove the germs too. The Dettol Soap has antibacterial properties and is especially effective in eliminating odour-causing bacteria from the skin and keeping you fresh and fragrant.
Why do I get body odor so easily? ›
Sweating and body odor are common when you exercise or you're too warm. They're also common when you're feeling nervous, anxious or stressed. Unusual changes in sweating — either too much (hyperhidrosis) or too little (anhidrosis) — can be cause for concern. Changes in body odor also may signal a health problem.
Why do I smell even though I clean myself? ›
Stress, certain medications, and alcohol use can also cause you to sweat more than usual. If you're still looking for a cause, look at your diet. Certain foods can change the way you smell. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower produce gas.
Why do I keep smelling a bad smell that isn't there? ›
Phantosmia may be caused by a head injury or upper respiratory infection. It also can be caused by aging, trauma, temporal lobe seizures, inflamed sinuses, brain tumors, certain medicines and Parkinson's disease. Phantosmia also can result from a COVID-19 infection.
Why do I smell bad even though I shower every day? ›
Body odor is caused by bacteria breaking down the sweat from the apocrine glands in your armpits, groin, and pubic area. You may be more prone to body odor if you are overweight, eat certain foods, have certain health conditions, or are under stress. Genetics may also play a role.
Why do I smell bad down there all of a sudden? ›
Changes in odor may be related to changes in diet or personal hygiene. If you start noticing a change in odor, think about the products you are using or what you're doing differently. You may be able to resolve the issue simply by making some slight modifications in your practices. Concerned about your vagin*l health?
