Menopause And Body Odour

Picture this: I'm sitting in a crowded room, minding my own business, when suddenly I catch a whiff of something... different, and no it wasn't the farting out of nowhere.  I discreetly sniffed my armpits, wondering if it was me. And guess what? Yup, welcome to another under discussed symptom. Welcome to the wonderful world of menopause, where your body odour can go through some interesting changes.

Blame it on hormones

During menopause, your hormone levels go haywire. Oestrogen, the hormone responsible for regulating your menstrual cycle, starts to decline. And as oestrogen decreases, your body starts producing less of the natural oils that keep your skin moisturised. This can lead to dryness and, you guessed it, changes in body odour.

Hot flushes and sweaty pits

One of the most common symptoms of menopause is hot flushes. These sudden waves of heat can leave you feeling like you just ran a marathon in the Sahara desert. And when you sweat, bacteria on your skin break down the sweat, resulting in that not-so-pleasant odour. So, if you find yourself reaching for the deodorant more often, blame it on those pesky hot flashes.

Embrace the change

So, if you think about it, makes sense and so bloody obvious.  But what makes me mad, is that it's not openly talked about, and it can lead to huge confidence dents.  Like we need anymore of those.  I don't know about you, but my negative self talk doesn't need an excuse to put me down.

So while changes in body odour during menopause may be a bit disconcerting, it's important to remember that it's completely normal. Your body is going through a major transition, and a little extra funk is just part of the package. So, embrace the change, invest in some extra-strength deodorant, and remember to laugh it off. After all, menopause is just another adventure in the journey of life and totally normal.