Why Does My Body Odor Change During Perimenopause?

Many women notice that their body odour (body odor) gets stronger or smells different as they approach menopause. Doctors at Harvard Health say there are several possible reasons: more sweating from hot flushes (hot flashes) and night sweats, hormone changes, and changes in your own sense of smell (Harvard Health: natural scent and perimenopause). Simple changes can help.

What's happening in perimenopause

Perimenopause is the time when your hormone levels fall and your periods start to change, before they eventually stop. It usually affects women between 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier (NHS: menopause and perimenopause). Hot flushes and night sweats are common symptoms (NHS: symptoms of menopause).

Why your body odour can change

Harvard Health describes three possible reasons (Harvard Health: natural scent and perimenopause):

More sweat: heavy sweating from hot flushes and night sweats can feed the bacteria under your arms, which leads to more body odour.
Hormone shifts: the drop in oestrogen (estrogen) leaves you with relatively more testosterone, which can attract more bacteria to sweat and make it smell stronger.
A changing sense of smell: your sense of smell can change in perimenopause, so you may notice your own scent more, even when others don't.

The NHS also lists hormonal changes among the things that can make body odour worse, along with exercise, hot weather and being overweight. Some conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease and liver disease, and some medicines, such as antidepressants, can make it worse too (NHS: body odour).

Everyday steps that help

The NHS suggests (NHS: body odour):

washing your armpits, groin and feet at least twice a day with soap, and drying them well
using an antiperspirant or deodorant
changing and washing your clothes regularly
choosing natural fabrics such as cotton, wool and silk, and avoiding tight clothes and man-made fabrics
wearing moisture-wicking socks and changing them at least twice a day
not eating too much strong-smelling or spicy food, and not drinking too much alcohol

Harvard Health also suggests drinking enough to make up for the fluid you lose through sweating (Harvard Health: natural scent and perimenopause).

A pharmacist can help too. You can ask about stronger antiperspirants, sweat shields to protect your clothes, foot powders, and gentler soap substitutes (NHS: body odour).

Easing hot flushes and night sweats

Because sweating plays a big part, calming hot flushes can also help with odour. The NHS suggests (NHS: things you can do for menopause symptoms):

wearing light clothing and keeping your bedroom cool at night
trying a cool shower, a fan or a cold drink when a flush starts
avoiding triggers such as spicy food, caffeine, hot drinks, smoking and alcohol
reducing stress where you can
exercising regularly and keeping to a healthy weight

If symptoms are hard to manage, treatment can help. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the main treatment for menopause symptoms. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a type of talking therapy, can help with hot flushes and night sweats, and some non-hormonal medicines may be offered if it doesn't (NHS: treatment for menopause).

If you're weighing up HRT, our guide Worried About HRT? What the Evidence Says About the Risks explains the benefits and risks.

When to see a GP

See a GP or your doctor if your body odour hasn't improved after trying these steps, and (NHS: body odour):

it's affecting your self-esteem
you notice a change in how it usually smells
you suddenly start sweating much more than usual

It's also worth seeing a GP if you think you have symptoms of perimenopause and want to know your options (NHS: symptoms of menopause). For severe body odour and sweating, a GP may suggest stronger prescription antiperspirants, medicines or injections to reduce sweating, or, rarely, surgery (NHS: body odour).

The bottom line

Stronger body odour in perimenopause is common and usually linked to more sweating and hormone changes. Washing twice a day, breathable fabrics, a good antiperspirant and managing hot flushes go a long way. If the smell changes suddenly, or it's knocking your confidence, a GP or pharmacist can help.

Not medically reviewed. This article is general information, not personal medical advice.