Perimenopause can lead to new and unexpected symptoms over time, and one that puzzles many women involves body odor.

ThisIsMenopause surveyed women in perimenopause to find out which symptoms they wanted to know more about. Several responded with questions about new smells. “My underarms smell bad,” one said. Another added, “I feel really tired, moody, and gross, and I smell weird.”

Keep reading to discover what causes body odor changes in perimenopause and what you can do about them.

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What Causes Changes in Body Odor During Perimenopause?

Changes in how you smell during perimenopause may have several causes. There may be multiple reasons that you smell different from the way you used to.

Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

Up to 80 percent of menopausal women have hot flashes or night sweats due to hormonal fluctuations, according to a study in the journal Menopause. Together, these are known as vasomotor symptoms, and they can contribute to making you sweat much more than usual.

Hot flashes are sudden feelings of warmth or heat, usually affecting your face, neck, and chest. During a hot flash, you’ll feel hot, and your skin may darken or turn red. Many people sweat during hot flashes, which can last for up to five minutes.

Night sweats are instances of sweating heavily during sleep. In many cases, these sweats can cause you to soak your pajamas and sheets. Even though sweating is involved, you may wake feeling very cold after a night sweat.

Profuse sweating during hot flashes and night sweats can lead to more body odor than you’re used to having, since they cause you to sweat more.

Changing Hormone Levels Lead to More Bacteria in Sweat

During perimenopause, your hormone levels change. These hormonal shifts may cause differences in your sweat composition.

Testosterone is naturally produced by the ovaries. Before perimenopause, the ratio of testosterone to estrogen is very balanced. But the closer you get to menopause, the more that estrogen-testosterone ratio changes as your estrogen levels decrease. This leads to a higher ratio of testosterone in your body.

The higher concentration of testosterone can cause you to produce more bacteria in your sweat. These hormonal changes can lead to a stronger body odor smell after sweating.

Your Sense of Smell May Change

It’s possible that you smell stronger body odor because your sense of smell has changed during perimenopause. You may be more sensitive to certain odors, or your perception of specific smells may change. It’s possible that you think you smell different, but that all that’s really changed is your sense of smell.

Or you could be experiencing more sweat or different bacteria in sweat, combined with changes in your sense of smell. This combination may be making changes in odor seem more intense than they really are.

Other Causes of Body Odor Changes

You may also experience changes in your body odor during perimenopause for other reasons, which can include:

• Stress — It’s common to have increased stress levels during perimenopause. Higher stress and anxiety levels can lead to more body odor.
• Weight changes — About 90 percent of women gain weight during menopause, according to Ochsner Health. If you become overweight, it can cause more body odor.
• Other conditions — Changes in how your body smells may not be related to menopause symptoms. Conditions such as thyroid changes or diabetes may contribute to changes in your body’s natural scent.

If you’re unsure what may be causing changes in your body’s smell, talk to your healthcare provider. Your OB-GYN and other members of your menopause care team can help you pinpoint the cause and find solutions.

Can Menopause Treatments Help With Odor?

Menopause treatments may help reduce body odor. For instance, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is also called menopausal hormone therapy, may balance the levels of estrogen and progesterone in your body. These medications can be administered in a few ways.

Systemic HRT addresses your whole body and is meant to be absorbed through your bloodstream. Your doctor may suggest using a patch, pill, gel, or spray. Systemic HRT may help reduce certain perimenopause symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes.

Local HRT addresses just one part of your body. For instance, your doctor may recommend applying a cream to your vulva and vagina to help treat vaginal dryness.

While using HRT may help you manage symptoms including body odor, it can also come with risks. Talk to your gynecologist or endocrinologist about the pros and cons to determine whether it’s right for you.

Which Lifestyle Changes May Help You Manage Odor?

You may be able to manage changes in how your body smells through lifestyle changes and self-care remedies.

Choose Antibacterial Soap

For bathing and showering, choose antibacterial soaps. They can help reduce how much bacteria lives on your skin. It’s especially important to use antibacterial cleansing products on sweaty body parts such as the groin and under the arms.

Use Antiperspirant or Deodorant

Some people find that using antiperspirants or deodorants can help reduce body odors.

Antiperspirants help cut down on the amount of sweat you produce. You should apply these to dry skin, preferably after bathing. You can also use them before bed if you’re managing night sweats. Deodorants, on the other hand, use fragrances to mask your natural body odors.

Some people prefer to use natural odor-reducing remedies. For instance, it may be possible to reduce body odor by applying wet green tea bags or a mixture of water and lemon juice to your armpits.

Wear Breathable Fabrics

Wearing loose-fitting clothes and undergarments made of breathable fabrics may help your skin breathe so you sweat less. This may help lead to less body odor. Natural fibers, like cotton or wool, are considered more breathable than synthetic fabrics like polyester.

Avoid Spicy Foods and Alcohol

Some foods can increase how much you sweat. By avoiding them, you may find that your sweat levels (and therefore your body odor) are reduced. Foods and drinks that can make you sweat include:

• Spicy foods, such as hot sauce or cayenne pepper
• Certain spices, such as cumin and curry powder
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

If you’re trying to pinpoint which food makes you sweat, eliminate one at a time. That way, you can better identify the item that triggers sweating.

Manage Your Other Medical Conditions

If another condition is causing you to sweat more than usual or smell different, managing it may help.

For instance, if you’re dealing with anxiety, your doctor may recommend stress-reducing lifestyle changes like mindfulness or cognitive behavioral therapy. If diabetes or thyroid issues are causing body odor changes, treating those conditions may help.

Consider Medical Interventions

Some people who sweat excessively may consider medications or procedures to reduce how much they sweat. These include:

• Prescription drugs that can cut down on excessive sweating
• Injections of medications such as botulinum toxin into your armpits to reduce sweating
• Antibiotic drugs to reduce how much bacteria is on your skin
• Surgery or devices that damage or remove sweat glands under your skin

Speak With Your Doctor

It’s important to stay active during perimenopause to feel your best and lower your risk for serious health problems. Try not to let more sweat or new odors prevent you from getting regular exercise or practicing other health-promoting habits. Your healthcare team can create a personalized care plan to help address your perimenopause symptoms and help you stay active.