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Original poster

Perimenopausal Armpits

58 replies

decenteringmen · 21/08/2025 17:02

Jesus fucking Christ.

In the last six months, ONE of my armpits has started to produce the most sour and pungent sweat, despite my best efforts. I usually leave my pit hair alone, and it grows to epic, EPIC proportions. I could braid the bloody stuff if I felt like it (I don't, I really can't be arsed). One armpit is absolutely FINE, but the left one is being pretty bloody obnoxious. I've now shaved them both. I've been using hibiscrub daily when showering to clear away any hideousness. I used to use Mitchum, but even that stopped working on my one awkward armpit. Since then I've tried Pitrok, Fussy, and several men's roll ons in the hopes that it might work, but nooOOooo. I change my bra and T-shirt twice a day. I am extremely clean and the idea of skipping a shower is revolting to me, sometimes I'm showering twice a day.

The heatwaves have been torture. Upon speaking to my doctor, she told me that this can happen when you're reaching the end of perimenopause (HURRY UP FFS), and I just have to deal with it. I'm on HRT patches at the highest strength (evorel) and have a Mirena installed because my periods are like Vesuvius without one.

I probably can't do much about it outside of bitching about it. I don't wear synthetic materials, only cotton because I know polyester etc can make things worse.

What in the ever loving fuck do I do now? I've considered weaponising my one armpit to demolish men, because frankly I'm fairly sure I could poison them with it. It is a biohazard at this point.

Please tell me I am not the only one with difficult armpits, and would it be entirely unreasonable to use my newfound but extremely unwanted superpower to knock them unconscious when they're being particularly annoying?

-Noxious armpit of Yorkshire.

OP posts:
NoWordForFluffy · 21/08/2025 19:26

Sure Maximum strength cream deodorant combined with washing with anti bacterial bar soap seems to be a winning combo for me (for now!).

ItsBouqeeeet · 21/08/2025 19:24

WobblyBoots · 21/08/2025 17:49

I have had this on and off for years. I'm probably peri now but have had it since my 30s. I don't have a solution!

The only thing that helps me is using pitrock or another salt based deodorant (not the natural block ones with scent like Wild or Fussy). Using soap in the shower rather than shower gel. If a top ends up smelling badly I was it in Halo (antibacterial washing liquid) and it usually goes. If not, the top is binned as once it smells it's a bit of a vicious circle.

Which pit is it!? Mine is my right and I wondered if I was applying the deodorant poorly with my left hand! Can't be though. Urgh.

Edited

Mine is my right one too! I've found men's shower gel and sure for men deodorant is helpful 😊

KimberleyClark · 21/08/2025 19:21

I had this. Armpit sweat had a most peculiar and horrible smell. It did go away though.

Original poster
decenteringmen · 21/08/2025 19:19

I shall try and answer everyone in one go, and hopefully won't miss anyone.

I'm 48 and definitely fed up of being perimenopausal considering I've been this way for 8 sodding years.

I use hibiscrub to wash my pits rather than anything like shower gel, because most of them aren't effective anymore. Pits need proper soap and cleansing, and not moisturising oily nonsense.

@Muffsies - the doctor did have a good look and poke about in my pits and surrounding areas to make sure nothing extra weird was going on. She didn't have any concerns. Thank you for the Vichy recommendation, and yes I am on the maximum level of Evorel HRT patches.

@Whowahway123 - I dont fancy botoxing me pits, but if it's the last chance saloon option, I'll look into it, thank you.

@Shirtyllama - another Vichy recc - noted and thank you!

@WobblyBoots - it's my left armpit that's being particularly hideous. Hibiscrub gets things clean and fresh, but the moment I exert myself, it kicks off.

@NuovaPilbeam - I shall give the dettol wash a shot, thank you.

@BeyondMyWits - I have been soaking the pits of my shirts with bicarb paste before putting them in the wash, and that seems to get the nasty out. I also add a cup of soda crystals to every load of washing, because it's great for extra cleaning power.

@zaazaazoom - Mitchum stopped being effective for me unfortunately, even the hardcore men's version. 😭

@DiscoBobit- it's s bloody awful, I am paranoid that other people can smell my pits when I'm out and about, even though they probably can't unless they're standing very close to me.

@Cat3059 - thank you for the Trust recc.

@Hiptothisjive - I will check out Secret, thank you.

@Turboislander - it's bloody weird that it's only ONE pit. Why does it have to be this wonky?!

@BashfulClam - I do have a large bottle of hand sanitiser, so maybe I'll spritz my pits with it after each shower.

@Mumoftwoboysaged4and5 - I stopped using spray deodorant years ago, I've been firmly in the roll on camp for a good while.

@Waitingfordoggo - I have not tried Driclor yet, but I will add it to the list of possibilities, thank you.

@BUMCHEESE - your username made me genuinely LOL. My sense of smell is definitely more sensitive, and that's definitely why I could tell it's changed and got stronger. I live alone, so I don't really have anyone to ask unless I go and ask me mum time I see her.

@WhyamIinahandcartandwherearewegoing - Mitchum used to be my fave, but it stopped working. 😭

@wominzy - I'm'm 48, and honestly running out of patience with me own body. Why do they have to be so ridiculous?

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. If I've missed anyone, I do apologise, it's just I think my brain has been replaced with a BLANCMANGE. 🫠

OP posts:
WobblyBoots · 21/08/2025 19:07

Igottissues · 21/08/2025 18:54

I’ve had this on / off since my 20s and mine is always the right one too.
Left pit smells all fresh and fragrant, right pit smells of actual arse (well, arse mixed with onions to be exact 🤢)!
I’d never even considered your ‘not applying properly with the left hand’ theory…but now you’ve got me seriously wondering 🤔

Show quote history

I'd love it if I solved this for you 😂 Get ambidextrous with that roll on and report back!

Igottissues · 21/08/2025 18:54

WobblyBoots · 21/08/2025 17:49

I have had this on and off for years. I'm probably peri now but have had it since my 30s. I don't have a solution!

The only thing that helps me is using pitrock or another salt based deodorant (not the natural block ones with scent like Wild or Fussy). Using soap in the shower rather than shower gel. If a top ends up smelling badly I was it in Halo (antibacterial washing liquid) and it usually goes. If not, the top is binned as once it smells it's a bit of a vicious circle.

Which pit is it!? Mine is my right and I wondered if I was applying the deodorant poorly with my left hand! Can't be though. Urgh.

Edited

I’ve had this on / off since my 20s and mine is always the right one too.
Left pit smells all fresh and fragrant, right pit smells of actual arse (well, arse mixed with onions to be exact 🤢)!
I’d never even considered your ‘not applying properly with the left hand’ theory…but now you’ve got me seriously wondering 🤔

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 21/08/2025 18:46

I had this but thankfully it seems to have improved, unfortunately other perimenopause symptoms have taken its place 🤦‍♀️

wominzy · 21/08/2025 18:32

What age are you OP? I was reading with horror here recently about a thing called the "old people smell" and at 68 I was contortioning myself to get a sniff of the pits. Jesus Mary and the wee donkey, is there anything us women don't have to flippin suffer?

I'm taking note of all the suggestions in case I need them, but I remember reading that Persimmon soap is good for the old people aroma. Not saying you are as ancient as me, but it could be worth a try. I have it on standby 😊

Muffsies · 21/08/2025 18:24

soupyspoon · 21/08/2025 18:00

What a thing to ask someone menopausal, who probably has the rage almost constantly, when she has stated this clearly already in her OP

You're going to set her armpit off with a question like that.

Show quote history

🤣 she can take it up with me if she likes, but I'll literally have forgotten what the beef is like 5 seconds later..

WhyamIinahandcartandwherearewegoing · 21/08/2025 18:23

My pits went nuts in peri. Out went the Wild natural deodorant and in came the nuclear option Mitchum. Problem solved.

BUMCHEESE · 21/08/2025 18:21

Do other people say it smells?

Apparently our sense of smell gets more sensitive too during peri

So it might not be as awful as you think it is

Waitingfordoggo · 21/08/2025 18:19

I’ve had issues with this on and off- since way before peri.

Have you tried Driclor? That is the only stuff that worked for me. It is HARDCORE though- if your armpits are even slightly damp when you apply it, it stings/burns like a mofo. Brilliant stuff though- it made a huge difference for me. I haven’t needed it for years now and I just use the Dove solid deodorants which work very well for me most of the time.

Mumoftwoboysaged4and5 · 21/08/2025 18:19

I had this exact problem in both armpits and mumsnet saved me having to quit my job and live on a remote mountain! The advice I received was to only use roll-on deodorant (never spray) and to only wash with anti bacterial soap like dettol (never showergel!)

Both together cured the BO but it did take a couple of weeks to fully work.

Muffsies · 21/08/2025 18:19

Turboislander · 21/08/2025 18:11

My left armpit also went rogue for a while. What worked for me was actually acnecide facial wash (on my armpit obviously, not my face!!)

I've just been doing some googling and exfoliating agents like salicylic acid can help to slough off dead skin cells that help to harbour the oils and bacteria that cause the smell. This is an active ingredient in acne washes (alongside antibacterials). So it definitely sounds like this would work.

capybaracapybara · 21/08/2025 18:19

Botox! It’s an absolute godsend

BashfulClam · 21/08/2025 18:16

This happens to me a few days before my period. After showering I rub in hand sanitiser then anti perspirant. It seems to help!

Turboislander · 21/08/2025 18:11

My left armpit also went rogue for a while. What worked for me was actually acnecide facial wash (on my armpit obviously, not my face!!)

Hiptothisjive · 21/08/2025 18:10

This makes me laugh only for the reason as a foreigner it is a very common subject of conversation about how crap UK deodorants are and we all stock up when we go home.

I use Secret solid baby powder scent and it works really well. You can get it online and from Amazon.

Cat3059 · 21/08/2025 18:07

We use Trust deoderant, it was recommended on here and is really good.

DiscoBob · 21/08/2025 18:06

Omg I have exactly this! I didn't think to associate it with peri. But it's only happened over the last couple years.

I feel both my pits smell worse than they used to, but one is awful! Gets stinky much quicker and needs more scrubbing and deodorant?! I did break my shoulder 3 years ago which means I don't have as much movement in that arm.

Mine smells a bit like rotting onions?! Gross.

So hoping someone here has a clue what's going on! 🤣

Muffsies · 21/08/2025 18:02

Kellywiththelegs · 21/08/2025 17:52

She’s literally said she is in her post.

Show quote history

Oops, I'd better up mine, then 😅

soupyspoon · 21/08/2025 18:00

Muffsies · 21/08/2025 17:49

Are you on hrt op?

What a thing to ask someone menopausal, who probably has the rage almost constantly, when she has stated this clearly already in her OP

You're going to set her armpit off with a question like that.

Muffsies · 21/08/2025 18:00

zaazaazoom · 21/08/2025 17:54

I had this. Its stopped thank the lord.
I used real soap. Mitcham. Antibacterial hand gel a couple of times in the day. It will stop promise!

Antibac hand gel is a good, practical solution 👍

Muffsies · 21/08/2025 17:57

WobblyBoots · 21/08/2025 17:49

I have had this on and off for years. I'm probably peri now but have had it since my 30s. I don't have a solution!

The only thing that helps me is using pitrock or another salt based deodorant (not the natural block ones with scent like Wild or Fussy). Using soap in the shower rather than shower gel. If a top ends up smelling badly I was it in Halo (antibacterial washing liquid) and it usually goes. If not, the top is binned as once it smells it's a bit of a vicious circle.

Which pit is it!? Mine is my right and I wondered if I was applying the deodorant poorly with my left hand! Can't be though. Urgh.

Edited

I agree about the clothes washing! It's essential that any garment that get sweaty be either sprayed with an antibacterial before washing, or get washed in an antibac detergent.

I once helped a co-worker get himself out of the bad smelling clothes cycle. Your shirts might smell ok before you put them on, but the heat of your body can reactivate the bacteria and smell, until you give them a good soak in disinfectant.

zaazaazoom · 21/08/2025 17:54

I had this. Its stopped thank the lord.
I used real soap. Mitcham. Antibacterial hand gel a couple of times in the day. It will stop promise!