Peri-menopause and body odour

[NotVeryOldForASweatyBird]

Is this a thing?!

I think I'm entering peri-menopause. Terrible night sweats. And (whereas I've never previously had a particular problem with BO before) I find I'm getting really smelly.

I'm showering daily and using the same good/reliable deodorant that I've always used. But I guess the deo only covers my underarms, so I wonder if it's other parts of my body (my chest and under-boobs - which never used to be especially sweaty, but really are now) that are creating the smell...?

Just curious whether:

A) others of you have had BO problems during peri-menopause

B) you have any tips to solve this (aside from showering twice+ daily and using up a whole deodorant every day!)

C) you have any advice more generally. This whole peri-menopause thing is new to me, and I don't think most of my friends will be going through that yet as I'm quite young for it... (not quite 40 yet.)

Thank you (and please be nice)!

It definitely is a thing. I went from not even needing deodorant to, well, needing it. Good news is I went back to normal about a year later.Sucks though along with all the other symptoms.

Thanks @BringMeTea, appreciate your response. A year later when the BO stopped, were you still pre-menopausal, or was that when you hit menopause itself?

Well I think it's kind of all peri really as you are post menopausal after your periods stop and stay stopped for a year. So it was during the peri years that I developed, and then also ceased to have, stronger body odour. I guess it's all that oestrogen leaving the building! Hope this helps.

Yes me too it was one of the first things I noticed. I had to change my deoderant that I had used for years. The only thing that works and stops the BO us a roll on one...Carex I use now

Add me to this... 44, night sweats, day sweats. Shower daily, underarm wash at night.
As well as usual shower cream on a puff thingy I use a bar of soap for good soapy measure, and make certain I'm fully dried before anti-perspirant. This has been happening on and off for about a year.
I take the mini pill and have polycystic ovaries so no periods for years.
You're not alone op!

Thanks ladies! I use a roll-on anyway but I'll try Carex

I definitely noticed this and I haven’t had night sweats yet. I never used to be able to smell myself so it was a big shock the first time I caught a whiff - that being said I haven’t noticed anything particularly over the hot weather so perhaps a phase I’ve now passed through. I definitely use bar soap now not shower gel and Mitchum deodorant for days I want to be extra certain.

Natural fibres, showering twice a day. Watch out for other peri symptoms, anxiety, insomnia, dryness...stuff you might not expect. As you are only young you might want to check out hrt, it protects your bones from osteoporosis caused by falling oestrogen.

There’s a v good menopause board in health and also website menopause matters. I started peri at 37 I wish I’d known more about it.

I definitely had to change from regular deodorant to stronger ones. I could do with something like Mitchum or stronger but my skin is too sensitive and they cause rashes and itching. The only stronger one I can use is Sure (the one in the cardboard box that costs £5 ) which just about keeps me whiff free. Other than pits I’m no stinkier anywhere else though even though I sweat generally far more now.

Does anybody have itchy skin, mine is mainly on an evening. I start feeling itchy on one part of body then when that calms down within minutes another part starts.
Started taking an allergy relief tablet and that works.
I'm 52 and got the mirena coil so had no periods for 8 yrs and just presume I could be starting menopause. Don't really want to go to doctors at the moment cos they are only seeing urgent cases which mine isn't

Humberbear. I never had the itching though drier skin generally. Also, if you have mirena is it possible you are now post menopausal without knowing it?
OP yes, bar soap really truly makes a big difference as pp have said. If you don't already, definitely switch. My symptoms started at about your age too but I had no idea what it was. I had a fairly early meno and it was a bit of a shock tbh. It's great you're aware and researching at this stage. Good luck!

Thank you all. I'll try bar soap. Any specific recommendations? (Last time I used bar soap was the 1980s and it was Imperial Leather.)

I use Sure roll-on at present but will check out Mitchum.

Yes I'll keep an eye out for other symptoms too - thanks.

My top tip is that if you sleep under a duvet, swap it for a cotton top sheet with a blanket on top (if it's colder). I had awful night sweats when I had a duvet, switched to a cotton sheet instead and it stopped. Stayed at someone's house prior to lockdown and slept under a duvet there, woke up drenched again.

Freezer blocks wrapped in a towel are a godsend for me despite the fact we are lucky enough to have air con. I also take antihistamine for itching and I had to change my antipersperant for Mitcham ( home bargains or Poundland do good deals) Definitely have become oversensitive and cry at the drop of a hat.

I'm not sure I'm peri as I have had night sweats for years and a baby in that time.

I stink when i wake up. It's like vinegar ( yuk!) Crystal deodorants work well and last forever. Just wipe it over wet skin after a bath everywhere that gets sweaty and Mitchum for under arms.

I like to use Dove soap as it's not as drying on my skin, but try whatever you like the smell of! Home sense or TK maxx do fancier boxed ones. I love soaps that smell clean, not sweet and not overly floral.

Lots of great tips - thank you!

I use liquid soap (not shower gel) which is antibacterial and then a strong roll on.

I found the main culprit was my clothes. I couldn't wear any fitted tops with sleeves for years. I had to go for sleeveless or very baggy stuff. I also used halo washing liquid for sports clothes which helped.

I did read that using bicarb on clothes helped shift the smell but it didn't seem to work for me.

For a few years I just had to sometimes give up on some tops and t shirts and throw them away because they'd start smelling a few minutes after I put them on but it has stopped again now.

It's grim. You have my sympathy.