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Original poster

BO suddenly at 39 - mortified!!

42 replies

SuzieBishop · 22/12/2022 07:23

I’m just wondering if anyone’s gone through the same thing - the past couple of days I’ve realised I could smell myself, sweaty BO smell through the day. This has never happened before - I had to come straight home from work yesterday and the day before and jump in the shower and then had another shower in the mornings because I’m paranoid! I’ve just turned 39-is it something that comes with getting older? I haven’t change my deodorant, normally I have a shower every couple of days and am fine smell wise. I don’t have an active job, I sit in an office and it’s not like I’m running around all day as I drop the kids off at school & nursery before I go to work and then pick them up.
thanks for any advice x

OP posts:
RebeccaCloud9 · 22/12/2022 07:26

Firstly, shower every day. Make sure you really clean your underarms effectively - scrub away any build up (some deos take some scrubbing!)

Over the years, I've found that sometimes certain deodorants stop working effectively for me so I change brand. I've found mitchum to be most effective.

RebeccaCloud9 · 22/12/2022 07:26
  • shower every morning
CCIH · 22/12/2022 07:29

Shave underarms regularly and agreed with PP - Mitchum is great

BarrelOfOtters · 22/12/2022 07:29

Probably hormones….peri menopause?

DontFeatureMeOnSocialMedia · 22/12/2022 07:30

I'm similar in age and noticed I recently started to pong. I searched on here and so many people recommended Mitchum deodorant. It has worked for me!

I think it might be something to do with peri menopause? I've got other niggling symptoms alongside this.

dementedpixie · 22/12/2022 07:32

What antiperspirant do you use?
Some sanex ones are now just deodorant rather than antiperspirant.

Shower daily. I like the sure or dove maximum creams that come in a box

Billybagpuss · 22/12/2022 07:32

Are you feeling poorly? Fever could cause it.

Or, welcome to your 40s and the joy that isn’t peri-menopause

Goneblank38 · 22/12/2022 07:33

Same happened to me. Mitchum unscented deo has been a lifesaver.

user1487194234 · 22/12/2022 07:33

I had this,was linked to peri
Someone advised soap rather than shower gel and that really worked

shuuush · 22/12/2022 07:33

Peri menopause - good luck.

Original poster
SuzieBishop · 22/12/2022 07:36

Honestly I’m so relieved it’s not just me - so I have been ill, had a sore throat but I’m out the other side. I will be driving straight to the shop on my lunch break to get some Mitchum! I’ve used Sure for years and years.
ive never heard of peri menopause- I’ll do some googling! Thanks all, you saved my anxious mind! X

OP posts:
SmiteTheeWithThunderbolts · 22/12/2022 07:36

Some people say they experience that when menopausal (or peri) so it can be age related.

Do you use a roll-on or stick deodorant? Sometimes sweat bacteria gets on to the surface and transfers back to you, so try wiping the surface with a tissue.

Wash underarms with soap not shower gel. Washing is fine, it doesn't have to be a full shower. But really lather up and vigorously wash the area.

If you get sweat build up on your clothes, try spraying on white vinegar or an antibacterial liquid in the washing machine.

KatherineJaneway · 22/12/2022 07:37

Are you sure it is you that smell and not your clothes? I have found certain materials and pieces of clothing I have can start to smell regardless of washing at 40 after wearing. I bought Dettol laundry cleanser and used it on the pits if these items. Worked wonders.

trailerandtractor · 22/12/2022 07:38

Showering every couple of days- yuk!
Wash more regularly, use soap instead of shower gel (if that’s what you use) and change deodorant, using something for too long can cause the product to become ineffective.

starrynight21 · 22/12/2022 07:39

You can get BO without being active - it is caused by bacteria build up, not running around. So a shower every day is the idea, and change your deodorant every few months.

KatherineJaneway · 22/12/2022 07:40

I just clocked the showering every few days. I take my advice back, wash more frequently.

Beanbagtrap · 22/12/2022 07:41

I find this on my period. I've found mitchum+ washing with proper soap in any sweaty bits+ properly washing clothes. It surprising how much stink can build up on clothes, I have to ensure anything that DH and I have made at all stinky goes in a hot wash with biological powder. Washing at 30 with non bio just does not cut it.

laurelbee · 22/12/2022 07:42

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

PeaceJoySleep · 22/12/2022 07:43

You're a bit young for peri meno.
I'd say it was the fever.
At about 47 I did start to smell myself occasionally. It wasn't all the time though.

Original poster
SuzieBishop · 22/12/2022 07:44

I didn’t shower every few days @KatherineJaneway - few to me is 3 or 4 days. Every second day I showered.
Thank you to all of you that have been nice.
This is why I hardly ever post on here anymore because you just want advice but someone always has to be mean.
have a good day and Christmas everyone.

OP posts:
Beanbagtrap · 22/12/2022 07:46

I think as an adult and wearing probably synthetic fibres you need to shower daily, with soap.

dementedpixie · 22/12/2022 07:47

I didn't rate Mitchum tbh and if its the roll on it takes forever to dry

laurelbee · 22/12/2022 07:48

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

KatherineJaneway · 22/12/2022 07:54

SuzieBishop · 22/12/2022 07:44

I didn’t shower every few days @KatherineJaneway - few to me is 3 or 4 days. Every second day I showered.
Thank you to all of you that have been nice.
This is why I hardly ever post on here anymore because you just want advice but someone always has to be mean.
have a good day and Christmas everyone.

Apologies OP, I didn't intend to be mean. Every few days to means 3 or 4 days. If you said every other day, that would have been clearer to me.

dementedpixie · 22/12/2022 07:55

Some people do sweat less than others and maybe don't need to shower daily.

I am not one of those people and am paranoid about being smelly. I shower in the morning and then if I do a gym class I shower again. I am peri menopausal and use soap in the shower and sure maximum cream antiperspirant