Sense of smell changing with age/hormones. Particularly perfume!!

[AnnaKing81]

Has anyone noticed their sense of smell change as they've hit the peri-menopausal age??

Most of my favourite perfumes smell like cat squirt!! I'm devastated!

Also stuff like clothes powder and cleaner.

I thought I had something wring with me, apparently people I know have experienced this too!!

My sense of smell is intermittently stronger since peri begin. Like when I was pregnant actually. If I start smelling, say the reed diffuser in our lounge, I just know I'm getting a period shortly.
Perfume now gives me a banging headache where it didn't before. This is perfume when I'm wearing by the way.

Totally. Up to the menopause I only liked spicy woody perfumes. Now I’m the complete opposite and wear floral, sweeter scents. The ones I used to loathe!

My sense of smell has completely changed! I am so happy to find other people that mention it, thought I was going insane or had a mad form of covid where your sense of smell completely changes forever instead of going away for a bit.

Living rurally the thing I've noticed most is the smell of 'spreading' is completely different, and onions and leeks. Cannot stand to be near a lot of mens body sprays either.

I’ve noticed it too! My husband actually asked if I was pregnant. My normal perfumes smell horrible and I gag at so many food smells.

I always loved Chanel Mademoiselle but since I had my DD 4 years ago I cannot abide any perfume on me and if others near me are wearing it it can be hard to be too near them!
Think I'm definitely in Peri as that's one of many symptoms I have to add to the ever growing list!!
Itchy skin even though I haven't changed my washing powder...

I feel like my sense of smell has disappeared! I can't even smell my own foists breath

I'm dealing with this situation also. I believe over 4 years. I've complained to my primary care physician, and he really doesn't understand. It's so bad that I ended up visiting and ENT and paid out of pocket. Was told I have a nose infection and was giving antibiotics. Nothing has changed and I feel miserable and anxious. The ENT wants me to get an MRI and he even told me in his years as an ENT I'm his second patient. I only have Medicaid and I now have to have my primary doctor submit the authorization. Honestly, I really not comfortable with the MRI. There has to be another situation. I'm praying this isn't permanent because my anxiety is completely out of control. I know feel I need a psychologist.

Interesting, maybe that’s why many older women prefer floral?

I can only tolerate citrus. Everything else makes me feel nauseous.

Have you go to an ENT?

I have the headache from floral scents/ most perfumes now too. What the hell is up with that. I can't stand to be in crowded places often as its overpowering to me. I really wish people didn't wear perfume. I know I can't say anything but it feels assaulting to me.

It's really difficult. Washing liquids etc are as bad as perfume.
I did get this occasionally in pregnancy but for food smells, especially toast and certain fridge contents, not scents.
How does it happen?

I used to collect perfume and was completely obsessed. I liked a wide range of fragrance types. This completely changed in my early 40s.

Now, I can only wear light, clean smelling stuff. Anything sweet, spicy, woody or heavy in any way makes me feel sick and suffocated. I sold my perfume collection because of it.

I don't get headaches; I just feel like it's hard to breathe! I have good and bad days. However, since last week its out of control. It's so bad that I ended up visiting an ENT and paid out of pocket. I was told I have a nose infection from all the pollution. Also have on bone and some obstruction. He wants me to get an MRI done. I only have Medicaid and my primary doctor will have to submit the pre-authorization. I don't see him until July 15. I'm currently on antibiotics but haven't notice any improvement. I was disappointed being that the ENT told me I was his second patient in all of his years of practice. I just hope and pray this is temporary. I've been dealing with this for the last 4 years but never as strong as it is now.

Definitely noticed this. Started about 4 years ago, my husband and son’s deodorant made me feel sick. I couldn’t stand the smell of my moisturiser on my face. Hated the smell of onions and garlic cooking! Gradually is gone back to ‘normal’, but some things have changed for good!