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Original poster

Does anyone else “smell” … funny?😳

506 replies

BruceLeTerror · 06/09/2025 19:06

When I was a kid, the loo always smelled “funny” after my DMum had used it.

Fast forward 40 years, now I’m smelling that smell when I use the loo (or just on/about me in general)

I can’t describe it 😳

Am 48 - guess Mum would have been similar age at the time?

FWIW I shower every day and wash at other end of the day

tia 🙏

OP posts:
Thread gallery
14
soupyspoon · 07/09/2025 12:59

I take magnesium supplements, again quite a high level, is that something that can protect against it?

Calliopespa · 07/09/2025 12:59

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 07/09/2025 12:56

I'm assuming that it's not the pee per se, it's maybe the exposure of the 'bits' to the air? I'm on Gina pessaries for VA and I've not noticed any toilet smells (any different to the usual toilet smells, that is). I am regularly sniffing my wrists and elbows to see if I've acquired 'old lady smell' yet and am now paranoid that I will start to but not notice it, as most old ladies of my acquaintance don't seem aware that they have it.

There is, of course, the smell of Tena Lady and other such protections, which tend to have a floral type of scent, a la scented sanitary products, to add to the mix.

"the mix".

Shall we call it the meno bouquet?

soupyspoon · 07/09/2025 13:00

I also thought I read somewhere that you cant always smell it as you age, part of the aging process is that for some reason you lose the ability to smell the particular noenal smell.

Tobethornottobethhatistheupton · 07/09/2025 13:01

I eat blueberries most days and still have the wee smell. I’ll try upping my dark chocolate intake 😁.

It is the urine itself, not the exposed body parts that smells @Vroomfondleswaistcoat

Calliopespa · 07/09/2025 13:02

soupyspoon · 07/09/2025 12:59

I take magnesium supplements, again quite a high level, is that something that can protect against it?

Someone upthread mentioned magnesium as being helpful.

I noticed because that immediately made me think "dark chocolate."

I mean, I wouldn't touch the stuff were it not for these antioxidant and mineral benefits you understand! It's also a useful source of iron, so I feel duty-bound to pop it in the groceries really: it's only sensible.

Calliopespa · 07/09/2025 13:03

soupyspoon · 07/09/2025 13:00

I also thought I read somewhere that you cant always smell it as you age, part of the aging process is that for some reason you lose the ability to smell the particular noenal smell.

A brilliant double whammy by that old trickster Mother Nature.

Tobethornottobethhatistheupton · 07/09/2025 13:04

I’ve recently started taking magnesium for sleep, it would be great if it works for this too

soupyspoon · 07/09/2025 13:22

Calliopespa · 07/09/2025 13:02

Someone upthread mentioned magnesium as being helpful.

I noticed because that immediately made me think "dark chocolate."

I mean, I wouldn't touch the stuff were it not for these antioxidant and mineral benefits you understand! It's also a useful source of iron, so I feel duty-bound to pop it in the groceries really: it's only sensible.

Show quote history

Im a bit worried about the anti oxidant thing because I cant eat in volume and fruit gives me acid so I dont eat any fruit. Vegetables I can eat some of, again some of my favourites give me acid like peppers and tomatoes. Is there any supplements I can take for anti oxidants.

And of course I will try the dark chocolate increase but unfortunately that also gives me acid

I eat a lot of nuts, I eat huge amounts of olives. I eat too much home made cake.

Needlesnah · 07/09/2025 13:22

Highlighta · 07/09/2025 07:27

So, I can't find persimmon soap in my country. Neither Sharon fruit soap as that is what it's called here. The only option seemingly is to order via Temu 😏

So anyone know what the next best option would be? My thoughts are something citrussy, we do get mandarin, orange and every other kind of fruity options.

There a few Japanese manufacturers- if you’re anywhere in SE Asia etc you might find a bar in a specialist Japanese supermarket or store.

SwedishEdith · 07/09/2025 13:23

soupyspoon · 07/09/2025 13:00

I also thought I read somewhere that you cant always smell it as you age, part of the aging process is that for some reason you lose the ability to smell the particular noenal smell.

One of the key reasons to have kids: "Mum, you stink!"

Needlesnah · 07/09/2025 13:36

lowlight · 07/09/2025 11:09

Is it your urine? are you dehydrated?

Yes it’s the urine and No - it’s not dehydration. It’s very different to that.
It’s distinctive in the way that asparagus wee is distinctive and no one would confuse that with dehydration. For reference I drink 2 litres of water day, not counting a couple of coffees. I’ve recently started noticing it. I’m fit (I’m a runner), I eat very well, I have no health issues not attributed to peri menopause. Of which there seem to be plenty…

I’ve also just started progesterone so I’m hoping that helps! Although I may have ordered the persimmon soap…

Also not the same as the ‘old person’ smell which is an all over body odour that is in men and women after a certain age. Although I have also read an article about eating mushrooms helping with that so I plan to up my mushroom intake when I need to!

nonumbersinthisname · 07/09/2025 13:45

I’m so glad I finally clicked on this thread in trending - took me a day as I thought it was going to be the work of a troll, but as it’s still here I thought I’d have a look.

I’m mid-fifties and have the sweet smelling wee (urine tested and fine). I’ve also started night time sweats which occur all over me, but worst around my groin and thighs. They make my sheets smell weird after a day or so. I’ll probably get judged by the MN cleanliness crowd but I’m not up to changing my bedding every day so I just put up with it and change weekly as normal. It’s not a sweaty smell, and it’s not a wee smell, the closest I can describe it is a stronger variation on my clean intimate smell. I don’t mind it to be honest.

DM started getting whiffy as she aged but it was incontinence related, and I had a good enough relationship with her that I could tell her and ask what I could do to help. Ended up buying her different brands of incontinence pads and pants until she found one she liked.

Northquit · 07/09/2025 14:27

Bloody hell that soap is dear!

selfcheck · 07/09/2025 14:46

Highlighta · 07/09/2025 07:27

So, I can't find persimmon soap in my country. Neither Sharon fruit soap as that is what it's called here. The only option seemingly is to order via Temu 😏

So anyone know what the next best option would be? My thoughts are something citrussy, we do get mandarin, orange and every other kind of fruity options.

Cidal or Dettol

justasking111 · 07/09/2025 14:59

Alondra · 07/09/2025 11:19

You are not wrong, OP. As we age we develop "smells" never noticeable when we were younger.

Think about it this way. Do babies smell a certain way? Most of us know they do. As babies grow older that particular smell disappears and small children, teenagers, and young people smell very little.

The older we get, hormonal changes and the natural degradation of fatty acids make our body odour stronger. It has nothing to do with showering and cleanliness, it's the natural degradation of our bodies as we age./

Two of my three teenage sons absolutely stank, I had yellowed sheets, had to throw out a mattress and duvets. They were always in the shower.

itsmeafterall · 07/09/2025 15:06

I smelt of dried eggs when I was going through menopause. No amount of showering or perfume covered it. Grim.

justasking111 · 07/09/2025 15:09

No-one has mentioned the itching??

My GP and I tried to fix it I must have tried the full repertoire of creams and lotions. Estriol helps with the atrophy but not the itch.

TheAverageJoanne · 07/09/2025 15:13

Goodness me I have to look forward to a funky foofoo.

bumbaloo · 07/09/2025 15:36

SecretRoses45 · 06/09/2025 19:14

The body starts to breakdown as you age and releases a fusty kind of smell. It’s a compound in the skin called 2-nonenal. Washing with persimmon soap can help with this.

2-nonenal is in the skin though. It’s not specifically released when someone goes to the loo.
OP are you meaning when they poop Tracy time they go to the loo?

DeeKitch · 07/09/2025 15:37

bumbaloo · 07/09/2025 15:36

2-nonenal is in the skin though. It’s not specifically released when someone goes to the loo.
OP are you meaning when they poop Tracy time they go to the loo?

Show quote history

Tracy lol

my phone always corrects with to either 🤣

bumbaloo · 07/09/2025 15:40

SuperSue77 · 07/09/2025 12:55

So, do you use the Permisson soap to wash "between your legs"? I always just use water there because I thought soap disrupted the ph there and caused problems.

But I too have succumbed to the "mum smell" and my kids comment on it if they go into the loo after me! Think I will get me some (and some bio-kult) but need to check I am using it right! I will avoid the back area after a previous comment! I've not had any issues using regular soap there!

people are so confused about how to wash their genitals.

the no soap rule is for the vagina. The vagina is self cleansing as it has a constant flow of secretions a bit like saliva. the vagina has a balanced pH.

the vulva should be washed with soap. There is no magical self cleaning mechanism to clean the vulva.

vagina = inside body
vulva = everything outside the body. All the skin and folds around the vaginal opening. There is no mystical pH to worry about disturbing here

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 07/09/2025 15:41

Sameasever · 07/09/2025 09:46

I had this for a while. It was really horrible. My skin smelt like musty house. Even if I had just had a bath and washed all over, if I sniffed my arm it would have a strong unpleasant scent. I couldn’t wash it off! It did go when I went on HRT.

I’m on HRT which could be why I’m confused. My wee definitely smells strong sometimes but I know that’s when I am dehydrated. I asked my partner if I smell weird this morning and he just gave me a 😵‍💫 look. I don’t think I smell weird but I might not be the best person to judge.

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 07/09/2025 15:45

I’m now thinking of my mother and she is in her eighties and doesn’t smell. She’s never smelt and I used to be round her all the time at the ages we are focussing. My dad definitely started to smell old before he passed but I know he rarely washed his hair and I assumed it was that.

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 07/09/2025 15:54

I don’t think it is wee. I think it’s from the entire area, trapped by our clothes, released as use the toilet. Only noticeable in confined spaces like bathrooms.

cheesycheesy · 07/09/2025 16:02

No wonder some people pong if they aren’t cleaning properly between their legs.