Body odor, also known as bromhidrosis, can be an embarrassing problem for many women going through menopause. Fluctuating hormone levels during this transition can cause excessive sweating and a stronger odor from sweat. The good news is there are many ways you can reduce body odor during menopause. Here we will discuss the causes of increased body odor during menopause and provide solutions to help you feel fresher.
What Causes Increased Body Odor During Menopause?
Body odor during menopause is often caused by the following factors:
– Hormone fluctuations – Declining estrogen levels can cause more sweat production and a change in sweat composition, making it more odorous.
– Hot flashes – The sudden sensation of heat and sweating can make body odor worse.
– Anxiety and stress – Menopause symptoms like mood changes, insomnia, and anxiety can increase sweating.
– Weight gain – Carrying extra weight, especially around the middle, can cause more heat and sweat production.
– Poor hygiene – Failing to regularly wash or change clothes can make body odor worse.
– Diet – Eating spicy foods, garlic, onions, and red meat can all impact odor.
– Smoking – Chemicals in cigarettes can be excreted through sweat.
– Medications – Some drugs may list increased sweating or body odor as a side effect.
Tips to Reduce Body Odor During Menopause
Here are some effective tips to help you stay fresher and reduce body odor during menopause:
Practice Good Hygiene
– Shower daily using an antibacterial soap, focusing on areas prone to sweat like the underarms, feet, and groin.
– Change clothes, especially underwear, daily.
– Avoid wearing the same outfit multiple days in a row without washing.
– Change pads/tampons frequently during your period.
– Wear clean socks and shoes, and avoid going barefoot.
– Apply deodorant/antiperspirant daily, reapplying as needed.
Use Moisture-Wicking Fabrics
– Wear loose, breathable clothing that allows sweat to evaporate.
– Choose natural fabrics like cotton, wool, silk, and linen.
– Avoid heavy fabrics that trap sweat against your skin like polyester.
– Wear moisture-wicking athletic clothing when exercising.
Apply Antiperspirants
– Use over-the-counter antiperspirants with ingredients like aluminum chloride, which plug sweat ducts.
– Apply antiperspirant at night so it has time to sink in and work while you sleep.
– Use clinical-strength antiperspirants for excessive sweating.
– Apply to clean skin so antiperspirant is most effective.
Avoid Triggers
– Stay in cool environments when possible and use fans/AC.
– Wear breathable clothing that doesn’t trap heat.
– Avoid spicy foods that may make you sweat more.
– Manage stress and anxiety through exercise, meditation, therapy.
– Maintain a healthy weight.
Use Absorbent Pads
– Use small absorbent underarm pads you can change out to absorb excess sweat/odor.
– Change pads 1-2 times a day or whenever damp.
– Carry extras when out running errands, traveling, etc.
Try Medications
– Ask a dermatologist about prescription antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride in higher strengths (15-20%).
– Oral medications like oxybutynin, glycopyrrolate, and propantheline can reduce sweating.
– Botox injections can be used to temporarily block sweat glands.
– Topical wipes like Qbrexza temporarily reduce underarm sweating.
Use Absorbent Powders
– Dust underarms, feet, and other prone areas with absorbent powder like talcum powder.
– Look for powder containing antibacterial ingredients to fight odor-causing bacteria.
– Carry travel size powder to reapply as needed when away from home.
Apply Deodorants
– Use deodorant without antiperspirant at night after showering so you don’t block sweat needed to flush pores overnight.
– Look for deodorants with odor-fighting ingredients like zinc oxide, potassium alum, and sodium bicarbonate.
– Apply deodorant to feet and groin area in addition to underarms.
Exfoliate Regularly
– Use a body scrub or loofah when bathing to remove dead skin cells and odor-causing bacteria.
– Exfoliate underarms, feet, and groin at least 2-3 times a week.
– Use a foot scrubber/file to slough off flaky skin on feet prone to sweating.
Stay Trim
– Excess weight can lead to increased sweat production and growth of odor-causing bacteria in skin folds.
– Losing even 5-10% of body weight can reduce sweating and body odor.
– Exercise regularly to boost metabolism, burn calories, and flush toxins through sweat.
Avoid Fabric Softener
– Fabric softeners and dryer sheets coat clothing fibers, trapping odors against your skin when worn.
– Use odor-fighting detergent and skip the fabric softener for reduced body odor.
– Add white vinegar or baking soda to the wash to help remove odors.
Watch Your Diet
– Avoid eating spicy, heavily seasoned foods that get excreted through sweat glands.
– Limit garlic, onions, curry, peppers, salsa, and Cajun seasoning which can cause odor.
– Reduce caffeine and alcohol which can increase sweating.
– Stay hydrated to flush toxins out through sweat.
See Your Doctor
– Have any excessive sweating or unexplained odors evaluated by your gynecologist or endocrinologist.
– Rule out underlying health conditions like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or hormone disorders.
– Discuss prescription strength treatments if over-the-counter options fail.
When to See a Doctor
You should contact your doctor if you experience:
– Sudden, severe, or unexplained body odor
– Odor accompanied by other symptoms like fever, weight loss, or skin changes
– No improvement despite good hygiene and over-the-counter products
– Excessive sweating disrupting sleep or daily activities
– Body odor impacting your self-esteem and quality of life
A doctor can rule out underlying conditions causing increased body odor and discuss stronger prescription treatments options to get you feeling fresh again.
Prescription Treatment Options
If over-the-counter antiperspirants are not effective enough, your doctor may recommend:
Oral Medications
– Anticholinergics like glycopyrrolate or oxybutynin pills reduce overall body sweating by blocking acetylcholine.
– Commonly used for hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).
– Side effects include dry mouth, constipation, blurry vision, drowsiness.
Iontophoresis
– Device passes mild electric current through water to temporarily plug sweat glands.
– Typically used on hands and feet but can be used underarms.
– No systemic side effects.
Botox Injections
– Botox injections block the nerves that stimulate sweat glands.
– Takes effect in 1-2 weeks and lasts 3-6 months per treatment.
– Use underarms, palms, soles of feet.
– Little to no systemic side effects.
MiraDry
– Permanently destroys underarm sweat and odor glands using thermal energy.
– One or two treatments.
– Minimal downtime or side effects.
– Not reversible.
Anticholinergic Creams
– Creams with ingredients like aluminum chloride plug sweat ducts when applied topically.
– Often prescribed in higher strengths than OTC formulas.
– Apply strictly to problem areas overnight.
– Can cause skin irritation.
When to Try Natural Remedies
Along with good hygiene, natural remedies can make excellent complementary treatments to reduce body odor and excessive sweating during menopause. Try the following options:
Apple Cider Vinegar
The acidic ACV helps kill odor-causing bacteria. It also closes pores to reduce sweating.
– Add to bath water or dilute and apply to underarms.
– Soak feet to combat odor.
Sage
Sage is an antiperspirant and also fights bacteria growth.
– Make a strong sage tea and apply using cotton pads.
– Add sage essential oil to your deodorant, soap, body spray.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a powerful antibacterial and antifungal.
– Add several drops to your bath, body wash, lotion, etc.
– Apply diluted oil directly to problem areas.
Coconut Oil
Contains lauric acid to kill bacteria and reduce odor. Its soothing properties also reduce sweating.
– Apply directly as a moisturizing deodorant.
– Add to DIY deodorant recipes.
Baking Soda
Baking soda neutralizes odors and absorbs moisture.
– Make homemade deodorant using baking soda.
– Sprinkle onto feet and shoes.
– Add to bath water.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice inhibits bacterial growth and whitens underarm skin.
– Rub lemon wedges or diluted juice on underarms.
– Drink lemon water to flush toxins.
Witch Hazel
An astringent that reduces sweating by constricting pores.
– Apply cotton pads soaked in witch hazel to underarms or feet.
– Add to a soothing body splash.
Activated Charcoal
Charcoal absorbs odors and toxins from the skin’s surface.
– Make a paste with water and apply to feet, underarms before showering.
– Look for deodorants containing charcoal.
Probiotics
Helps balance gut bacteria which reduces body odor.
– Take an oral probiotic supplement.
– Eat probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi.
When to Consider Clinical Strength Deodorant
If your body odor seems excessive despite good hygiene, consider trying an over-the-counter clinical strength deodorant. These contain higher concentrations of active ingredients to combat odor and wetness. Key features:
– Aluminum chloride levels between 15-20%
– Reduces underarm sweating up to 3 days
– Often unscented to avoid skin irritation
– May require nightly application on clean skin
– Brands like Certain Dri, Driclor, Maxim Prescription Strength
Clinical strength deodorants are safe for daily use for most people. Reduce application if any skin irritation develops. Try it for 2-4 weeks to see maximum results. If you don’t see improvement, seek evaluation by your healthcare provider.
Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Body Odor
Making healthy lifestyle adjustments can also improve body odor during menopause:
– Don’t smoke – chemicals in cigarettes come out in sweat.
– Exercise regularly – sweating removes toxins and bacteria.
– Drink plenty of water – flushes odor-causing toxins out.
– Reduce stress – anxiety and nerves increase sweating.
– Wear breathable cotton and wool fabrics.
– Sleep on cotton sheets and change them frequently.
– Open windows and use fans to stay cool and dry.
– Avoid highly fragranced soaps, lotions that mask odors.
– Trim underarm hair – trapped moisture breeds bacteria.
When to Consider Laser Hair Removal
Excess underarm hair can trap sweat and bacteria leading to increased body odor. Removing underarm hair through laser hair removal can help reduce excessive odor issues.
Benefits of laser hair removal:
– Permanently reduces amount of armpit hair.
– Eliminates hair that traps sweat and odor-causing bacteria.
– Quicker and longer-lasting than shaving or waxing.
– Reduces irritation from shaving and ingrown hairs.
– Takes 4-6 treatments for permanent hair reduction.
Consider laser hair removal if you have:
– Thick or excessive underarm hair
– Chronic odor issues and poor response to deodorants
– Ingrown hairs, bumps, or irritation from shaving
– Time and budget for multiple treatments
– Realistic expectations – 100% permanent hair removal usually isn’t achieved
When to Consider Botox for Excessive Sweating
Botox injections are a safe, effective treatment for severe underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis). Botox can significantly:
– Reduce underarm sweat production
– Minimize body odor
– Improve clothing choices as you worry less about pit stains
Botox for hyperhidrosis:
– Covered by some insurance plans
– Involves 15-20 injections per underarm
– Takes effect in 1-2 weeks
– Lasts 6-9 months per treatment
– Minimal side effects – temporary pain, bruising at injection sites
Consider Botox if:
– Prescription antiperspirants are ineffective
– Sweating disrupts work, social life, sleep
– Willing to repeat injections 2-3 times per year
– Willing to pay out of pocket if insurance won’t cover
Botox should not be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Discuss the pros and cons with your dermatologist or healthcare provider.
Should I shave my armpits during menopause?
Here are some pros and cons of shaving your armpits during menopause:
Pros:
– Removes hair that can trap sweat and bacteria causing more odor
– Allows deodorant and antiperspirant to contact skin better
– Provides a smoother look if you prefer less underarm hair
Cons:
– Can cause bumps, irritation, and ingrown hairs making odor worse
– Need to shave frequently to avoid stubbly regrowth
– Grows back quicker than other hair removal methods
– Can worsen skin dryness during menopause
Consider shaving if you don’t mind doing it frequently and take steps to prevent irritation like exfoliating and using a moisturizing shave gel. Alternatively, try waxing or depilatories that remove hair for longer periods. Laser hair removal can permanently reduce armpit hair but requires multiple treatments.
Conclusion
Coping with increased body odor can be frustrating during menopause, but there are many effective solutions. Be diligent about hygiene, choose moisture-wicking clothing, and apply clinical strength antiperspirant. Prescription medications and procedures like Botox can also help in severe cases. Making positive lifestyle changes and using odor-fighting natural remedies provides extra protection. Speak with your healthcare provider if body odor is greatly impacting your quality of life for personalized treatment advice. With the right combination of medical and natural approaches, you can stay fresh all day long through menopause and beyond.