In a word, Yes! I have definitely noticed what you have.
I would love to read that article as well. Did it suggest why, or offer insight?
I thought I was the only one too! I didn't notice this change in perimenopause, but once I was through menopause itself I noticed a definite change. And it seemed that I needed to take twice as many showers as I had before.
Turns out that hormonal changes that occur both during puberty and around menopause affect the sweat glands in the armpits and groin area and can create real body odor problems. Some women change anti-perspirants; others avoid synthentic fabrics (natural fabrics allow the body to "breathe" more; still others change their diets, adding pro-biotic yogurt or eliminating fried or spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine in attempts to help this problem.
Our falling levels of estrogen appear to be a primary culprit. Estrogen helps regulate the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls body temperature; when estrogen levels drop, the hypothalamus gets the wrong message and heats the body inappropriately -- as in hot flashes or night sweats. Even when this happens to a small degree, that extra moisture has an effect.
This is where anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that isn't in contact with oxygen) come into the picture. They apparently flourish in the bodies of those of us who are menopausal, and are odor-creating champions when they present themselves to the outside world, through sweat or our breath. As the body rids itself of waste products (toxins), it can give off odors; imbalances in hormones or metabolism can result in those odors being even stronger. Here's a good explanation of how this takes place:
Sweat itself has no smell. Looks like we need to work on the bacteria to make a real difference.
Go Ask Alice, a website run by Columbia University, offers these tips to combat menopausal body odor:
--Shower daily with deodorant soap that has antibacterial properties
--Use deodorant or deodorant/antiperspirant daily
--Wear cotton and other "breathable" fabrics. Some synthetic fabrics used in workout clothing is also "breathable" because it wicks sweat away from your skin.
--Eat a balanced diet with plenty of veggies and whole grains, and limited sweets
--Cut tobacco out of your life
--Take chlorophyll or wheat grass supplements (natural body deodorizers) with meals
--Add magnesium or zinc through vitamins or a balanced diet
--Chew on parsley, alfalfa, or other leafy greens after means to help neutralize strong scents
--Apply witch hazel, or white or apple cider vinegar to your underarms (which change the pH of the skin so that bacteria can't grow)
--Dust perpetually sweaty areas with corn starch to reduce wetness
--Apply diluted rosemary or tea tree oil to the underarms for extra deodorizing action
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/3645.html
There are some other problems that can cause overactive body odor: an infection, a thyroid that's not functioning properly, or diabetes, for example. So don't forget to mention this to your doctor; she or he may want to be sure there's nothing larger going on.
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Is this affecting your life as well? Are you menopausal, and how long have you noticed it? Have you found something that helps?
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In a word, Yes! I have definitely noticed what you have.
I would love to read that article as well. Did it suggest why, or offer insight?
I thought I was the only one too! I didn't notice this change in perimenopause, but once I was through menopause itself I noticed a definite change. And it seemed that I needed to take twice as many showers as I had before.
Turns out that hormonal changes that occur both during puberty and around menopause affect the sweat glands in the armpits and groin area and can create real body odor problems. Some women change anti-perspirants; others avoid synthentic fabrics (natural fabrics allow the body to "breathe" more; still others change their diets, adding pro-biotic yogurt or eliminating fried or spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine in attempts to help this problem.
Our falling levels of estrogen appear to be a primary culprit. Estrogen helps regulate the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls body temperature; when estrogen levels drop, the hypothalamus gets the wrong message and heats the body inappropriately -- as in hot flashes or night sweats. Even when this happens to a small degree, that extra moisture has an effect.
This is where anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that isn't in contact with oxygen) come into the picture. They apparently flourish in the bodies of those of us who are menopausal, and are odor-creating champions when they present themselves to the outside world, through sweat or our breath. As the body rids itself of waste products (toxins), it can give off odors; imbalances in hormones or metabolism can result in those odors being even stronger. Here's a good explanation of how this takes place:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sweating-and-body-odor/DS00305/DSECTION=causes
Sweat itself has no smell. Looks like we need to work on the bacteria to make a real difference.
Go Ask Alice, a website run by Columbia University, offers these tips to combat menopausal body odor:
--Shower daily with deodorant soap that has antibacterial properties
--Use deodorant or deodorant/antiperspirant daily
--Wear cotton and other "breathable" fabrics. Some synthetic fabrics used in workout clothing is also "breathable" because it wicks sweat away from your skin.
--Eat a balanced diet with plenty of veggies and whole grains, and limited sweets
--Cut tobacco out of your life
--Take chlorophyll or wheat grass supplements (natural body deodorizers) with meals
--Add magnesium or zinc through vitamins or a balanced diet
--Chew on parsley, alfalfa, or other leafy greens after means to help neutralize strong scents
--Apply witch hazel, or white or apple cider vinegar to your underarms (which change the pH of the skin so that bacteria can't grow)
--Dust perpetually sweaty areas with corn starch to reduce wetness
--Apply diluted rosemary or tea tree oil to the underarms for extra deodorizing action
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/3645.html
There are some other problems that can cause overactive body odor: an infection, a thyroid that's not functioning properly, or diabetes, for example. So don't forget to mention this to your doctor; she or he may want to be sure there's nothing larger going on.
Tell Us
December 16, 2008 - 10:20amIs this affecting your life as well? Are you menopausal, and how long have you noticed it? Have you found something that helps?
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