Unpleasant odor during menopause in women: what causes it, how to get rid of it

How do hormonal changes lead to unpleasant odor in the vaginal area?

An unpleasant odor in the vaginal area may be due to a drop in estrogen levels

Several studies have confirmed that the cause of strong and unpleasant odor in the genital area may be hormonal changes associated with natural menopause. A decrease in estrogen levels during menopause causes the genital tissues to become thinner and the environment in this area to become less acidic. Many women going through menopause experience watery discharge with an unpleasant odor.

A drop in estrogen levels affects the production of epithelial tissue in the vagina, which often causes vaginal dryness. A lack of epithelium, whose acidic environment helps prevent infections, can also allow harmful bacteria to grow in the area. Both of these factors can result in different odors.

But there is another factor that should not be overlooked. Decreased estrogen levels can affect a woman's sense of taste and smell. This happens in much the same way as during pregnancy, when hormonal changes force a woman to like foods that she previously preferred not to eat, and to give up those dishes and foods that she really loved before pregnancy.

Hormonal changes can cause increased sensitivity to smell, not just taste. Therefore, if you think that you “smell a little,” then it’s very likely that no one around you notices.

Why does body odor change during menopause in women?

The fact that the body smells different with the onset of menopause is explained by hormonal imbalance and increased sweating. The sweat glands work especially intensively in the evening and at night. In addition to the fact that more sweat is produced than before, its composition changes. Metabolic processes during menopause do not proceed the same way as during the reproductive period.

The acid-base balance is disrupted, and this leads to a change in the pH of the skin. As a result, the surface of the skin and mucous membranes dries out. The appearance of odor during menopause in women is often caused by profuse sweating. For some women, the aroma is almost not felt, while for others the amber is quite noticeable, and the ladies themselves feel it and feel awkward.

Factors that contribute to increased bad odor during menopause:

• bad habits;
• the predominance of hot, spicy foods in the diet, including those rich in artificial additives;
• stress, nervous and physical overload;
• violation of the daily routine;
• prolonged exposure to heat or cold, in a dry or excessively humid room.

What causes unpleasant odor in the perineum and vaginal area?

Unpleasant odor in the perineum is usually associated with sweat gland secretions, vaginal secretions, or urine if a woman has uncontrollable leakage. Sweat gland secretions contain essentially the same components as urine, so urine odor in the vaginal area may be caused by sweat rather than uncontrolled urine loss.

Some people think urine smells like ammonia.

Many foods consumed by humans contain odorous fats that are eventually excreted through sweat. The more fatty foods we eat, the more oils our skin secretes. Vegetarians produce less “odorous sweat” than people who eat meat. This statement is true only for those vegetarians who do not abuse spicy foods.

Bacteria living on the skin can also interact with sweat and produce unpleasant odors, although many scientists doubt that these odors can be significant. It is very likely that some women have a different genetic metabolism from others, and that is why their bodies produce various acids along with their sweat, which can cause special odors.

It should be noted that the sweat glands may temporarily stop producing the usual amount of sebum. After intense workouts, most men and women would report that subsequent bursts of sweat do not smell as intense as the initial ones.

You've probably noticed that if you work hard on a hot day and then take a shower, the sweat that comes out will have a less strong odor than before taking a shower. In this case, the role is played not only by reduced sebum secretion, but also by a smaller number of skin bacteria, which convert individual substances contained in sweat into acids and compounds that carry an unpleasant odor. A significant portion of these bacteria leave the skin after showering.

Prevention

Preventative measures are not very effective, but you can try to do something to influence the situation. It is important that no prevention will help against bad vaginal odor during menopause if pathology develops in the body. But when the tests are normal, and the doctors are preparing that you need to come to terms with the problem, it’s worth trying proven remedies.

Options:

1. Eat more parsley, leafy vegetables, green apples and other fruits. You should lean on those that contain large quantities of vitamin C.
2. There are vegetables and fruits rich in antioxidants: carrots, tomatoes, nuts, berries.
3. Drink low-fat fermented milk drinks.
4. Use panty liners, just remember to change them every 2-3 hours.
5. Change your underwear twice a day. This is necessary not only to protect against unpleasant odors, but also to prevent the spread of pathogenic microflora.

What causes fishy odor in the perineum and vaginal area?

The most common cause of an unpleasant odor emanating from the vaginal area is bacterial vaginosis or gardnerellosis. The odor is associated with the overactivity of certain types of bacteria in the vagina. These bacteria cause a persistent fishy odor that increases in intensity after sexual activity as the pH level of the semen causes the odor to be released more intensely. Special tablets or creams will help eliminate bacterial imbalance.

In premenopausal women, a fairly common cause of unpleasant odor emanating from the vaginal area is a forgotten tampon. In some cases, removing the tampon helps solve the problem.

Washing the vulvar area with clean water and mild soap is usually sufficient for effective hygiene. However, you should be aware that any soaps can cause an allergic effect, and in some cases they cause dermatitis, serious skin irritation or rash. In most cases, women are not recommended to douche.

It should also be noted that some women may experience fishy odor syndrome or trimethylaminuria. This condition is caused by abnormal release of trimethylamine during breathing, as well as in urine, sweat and vaginal secretion. Trimethylamine is produced by intestinal bacteria that break down certain amino acids, carnitine and choline, which are found in high concentrations in sea fish, egg yolks, soybeans and liver.

Although this condition is rare, it shows that intestinal bacteria, skin bacteria and metabolic characteristics can cause an unpleasant odor even in those people whose glands function normally, that is, they secrete normal fats and acids.

Diagnosis of disorders

It is quite difficult for a woman to independently determine the cause of pathological vaginal discharge during menopause. That is why, if suspicious symptoms appear, the patient should not delay a visit to the doctor. The doctor, based on the results of the examination and tests, will prescribe an effective treatment regimen.

Initially, the gynecologist will conduct an examination on the chair and make a preliminary diagnosis. A pelvic ultrasound may also be required. A vaginal smear will show the presence or absence of infection.

Only a competent diagnosis will allow the doctor to prescribe rational treatment. That is why the diagnosis should be carried out by an experienced doctor.

What should your vagina smell like after sex?

Some women have an allergic reaction to the seminal fluid of sexual partners

Women are often concerned about the unpleasant odor that occurs in the genital area after sexual activity. This happens especially often when a partner ejaculates into the vagina. The pH level of sperm along with increased secretion during sexual intercourse can create a “cocktail” that causes a specific aroma. According to the charity LiveStrong, some women have an allergic reaction to their partners' semen, which ultimately leads to an increase in bacteria, yeast infections and urinary tract infections.

One reason that odor is more pronounced after sexual activity is that the natural movements involved in this process tend to push bacteria deeper into the reproductive organs. If a woman encounters this problem, she needs to ask her partner to ejaculate outside the vagina or use a condom. However, it should be mentioned that many women have allergic reactions to latex and the chemicals often found on the surface of the condom.

If the unpleasant odor mainly occurs after sexual intercourse, then simply clean the vagina with warm water and mild soap when sexual activity is completed. You can also start taking probiotics or consuming yogurt daily to support healthy flora.

Personal hygiene

The main measure available to everyone is taking water procedures. Shower or bath are required. It is better to take water procedures several times a day. Besides the fact that showers and baths help keep the body clean, they calm and relax the nervous system.

If the odor appears as a result of urinary incontinence, it is necessary to use urological pads. It is better to select them together with a gynecologist. If menstruation has not ended during menopause, the products should absorb well. It is also important that they are the right size and shape. Don't think that these pads are only for older people. There are varieties that are made specifically for women going through such a difficult period.

Underwear should be chosen from natural fabrics. Against the background of urinary incontinence during menopause, synthetics contribute to the appearance of a bad odor. It is important that the underwear does not press and is not too loose, otherwise the edges will rub and irritate the skin. There is no need to get carried away with using creams and oils, as many of them can cause allergies. Usually the listed measures help to forget about the problem.

How to deal with unpleasant odor in the vaginal area?

It is better to combat unpleasant odor using natural remedies than to apply deodorants and antiperspirants to the skin, which can irritate the external genitalia when applied to the vulva. These problems do not occur in all women, but for some they are especially relevant. If you think that the cause of the unpleasant odor is a natural secretion, then you should get checked by a doctor for bacterial vaginosis rather than trying to alleviate the condition with douching. Regular douching may well be one of the reasons for the development of vaginosis.

Good hygiene will help prevent the development of harmful bacteria, which often cause unpleasant odors.

To combat unpleasant odor in the genital area, the following steps may help.

• Before heading to work, perform daily exercises that will help dilute the contents of sweat.
• Make lifestyle changes to lose weight if you are carrying a few extra pounds. This will help reduce the amount of sweat produced during exercise.
• Before you begin, take a bath or shower to remove as much bacteria as possible from your skin. This will help reduce the severity of odors that are observed during the working day.
• Avoid eating seafood, liver, and egg yolks. In addition, you should exclude spicy vegetables such as onions and garlic from your daily diet. At the very least, try limiting your intake of these foods to see if it leads to positive changes.
• Minimize stress and try to avoid situations that cause sweating at work. If you think you are sweating too much, talk to your doctor, who can prescribe medications to help.
• Proper hydration can be the deciding factor in combating odor, so be sure to drink plenty of water every day.
• Wear clothes made from high-quality cotton, which is able to absorb moisture well and dry quickly. At night, it is better not to use underwear, but to sleep either in pajamas, or without any clothes at all.
• Any clothing and underwear should be changed immediately after training or swimming.
• Women who complain of persistent vaginal moisture should wear cotton underwear that dries quickly. In addition, you should use only natural moisturizers and oils.
• Tampons are safe to use, but if used too often or inserted when there is light bleeding, they can be painful, cause irritation in the vulva, increase vaginal secretion and thus contribute to the appearance of an unpleasant odor.
• It is recommended not to wear panty liners, but if you cannot do without, then change them every 6-8 hours.
• Always dry thoroughly after bowel movements to avoid the spread of intestinal bacteria.
• If you are not using hormonal contraception or undergoing hormone replacement therapy, you may want to try fermented soy products. They are usually used to gradually increase estrogen levels, that is, to balance hormones. This actually means that soy supplements can affect the thickness of the vaginal mucosa.
• Doctors sometimes recommend acidophilus, calling it a “magic cure” for fighting odor. Some studies confirm that this remedy can be effectively used in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Acidophilus has no side effects and can be purchased in pharmacies without a prescription. But first, talk about your desire to take acidophilus with your doctor.

Keep your expectations reasonable. There are no methods that will instantly make your genitals smell like soft floral scents. You can, of course, use deodorants, but remember that they can cause skin irritation and vulvitis.

What can cause a woman to smell like urine?

As the body prepares for menopause, the bladder begins to function differently than before. Because of this, a foul spirit appears. The reason for changes in the functioning of the urinary system is a decrease in the secretion of estrogen, the female sex hormone. As a result, the condition of the mucous membranes changes and muscle tone weakens.

The urinary tract mucosa becomes irritated, causing the urge to urinate more often. If urine smells in women during menopause, the reason may be a weakening of the sphincter muscles, which results in periodic incontinence.

Situations when involuntary release of fluid is noted:

• physical exertion, such as lifting weights;
• cough;
• sneezing;
• laughter;
• any sudden movements.

Urine may be released in the absence of the urge to urinate. It also happens differently: there are urges, but they are felt when it’s too late. During the day, a woman often has to go to the toilet, which creates some inconvenience. When urine gets on irritated mucous membranes, pain and stinging may be felt. In addition, if you do not change your underwear, after a couple of hours a persistent odor appears that is felt by others. Sanitary pads can help, but they do not help get rid of the stinging and burning sensation.