Yes, menopause can cause changes in vaginal odor, sometimes leading to a fishy smell, primarily due to lower estrogen levels affecting vaginal pH and the microbiome, which can create an environment ripe for bacterial overgrowth (Bacterial Vaginosis) or increase ammonia from urine leakage, but a persistent strong fishy odor needs medical attention as it often signals an infection like BV.
Some women describe their menopause body odour as smelling like urine, and even cat pee, which could be caused by excess ammonia due to increased amounts of apocrine sweat. Aside from body odour, you may also experience 'phantom smells', such as smoke.
Here are some of the best home remedies for addressing fishy odor.
The rotten fish odour is usually present from childhood and is exacerbated during puberty. In women, the offensive odour may be enhanced by oral contraceptives or may increase just before and during menstruation as a result of hormonal inhibition of the oxidation of trimethylamine.
Some women feel that their body odor is more pronounced during perimenopause. Hot flashes and night sweats can cause women to sweat more, which feeds bacteria and may increase body odor.
Regular bathing, especially after exercise, helps remove the sweat and bacteria on your skin. Using antibacterial soap and wearing breathable fabrics can also assist in managing body odour.
What are the symptoms of perimenopause?
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Sweating also can cause a vaginal odor. Bacterial vaginosis is an overgrowth of bacteria typically present in the vagina. It's a common vaginal condition that can cause vaginal odor. Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection, also can lead to vaginal odor.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) typically causes a strong, unpleasant, "fishy" odor, often described as like rotting fish, which becomes more noticeable after intercourse, and is usually accompanied by thin, grayish-white discharge and sometimes itching or burning. This distinct fishy smell comes from trimethylamine, a chemical produced when anaerobic bacteria overgrow in the vagina, disrupting the natural balance.
Yes, bacterial vaginosis (BV) can sometimes go away on its own, as it's considered "self-limiting," but it's not recommended to wait, especially if you have symptoms, due to risks like increased susceptibility to STIs (HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea), Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), and pregnancy complications (preterm birth, miscarriage). Medical treatment with antibiotics is usually suggested for symptomatic cases to prevent these serious health issues, particularly during pregnancy, say experts from the CDC and Cleveland Clinic.
Trimethylaminuria (trī-meth'il-am-i-nyūr'ē-ă) is a metabolic disorder that makes your sweat, breath, saliva and pee smell like rotten fish. Metabolic disorders affect how your body processes nutrients and enzymes. Healthcare providers may refer to this condition as TMAU or fish odor syndrome.
We get it — it's a common problem, but sometimes it can make you self-conscious (“wait, can other people smell that, too?!”) and affect your confidence. Inner thigh odor is caused by various factors, including excessive sweating, fungal infections, poor hygiene, and hormonal changes.
The peak symptom phase typically occurs during the transition between perimenopause and early postmenopause. Most women experience their worst symptoms for 4-5 years, though the entire menopause journey can last up to 14 years.
Here are the top five vitamins essential for female wellness during menopause.
How to Manage Vaginal Odor After 50
The truth is that when everything's normal, no one else smells any odors from a girl's vagina. If a girl has an infection like bacterial vaginosis, she may notice a fishy smell. But even then, it's unlikely that people around her will notice it.
Antibiotics commonly prescribed for clearing up infections that cause unpleasant vaginal odors include:
The menopausal drop in estrogen also leaves our bodies with relatively higher levels of testosterone — produced by our ovaries in small amounts — than before. This can attract more bacteria to sweat, making it smell funkier.
If you're sweating a lot and concerned about body odor, try using a stronger product like Degree® 5 in 1 Protection Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant. Not only does it deliver prescription-strength wetness protection, but it also gives you a refreshing fragrance boost and instant moisturization.
Tips to Tame Odor
Daily hygiene: Shower daily with antibacterial soap, especially after sweating. Thoroughly clean areas prone to odor, such as your underarms, groin and feet. Breathable clothing: Wear natural fibers like cotton or linen that allow your skin to breathe during the day and while sleeping.
3 embarrassing symptoms of perimenopause and menopause
Some of the tell-tale signs of menopause, such as night sweats and hot flushes, are well known, but many people are unaware of some of the more sinister symptoms, including brain fog, memory problems, anxiety and depression.