🌿 Managing Hormonal Odour During Menopause

Sometimes, when women go through menopause, they notice a stronger or unusual body odour. This happens because our hormones are changing, and it can make the body release different smells. It’s not unusual, but it can feel uncomfortable or embarrassing.

You might also notice that the soaps or shower gels you’ve always used suddenly make things worse. Sometimes, the type of soap you use can encourage bacteria on your skin to grow more quickly, causing more odour. Yes, you might think, “But I’ve used the same soap for years!” — however, during menopause, the body becomes more sensitive, and the same product can suddenly react differently.

If this happens, try switching to natural or fragrance-free soaps that are gentle on your skin. Your body changes with your hormones, so your skincare products may need to change too.

🪒 Keeping Clean: The Importance of Shaving or Trimming

Bacteria love to grow in warm, moist areas, especially where there is body hair — like under the arms or around private parts. When sweat and oils collect in these places, they create the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. This can lead to strong body odour, itching, or even small skin infections.

Keeping these areas clean, dry, and neatly shaved or trimmed helps stop bacteria from building up and keeps your body smelling fresher for longer. You don’t need to shave completely if you prefer not to — even trimming the hair shorter can make a big difference. It allows air to circulate better and makes it easier to wash away sweat and bacteria.

When shaving, always use a clean, sharp razor to avoid cuts and irritation. After shaving, it’s important to soothe and protect the skin. Instead of using perfumed lotions or sprays (which often contain toxins), try applying a natural oil such as:

Coconut oil – softens and moisturises the skin

Tea tree oil (diluted) – has natural antibacterial properties

Aloe vera gel – cools and calms the skin after shaving

These natural products help prevent bumps and redness while keeping your skin soft and healthy — without exposing it to harsh chemicals.

🍎 Natural Remedies That Help

If you’re not allergic, apple cider vinegar is a wonderful natural remedy for hormonal odour.You can add one to two cups of apple cider vinegar to your bathwater and soak for about 20 minutes. This helps to balance your skin’s pH and reduce bacteria that cause odour.After a few days, you may notice that the smell becomes milder or disappears completely. When it comes back, just repeat the process.

You can also mix a small amount of water with one or two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a little bottle. After your shower, use a cotton pad to wipe your armpits or other areas where odour is stronger.

Another natural option is baking soda. While in the shower, gently scrub your underarms or feet with baking soda. It helps to remove dead skin, balance pH, and eliminate odour.

Apple cider vinegar tends to be the most effective for me — and once your body feels fresh and balanced, you won’t need to rely on strong perfumes or scented sprays that often contain toxins. Once your body is clean, any natural scent you add becomes a bonus.

🧴 Be Aware of Your Soap and Products

I’ve also noticed that some soaps and shower gels can make body odour worse. The chemicals and fragrances they contain can cause bacteria on the skin to multiply, especially if the body is already sensitive due to hormonal changes.

So if you find that your usual body wash no longer works or makes things worse, it might be time to switch to a natural, gentle soap. Look for ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, or coconut oil — and avoid harsh fragrances or bright colours in the product.

🥗 How Your Diet Affects Body Odour

Another big factor in body odour is what we eat.For many African women, our foods are rich in spices, oils, and strong flavours — and while they taste delicious, they can sometimes influence the way our bodies smell. The body releases what we eat through sweat, so stronger spices can make our natural scent stronger too.

Drinking lots of water and eating fresh fruits and vegetables helps clean the system and reduce odour. Sometimes, when the body releases a strong smell, it’s a sign that it’s trying to get rid of toxins — a message that your system needs a little detox.

Taking time to detox gently — by eating clean, reducing processed foods, and staying hydrated — helps the body refresh itself from the inside out.

🍬 The Role of Sugar

Sugar is another culprit when it comes to body odour.Eating too much sugar can make both your body and breath smell stronger. But sugar doesn’t just come from sweets or honey — it’s also found in many of our favourite foods like sadza, rice, potatoes, and pasta.

These foods turn into sugar once they’re digested. If you eat too many carbohydrates, your body stores extra sugar, which can increase toxins and change your body’s scent.

However, don’t cut carbs completely — your brain and muscles need some sugar for energy. Cutting them too fast can make you feel weak, dizzy, or shaky — similar to withdrawal symptoms.

The key is to cut back slowly and choose healthier carbs instead.Try swapping white rice, white pasta, or white sadza for:

• Brown rice

• Wholemeal pasta

• Wholemeal or millet sadza

These whole foods keep your energy levels stable and support a healthier balance in your body.

🌸 Final Thoughts

Our bodies speak to us in many ways — and sometimes, body odour is one of those messages. It may be a sign that your hormones are changing, your products no longer suit you, or that your body needs a gentle cleanse from the inside.

By being mindful of what you put on and put in your body, and by trying simple natural remedies like apple cider vinegar baths, you can help your body feel clean, balanced, and refreshed — without using toxic perfumes or chemicals.

Your body is wise. Listen to it, support it, and it will thank you by feeling lighter, cleaner, and more at peace.

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