The best deodorant for menopause odour | why do we sweat more as we hit midlife?

What do you think, is menopause body odour a thing?  Do we sweat (and smell) more as we transition through perimenopause and menopause?  I've certainly noticed it, it's another one of those things we can put down to hormonal changes, and it isn't just because of hot flushes, which I've never had (night sweats yes) but my body temperature has changed and I no longer feel the cold as much as I used to.  Excessive sweating, especially underarm odour, seems to appear even right after showering and using plenty of good shower gel!  

So why does it happen and how can we ensure we stay fresh right up to the end of the day to give us more confidence?

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Why do we sweat more during perimenopause and menopause?

With hormone levels fluctuating, one of the symptoms of perimenopause is that our internal temperature regulation becomes less reliable, resulting in hot flushes, night sweats and body odour. The composition of our sweat also changes, making it easier for bacteria to cause odour, especially under the arms.

​Then add in midlife stress and increased cortisol, thanks to midlife overwhelm, and the result is stress sweat and more noticeable body odour - to us anyway, others may not actually notice - our natural sense of smell change as we go through menopause, and we can be far more aware of it.  

Our bodies are designed to sweat as we cool down and this is why excessive sweating attracts odour-causing bacteria.

We all have two types of sweat glands, apocrine and eccrine glands, our armpits contain apocrine glands which produce a thicker sweat that the odour-causing bacteria just loves.

What can we do about excessive sweating in midlife?

Change our deodorant!  Many of us have used the same brand of deodorant for years without thinking about it, but we need to reassess what our body needs in midlife.  

​A traditional antiperspirant deodorant uses aluminium compounds to block sweat ducts, which do work but there are now some concerns that aluminium in antiperspirants might raise the risk of breast cancer and cause skin irritation and although not proven, I think it is safer to look for aluminium-free deodorants and swap to one with natural ingredients.  

​We also need to increase how often we apply our deodorant, for me personally and especially in the warmer weather, I prefer to apply after my shower and using antibacterial soap in the morning and after my bath in the evening.

Why I recommend Fussy Natural Deodorant

I discovered Fussy a couple of years ago, and I love this natural, plastic-free, and highly effective deodorant that actually works for menopausal sweat and odour.  It's gentle on my more sensitive skin, smells gorgeous (and there are a lot of scents to choose from) and I love that it is also eco-friendly.  A few Fussy highlights:

Active ingredients include magnesium and sodium bicarbonate to neutralise odour.
Aluminium free, no parabens and no synthetic fragrances.
Refillable cases to reduce waste, each refill will last from 4 to 8 weeks with daily application.
A subtle, fresh and natural scent using essential oils that doesn't overpower.

I genuinely recommend Fussy, I love the fun cases, there is so much choice to suit every taste and to match your dressing table decor, and they have lots of scents to try, no more smelly armpits!  Using Fussy as part of my daily routine has made a big difference to my odour.  And my daughter has made the switch too!

Top Tips to manage menopause sweating and odour

As well as a good deodorant, try these lifestyle changes:

Wear breathable fabrics with natural fibres like cotton and bamboo.
Wear light layers so you can adjust your temperature whenever needed.
Keep a travel size deodorant (Fussy do one) in your handbag for top ups on the go.
Stay hydrated, it helps your body regulate temperature more efficiently.
Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy if you haven't already!  HRT was a game-changer for my quality of life.

Use my Fussy discount code FIFTYANDFAB15 to get 15% off your first order from Fussy Natural Deodorant, you can subscribe or order when needed.

Use my discount code for Fussy to get 15% off your first order!

Honestly the things we have to cope with in midlife!  I never imagined when I was 20 that I'd be writing about excessive sweating but then I had absolutely no clue what menopause even was back then.  I was chatting to a friend last week and we agreed 'if we knew then what we know now' how different our whole experience of menopause might have been, certainly starting HRT much earlier is one of the things I'd have changed.  Please don't be a martyr, if you suspect something feels off (even in your late 30s) speak to a menopause specialist.

Love from
Michelle xxx


​Disclaimer: I was gifted the Fussy case and refill, my links are affiliate links, meaning I earn a very small commission if you purchase with my discount code, thank you so much for your ongoing support of my blog!

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