Periwell
Category: Skin & HairClinical Profile

Body Odor Changes

A sudden, pungent change in how your sweat smells, often resembling a metallic or 'onion-y' scent.

Biological Mechanism

Estrogen drop shifts the bacterial microbiome of the skin. Additionally, an increase in sympathetic nervous system activity (hot flashes) causes apocrine glands to secrete a thicker, lipid-rich sweat that skin bacteria feast upon, creating a newly pungent odor.

Common Misdiagnoses

Poor hygiene, Dietary changes

Evidence-Based Treatments

  • 01Clinical strength antiperspirant

    Blocks the apocrine secretion.

  • 02HRT

    Controls the vasomotor sweeping, reducing the volume of apocrine release.