Why Your Armpits Might Smell Stronger During Your Period (And What to Do About It)

Have you ever noticed your deodorant seems to be fighting a losing battle during your period? You're not imagining things and you're definitely not alone. That increase in armpit odor during menstruation is a real phenomenon with scientific explanations behind it. Let's dive into why this happens and what you can do to feel fresher all month long.

The Hormone Connection

Your menstrual cycle orchestrates a complex dance of hormones throughout your body. During your period, fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone don't just affect your reproductive system, they influence your sweat glands too. These hormonal shifts can increase both the amount of sweat you produce and alter its chemical composition, creating a more welcoming environment for odor-causing bacteria.

Research from the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that women's body odor intensity varies throughout their menstrual cycle, with many experiencing stronger underarm odor during menstruation and ovulation when hormone levels are in flux.

The Heat Is On 🔥

Many women experience a slight rise in body temperature during menstruation. This natural warming effect triggers your body's cooling system: sweating. More sweat means more moisture under your arms and more food for the bacteria that transform your perspiration into that distinctive body odor. During menstruation, basal body temperature can increase by about 0.3 to 0.5 degrees Celsius. This small increase is enough to activate sweat glands more readily, leading to increased perspiration, particularly in areas with high concentrations of sweat glands like the underarms.

The Science Behind Your Period's Temperature Shift

Your body temperature fluctuates naturally throughout your menstrual cycle due to hormonal changes. During the follicular phase (before ovulation), estrogen dominates and keeps your body temperature relatively lower. After ovulation, progesterone levels rise, which has a thermogenic effect, raising your core temperature.

When your period begins, progesterone levels drop but your temperature doesn't immediately return to baseline. This lingering warmth, combined with the inflammatory processes involved in menstruation, creates a slightly elevated body temperature during the first few days of your cycle.

Research published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that this temperature increase, while modest, significantly affects how your body regulates heat. Your hypothalamus—the brain's temperature control center—responds to this warmth by triggering your cooling mechanisms earlier and more aggressively than it would during other phases of your cycle.

The Stress Factor

Let's be honest—periods can be stressful. Physical discomfort from cramps, swelling and bloating increases stress hormones like cortisol. Premenstrual anxiety or mood swings stimulate your sympathetic nervous system. Disrupted sleep patterns due to discomfort affect your body's stress regulation. Your body might respond to these factors with stress sweat, which comes from different glands (apocrine) than regular cooling sweat (eccrine). 

Your body actually produces two different types of sweat, and understanding the difference is key to managing period-related odor. Eccrine glands, found all over your body, produce the watery sweat that helps cool you down during exercise or hot weather. This sweat is mostly water and salt, and doesn't have much odor on its own. Apocrine glands, however, tell a different story. Concentrated in areas like your armpits, groin, and scalp, these glands activate during emotional responses like stress, anxiety, and hormonal fluctuations, all common companions to your menstrual cycle. The sweat from apocrine glands contains proteins, lipids, fatty acids, and other compounds that skin bacteria absolutely love to feast on.

This combination creates the perfect storm for stronger-smelling sweat precisely when you might be feeling most vulnerable. When bacteria break down this protein-rich sweat, they produce thioalcohol compounds with particularly potent odors that can be detected in even tiny amounts. What makes this especially challenging is that stress sweat often persists even when you're not feeling hot, making traditional cooling strategies less effective. This explains why you might notice stronger armpit odor during your period even when you're not physically active or in a warm environment.

A Shift in Your Personal Ecosystem

Your body maintains a delicate balance of bacteria and pH levels on your skin. During your period, these balances can temporarily shift. The result? The bacteria under your arms may process your sweat differently, as mentioned above, producing stronger-smelling odors than during other parts of your cycle.

Recent microbiome research suggests that women's armpit bacterial ecosystems may undergo cyclical changes that correlate with hormonal fluctuations. And in case you don’t know, your microbiome is the community of bacteria living on your skin. Yes, you read that right! During your period, there may be temporary increases in certain bacterial species that produce more potent compounds (thioalcohols and volatile fatty acids)—the primary contributors to body odor.

What's really interesting is that these changes in your armpit bacteria aren't just happening because your hormones are changing. Scientists have found that it works both ways - your hormones affect your bacteria, but some of these bacteria might also influence how your body processes hormones. It's like they're having a conversation with each other, with each side responding to and affecting the other.

This complex interplay between your reproductive cycle and your personal microbial ecosystem explains why approaches that work for controlling odor during other parts of your cycle might be less effective during menstruation. Your deodorant isn't failing—it's facing an entirely different microbial landscape.

Your Period Cravings Could Be Contributing

Those chocolate cravings and fast-food runs around your period aren't just affecting your energy levels—they might be influencing your body odor too. Studies have shown that sulfur-containing foods like onions, garlic, and cruciferous vegetables can be excreted through sweat, potentially intensifying body odor. Additionally, processed foods and red meat can affect how you smell. Coupled with period-related hormone fluctuations, these dietary choices might make their presence known through your sweat glands. So be mindful of what you eat during your cycle.

Taking Control of Period-Related Body Odor

Fortunately, you don't have to just accept stronger smells during your period. A few simple adjustments to your routine can make a significant difference: 

Switch to Natural Deodorant

While conventional antiperspirants work by plugging sweat ducts with aluminum compounds, natural deodorants like Good + Plenty Naturals Aluminum-Free Deodorant work differently. They neutralize odor-causing bacteria while allowing your body to sweat naturally—a healthier approach for your body's detoxification processes.

Our natural deodorants contain ingredients like coconut oil, magnesium hydroxide and zinc oxide, that combat bacteria without disrupting your body's natural functions. They also include moisture absorbing ingredients like arrowroot powder to soak up the sweat. Many women find that switching to natural deodorant actually reduces period-related odor over time as their body's microbiome rebalances.

Deep Cleanse with an Armpit Detox

An armpit detox is a deep cleansing treatment designed specifically to remove deodorant buildup, bacteria, and dead skin cells from your underarm area. This targeted cleansing can significantly reduce odor by addressing the root causes of armpit smell.

Our Armpit Detox uses natural ingredients like bentonite clay and activated charcoal, combined with apple cider vinegar to draw impurities from the skin. These powerful cleansing agents work together to:

• Remove antiperspirant residue that can trap bacteria against your skin
• Clear out accumulated product buildup that conventional washing might miss
• Draw out environmental toxins that have settled in the porous underarm area
• Exfoliate dead skin cells that can harbor odor-causing bacteria
• Balance your skin's pH level for a less hospitable environment for odor-producing microbes

Many women report noticing an immediate reduction in underarm odor after their first detox treatment. For best results during your period when odor is strongest, apply the mask once a day or every-other day to maintain cleaner, fresher-smelling underarms.

Shower Strategy

Adjust your shower routine during your period to include more frequent cleansing, particularly if you're experiencing heavier sweating. Using an antibacterial body wash can help manage odor-causing bacteria without disrupting your skin's natural balance. Also in between showers wipe your armpits with alcohol free witch hazel. This is a quick fix to eliminate the odor causing bacteria on your skin.

Clothing Choices Matter

Opt for loose-fitting, breathable fabrics like cotton, especially during your period. Synthetic materials can trap moisture against your skin, creating ideal conditions for bacteria growth. Consider keeping a change of clothes handy on heavier flow days, particularly if you're active.

Hydration Is Key

Staying well-hydrated helps dilute the compounds in your sweat that bacteria feast on. Aim for at least eight glasses of water daily during your period—more if you're exercising or it's hot outside.

Stress Management

Since stress can trigger those odor-intensive apocrine sweat glands, incorporating stress-reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, or even just deep breathing exercises can help minimize period-related body odor.

Quick Fixes to Power Through Your Day

Hand Sanitizer

Yes! You read that right. In a pinch grab your hand sanitizer, apply it to your armpits and let it dry. It contains alcohol which kills germs and bacteria-which as you read above causes odor.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a natural astringent that can kill odor causing bacteria. Apply it to a cotton pad and wipe your pits. Hell, if you don't have a cotton pad just use your fingers!

Natural Remedies Worth Trying

Here are several natural remedies that may help combat stronger armpit odor during your period:

• Apple cider vinegar: Dilute with water and apply to clean armpits to help regulate pH levels
• Lemon juice: The citric acid creates an environment less friendly to odor-causing bacteria
• Baking soda paste: Can help neutralize odors (though be cautious as it may irritate sensitive skin)
• Tea tree oil: Has natural antimicrobial properties that combat odor-causing bacteria

When to See a Doctor

While stronger armpit odor during your period is normal, dramatic changes in body odor that persist beyond menstruation could signal something else is happening. If you notice sudden, extreme changes in body odor, unusual discharge, or other concerning symptoms, check in with your healthcare provider.

Conditions like thyroid disorders, or diabetes can sometimes manifest through changes in body odor. Trust your instincts, you know your body best.

Remember, our bodies are constantly adjusting to hormonal shifts, and temporary changes in body odor are just one way those adjustments manifest. With the right strategies, you can minimize discomfort and feel confident throughout your entire cycle.

Embracing Your Natural Cycle

As we navigate the complex journeys of our bodies, it's worth remembering that these natural fluctuations—even the less pleasant ones like stronger body odor—are signs of our bodies doing exactly what they're designed to do. Rather than fighting against these changes, we can work with them, adjusting our self-care routines to accommodate our body's shifting needs throughout the month.

By understanding the science behind period-related body odor and implementing targeted strategies, you can feel confident and comfortable all month long.

 

 

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Medical Disclaimer: The content on this blog is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.