Why has my body odour suddenly changed?
Sweat, hormone changes and some medicines can do it. You can usually treat it yourself. If that doesn’t work, the NHS says see a GP if it smells different or you suddenly sweat much more.
On this page
Why has my body odour suddenly got worse?
Body odour (BO) is common, and the NHS says you can usually treat it yourself. Often the cause is unknown. It may be linked to sweating a lot.
The NHS lists six things that can make body odour worse.
| Cause | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Exercise | A new class, a running habit or a more active job. |
| Hot weather | Summer, a heatwave or a warm office. |
| Hormonal changes | Perimenopause and menopause can bring hot flushes and heavy sweating. |
| Being overweight | Recent weight gain. |
| Some medicines | Such as antidepressants, if the smell started after a new one. |
| A condition | Such as diabetes, kidney disease or liver disease. |
Sources: NHS: body odour; NHS: menopause
Started a new medicine just before the smell changed? Tell your GP or pharmacist. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber.
Your next step: pick the row that fits, then try the home steps below for a couple of weeks.
Is it hormones or the menopause?
It can be. The NHS names hormonal changes as one thing that can make BO worse.
In perimenopause and menopause, hot flushes can make you sweat a lot. They can happen in the day or at night. One of the first signs of perimenopause is usually a change to your periods.
So if your periods are changing and you’re hotter and sweatier, the two may be linked. Read more on perimenopause symptoms and menopause night sweats.
Jot down when the smell is worst, your periods and any flushes for a few weeks. It turns a vague worry into notes your GP can use.
Is it stronger, or a different smell?
Think of it like a song on the radio. Stronger is the same song turned up, and more sweat often does that. If it’s turned up suddenly because you’re sweating much more than usual, that’s a GP reason too if washing hasn’t helped.
A different smell is a new song. That’s the change the NHS says to take to a GP if washing hasn’t fixed it: a change in how it usually smells.
A few smells point somewhere specific. Where the smell comes from matters as much as what it’s like.
| Smell | Where | What the NHS or charity says |
|---|---|---|
| Fishy, often after sex | Vaginal discharge | A common sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV). See a GP or sexual health clinic. |
| Fishy, rotten eggs or urine | Sweat, breath and urine | Can be trimethylaminuria, a rare inherited condition. Needs a special urine test. |
| Fruity, like pear drops or nail polish remover | Breath | A sign of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). With thirst, peeing more, or sleepy or confused, call 999. |
Sources: NHS: BV; Metabolic Support UK; NHS: DKA
A fishy smell from the vagina is not BO. It’s a common sign of BV, which is an imbalance of bacteria and is usually treated with antibiotics. Half of women with BV have no symptoms at all.
Trimethylaminuria seems to affect more women than men, and the smell can be stronger before and during a period. It’s rare, so doctors rule out BV, urine infections, gum disease and ordinary BO first.
Noticed one of these three? Follow the advice in its row. Washing more won’t fix it.
How do I get rid of body odour?
Six NHS steps to try first
- Wash your armpits, groin and feet at least twice a day with soap, and dry them well.
- Use antiperspirants and deodorants.
- Change and wash your clothes regularly.
- Wear cotton, wool or silk, and avoid tight clothes and manmade fabrics.
- Wear moisture-wicking socks, and change them at least twice a day.
- Don’t eat too much strong-smelling or spicy food, or drink too much alcohol.
Source: NHS: body odour
Still smelly? A pharmacist can suggest stronger antiperspirants, sweat shields for your clothes, foot powders and gentler soap substitutes.
Down below, less is more. The NHS says to wash with water and plain soap. Skip vaginal deodorants, washes and douches, and scented hygiene wipes.
Why am I sweating more than usual?
Sweating too much can happen for no obvious reason. It can also come from another condition, or be a side effect of a medicine.
An overactive thyroid is one cause. Signs include warm skin and sweating a lot, not coping with heat, a fast heartbeat and weight loss, often despite eating more.
A blood test can often show if it’s your thyroid. See overactive thyroid symptoms.
Soaked at night? Common causes include menopause, anxiety, some medicines and low blood sugar. Our guide to night sweats and blood tests covers what a GP may check.
What usually happens next
- 1
Home steps
Wash twice a day, use antiperspirant, wear natural fabrics.
- 2
Pharmacist
Stronger antiperspirants, sweat shields and foot powders.
- 3
GP
Checks your symptoms and medicines. May refer you for tests.
- 4
Treatment
Prescription antiperspirant, tablets or a specialist, if it’s severe.
Sources: NHS: body odour; NHS: excessive sweating
Have diabetes, kidney or liver disease? Read about diabetes blood tests, kidney function tests and liver function tests.
When to speak to a GP
Call 999 or go to A&E if your breath smells fruity and you’re thirsty, peeing more, or sleepy or confused. This can be diabetic ketoacidosis, even if you’ve never been told you have diabetes.
See a GP if:
- Your BO hasn’t got better with home steps, and it smells different from usual, you suddenly sweat much more, or it’s hurting your self-esteem. NHS: body odour.
- You sweat too much and home steps aren’t helping, or it has lasted 6 months or more, happens at least once a week or at night, stops your daily life, runs in your family, or you take medicine for another condition. NHS: excessive sweating.
- You have night sweats regularly that wake you up or worry you, or with a very high temperature (or feel hot, cold or shivery), a cough or diarrhoea, or you’re losing weight for no reason. NHS: night sweats.
- Your vaginal discharge smells fishy. A sexual health clinic can help too. If you’re pregnant and your discharge changes, speak to a GP or your midwife.
- You have signs of an overactive thyroid, such as sweating, a fast heartbeat and weight loss. NHS: overactive thyroid.
Take your notes on when the smell is worst. A GP may offer prescription antiperspirants or medicines for sweating.