Menopause sweat smells like vinegar Aug 9, 2022 · Does your sweat smell like vinegar? The problem is much more common than most people believe it to be. For menopause-related body odor, you might need one or both. Apr 26, 2024 · **Menopause:** During menopause, hormonal fluctuations can alter the pH levels in your body, including your sweat, leading to changes in body odor that might smell like vinegar. Sweat itself doesn’t smell, but when the bacteria on your skin mix with your sweat, it causes an odor. Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties that can kill odor-causing bacteria, while lemon juice can help neutralize unpleasant smells. Spices and Seasonings: Eating foods with strong spices like garlic, curry, cumin, and vinegar can change how your sweat smells. Whenever you notice that the smell of your sweat has changed, immediately consult your doctor. Apr 13, 2024 · Hormonal imbalances, especially during puberty or menopause, can affect the body’s natural scent. Reducing intake of foods known for strong smells—like garlic, onions, or vinegar—might be beneficial. Hormones: Hormonal fluctuations, such as those experienced during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, can alter sweat production and composition, affecting body odor. Just would like to ask why are you taking two different progestogens, progesterone (Utrogestan) and norethisterone (Evorel Conti). It’s also why acne and skin changes can become an issue in the menopause. Does vinegar itself cause sweat to smell like vinegar? No, vinegar itself does not cause sweat to smell like vinegar. Apr 29, 2024 · Hormonal changes, particularly during puberty, menopause, or pregnancy, can affect the composition of sweat and lead to a vinegar-like odor. If you Feb 1, 2023 · Many women report stronger body odor during perimenopause. Even if you don’t smoke, you may want to avoid second-hand smoke. Feb 25, 2024 · How Can You Manage Body Odor During Menopause? Managing body odor during menopause involves both hygiene and lifestyle adjustments. Why Does Your Sweat Smell Like Vinegar? Everyone has a different body odor. Some individuals find that a high carbohydrate or high-sugar diet will produce the smell of vinegar in sweat. There is also another acid called isovaleric acid that makes the sweat smell like cheese. This particular bacteria breaks down the amino acids into propionic acid which itself has a vinegary like the smell, and as a result, cause the problem, sweat smells like vinegar. Wondering ‘but why does my sweat smell like vinegarwhen sleeping or all the day’? Check out the following reasons that are usually responsible for the vinegar sweat. Apocrine glands are located near the armpits, groin, and scalp, and they produce a strong, oily sweat that can cause a strong smell. While sweat and bacteria are the main ingredients, several other factors can contribute to a vinegary odor under the breasts: The post If Your Sweat Smells Like Vinegar, a Doctor Reveals What It Can Mean appeared first on The Healthy. Menopause and hot flushes can also bring about5 change in the smell of sweat. . Synthetic fabrics Jul 27, 2019 · So here we want to review the causes of sweat smell like vinegar and how to treat it. What medical conditions can cause sweat to smell like vinegar? Several medical conditions can result in vinegar-like smelling sweat. The palms of your hands or soles of your feet have more of them, while Oct 6, 2023 · Sweat Smells Like Vinegar, And Night Sweats Caused By Medical Condition A few medical reasons may lead to night sweats and sweat that smells like vinegar . Antiperspirants and deodorants are not one the same. These are found on most of your body. May 9, 2024 · 7. Diet : Consuming certain foods, such as asparagus, garlic, or cruciferous vegetables, can make sweat smell more acidic and vinegary due to the sulfur compounds Feb 27, 2024 · Opt for fabrics that breathe well, like cotton, to minimize sweat retention. Sweat is released by sweat Jun 18, 2020 · On the other hand, apocrine sweat glands are located in your armpits, groin area, and other places close to large hair follicles. Shower regularly with antibacterial soap to reduce the presence of bacteria on your skin. Pfingstler’s point, often, the culprit behind that vinegar-like odor is simply an excess of bacteria on your skin. As estrogen levels fluctuate during perimenopause, your body’s chemistry changes, sometimes in unexpected (and unwelcome) ways. **Kidney disorders:** Although relatively rare, specific kidney disorders can sometimes cause a person to have breath that smells like vinegar due to metabolic changes. Your body produces sweat from two types of glands Eccrine sweat glands. 6. To Dr. This can cause them to have more bacteria in their sweat, and that sweat may smell more. And as these bacteria break down sweat, they produce that unmistakable odor. A number of other factors can also influence how much sweat you produce and how it smells. I am into year 2 of menopause and its roller-coaster of hormone fluctuations, hot flashes & weird smells; the menopause BO wafting out of my “Hell Pits” and from down there are very embarrassing for me. Treatment of sweat that smells like vinegar is dependent on the attributing cause. Menopause. Lifestyle is a contributing factor in changing body perspiration. When I open my legs, it smells like urine. 5. Mar 16, 2024 · This article explores the science behind sweat odor, the reasons why some people experience stronger or more persistent body odor, and effective ways to manage it. These changes may result in a vinegar-like smell temporarily. It can also be the consequence of diabetes. Feb 20, 2024 · Regular sweat is released from eccrine sweat glands, whereas stress sweat is released through apocrine sweat glands, explains Stephanie Culver, MD, a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner with Sep 23, 2022 · Sweat mainly consists of water and sodium chloride, but it contains a number of other chemicals. ” May 15, 2025 · Some variables that can make you sweat aren't always a menopause thing, like caffeine, alcohol, stress, and a higher body mass index (BMI). Excessive sweating – also known as hyperhidrosis – can be a symptom of perimenopause and menopause. 2. It can result from a changed sense of smell; profuse sweating from hot flashes or night sweats; or greater prominence of testosterone, which attracts more bacteria to sweat. Aug 25, 2022 · Women do not produce the same fatty acid, and their sweat is high in a sulfur compound that when exposed to bacteria, turns into a substance that can smell like onions. May 2, 2025 · Diet: Certain foods, like garlic, onions, cumin, and curry, contain sulfur compounds that can be excreted in sweat, further contributing to the onion-like odor. The odor that some women have in the genital area arises from bacteria in the vagina, which releases fishy-smelling amines. Common Causes of Vinegar-Like Skin Odor. “Meaning, it stops the odor reaction that happens when bacteria are exposed to different bodily fluids, like sweat, semen, and blood. Menopause is another possible cause of vinegar smelling sweat. Is this normal? If you notice a urine-like (ammonia) smell when you open your legs, it could indicate: Bacterial vaginosis: An imbalance of bacteria in the vagina. It kinda freaks me out. Sometimes eating a particular food is the reason for the vinegar smelling your sweat. 8. First things first: Hygiene plays a pivotal role. Diseases such as diabetes, trichomycosis, and kidney disease can also cause this smell. Several factors may contribute to why skin smells like vinegar. Every time I leave the house I think people can smell me, and I have become an expert noticing when someone can smell my menopause funk. ” Indeed, higher testosterone levels in men have been associated with stronger smelling Apr 29, 2021 · Sweat can smell like vinegar because of diseases such as diabetes, trichomycosis, and kidney disease, or because of hormone changes, certain foods, or skin infections. Menopause can also cause body odor changes. This is especially common during puberty, menopause, or when you’re feeling stressed or anxious. If your sweat smells like vinegar, it might be due to hormonal shifts from puberty, menopause, or menstruation. Here are some of the most common causes: Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or trichomycosis, can cause sweat to smell like vinegar. Feb 18, 2025 · A person’s sweat may smell like ammonia due to a high protein diet, exercise, or health conditions such as kidney disease and diabetes. The purpose of sweat is to help the body cool down. Infections: Certain skin infections caused by bacteria, such as Staphylococcus Apr 29, 2024 · These foods contain compounds that can be released through sweat glands during the sweating process, contributing to a vinegar-like smell. Quimby explains. No one talks about what their sweat smells like. By understanding the causes of sweat-related odor, individuals can make informed decisions about personal hygiene, diet, and lifestyle choices that help control and reduce unpleasant smells. Mar 16, 2025 · The main reasons Why Your Sweat Smells Like Vinegar According to research, our body odor gives a great deal of data about what’s happening inside us. Your body contains two types of sweat glands : apocrine and eccrine. Treatment of sweat which smells like vinegar. Apr 22, 2025 · For instance, if your sweat routinely smells like vinegar, it could indicate unmanaged diabetes or kidney disease. A vinegary, acidic smell could be caused by various external factors and by some health issues. Sep 2, 2019 · Vinegar smell sweat: Vinegar smell sweat is a sign that your body is not in its natural state and going through some different phase. Body odor is what you smell when your sweat comes in contact with the bacteria on your skin. Sweat Sweat is usually odorless, but sometimes it can have a bad smell. What Causes Sweat to Smell during Menopause? If someone notices that their sweat has taken on an unusual vinegar-like smell, there are several strategies they might consider employing: Dietary Adjustments. Clean body, clean clothes, less odor. Menopause: Hormonal changes can alter vaginal pH and lead to unusual May 8, 2025 · What does kidney disease smell like? Kidney disease can cause sweat and urine to smell like ammonia. Many women report stronger body odor as they transition to menopause, with several possible explanations. Natural remedies like apple cider vinegar and lemon juice can help control body odor during menopause. This is due to the buildup of toxins in the body. During menopause, the body undergoes significant hormonal changes, which can cause changes in body odor. 5 days ago · 13. They release sweat when a person experiences emotional stress that contains fatty composites. Our body is influenced by hormones and when their balance gets disturbed body odor might be a side-effect. So called “hot flashes” mean that our body is creating more sweat than usual, and body odor changes along with it. 4. The amount you sweat doesn’t necessarily impact your body odor. **Hormonal Changes:** Hormonal imbalances or changes, such as those experienced during menopause, can lead to changes in body odor, including a vinegar-like smell. When this sweat mixes with bacteria on the skin, it can create a combination that smells like vinegar. This isn't advisable. Use Appropriate Antiperspirants or Deodorants. Sweat is released by sweat Mar 1, 2023 · Similarly, people with liver or kidney problems may have a musty or vinegar-like odor in their sweat due to a buildup of toxins in their body. May 4, 2025 · While hormonal shifts like puberty or menopause often affect body odor, thyroid imbalances can also trigger unexpected changes—including sweat that smells oddly sour, like milk or cheese. Hormone changes Aug 4, 2023 · The impact your hormones have on menopause body odor “As estrogen drops during menopause, women can have relatively higher levels of testosterone,” Dr. Factors that worsen body odor include consuming spicy foods, being overweight, and taking certain types of medications, like antidepressants. Diet and Food Intake. Body odor can smell sweet, sour, tangy or like onions. Mar 25, 2025 · In the case of a vinegar-like smell, compounds like acetic acid (the main component of vinegar) are likely being produced. The two common acidic compounds are propionic acid which makes the sweat smell like vinegar. Other Jan 19, 2022 · Sweat may smell musty or like onions, cheese, ammonia, and metal, among others. The smell of sweat can also smell like ammonia, fish, vinegar, alcohol, and even cannabis! A number of different things influence the scent of sweat. Similarly, diets high in sugar or processed foods can also affect how one smells. Sometimes, sweat even smells like vinegar. Jul 4, 2024 · This increase in sweating creates a perfect storm for bacteria to thrive, especially in areas like your armpits. Most of us don’t even notice our own smell, so if you suddenly notice a change in your body odor, you need to pay attention to it. Making changes to one’s diet could help mitigate unpleasant odors. Why does under my breast smell like vinegar? The sour Sep 10, 2020 · The sweat from these apocrine sweat glands contain more byproducts mixed in with the sweat The bacteria on the skin near the apocrine sweat glands can breakdown these byproducts to propionic acid, which is responsible for the vinegar smell in sweat. If your sweat smells like vinegar, it may indicate a medical condition or other factors. Mar 27, 2025 · Your diet can directly impact the way sweat and other bodily fluids smell. Through changes in the smell of sweat we can know many things. Here are some possible reasons: 1. Causes of sweat smelling like vinegar Hormonal causes Dietary causes of vinegar smelling sweat Feb 18, 2025 · Hi Belle1, I can't help regarding the vinegar smell, sorry. Because when diabetes is not properly managed, more glucose remains in the bloodstream rather than in cells where it can be used for energy. Antiperspirants block sweat, deodorants mask odor. When bacteria mingle with sweat, they can produce this sharp scent. It’s not like the BO hormonal smell that teens get, I rarely get BO anymore but if I do it’s the day before my period and only in my armpits. This is why hormonal imbalance causes excessive sweating and body odor changes. These include diabetes, menopause, hormonal imbalances, liver disease, and certain genetic disorders. Certain foods, especially those high in choline (like liver and eggs) or sulfur (such as onions and garlic), have been shown to affect body odor, particularly Mar 27, 2025 · Vinegar-Rich Foods: Consuming a large amount of vinegar, fermented foods (like kimchi or sauerkraut), or even foods with a high acetic acid content can potentially contribute to a pickle-like scent in your sweat. Medications. Jun 4, 2024 · Apocrine sweat provides food for bacteria, which break it down, creating smells. Jun 10, 2024 · Possible Reasons Behind Vinegar-Like Smelling Sweat. Some preventive measures for sweat with vinegar odor are listed below: So my night sweat has a unique smell. Wear clothes made of natural fibers like cotton, which allow your skin to breathe and reduce sweat accumulation. Even hormonal changes can bring about the change in the smell of sweat. Can hormonal imbalance cause underarm odor? Yes. Don’t stay in areas where smokers dwell. Thus, better personal hygiene, management of diabetes, and eating a balanced diet can help treat and prevent cases of vinegar smelling sweat. Klingman explains. Ketones can produce a vinegar-like smell when excreted through sweat. It’s Not Just About Sweat. Jun 18, 2020 · When bacteria on the skin break down this sweat, body odor is the result. Some medications, like antibiotics or those containing sulfur compounds, can alter body odor and potentially create a vinegar-like smell. Bacteria feed on the fatty composites when the sweat reaches the skin's surface and then release an odor, causing body odor. Keep reading—Dr Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause can lead to changes in sweat composition, making it more acidic and prone to smelling like vinegar. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the main causes and the ways to deal with sweat that smells like vinegar. Other factors can change how your sweat smells. These compounds are metabolized and released through sweat glands, sometimes resulting in unusual smells during perspiration. In the case of kidney disease, the kidneys may be damaged due to heat stress, dehydration, and physical activity, leading to a build-up of waste products in the blood. Urinary tract infection (UTI): An infection in the urinary tract. “This may attract more bacteria to sweat and, in turn, cause increased odor. While bacteria and isovaleric acid are the primary causes of sweat’s vinegar-like smell, other factors can influence its intensity and character: Hormones : Hormonal fluctuations, especially during puberty, menopause, or pregnancy, can affect sweat’s chemistry, leading to changes in its smell. Dec 15, 2023 · Natural Remedies for Body Odor. 3. Its smell can stick to your skin, mix with sweat and cause odor. Several factors can cause sweat to smell like vinegar. Pure sweat is generally odorless, but various factors—including diet, stress levels, and certain medical conditions—can lead to unpleasant odors. The thyroid, a small gland regulating metabolism, influences sweat composition. Hormonal imbalances, especially during menopause or puberty, can affect sweat production and composition, leading to stronger or altered body odor. When it comes to vinegar-like odors specifically, acetic acid—a compound found in vinegar—may have a role to play. Sometimes, the smell can even have a sharp, vinegar-like quality. This kind of sweat is the main cause of body odour. Jan 31, 2025 · Your body odor is influenced by a mix of sweat, skin bacteria, stress levels, and hormones. Mar 18, 2025 · Why does it sometimes smell like vinegar between my breasts? Sweat smelling like vinegar can be related to your diet. If sweat smells bad, then this is the simplest and easiest way to identify that something is wrong with your health. Moreover, consuming foods rich in sulfur—like garlic and onions—can impact body odor as well. Apr 29, 2021 · Sweat can smell like vinegar because of diseases such as diabetes, trichomycosis, and kidney disease, or because of hormone changes, certain foods, or skin infections. Contributing Factors to a Vinegary Smell. This is the principle motivation behind why a vinegary sweet smell ought to never be disregarded or essentially veiled. One such scent that may surprise individuals is a vinegar-like smell emanating from sweat. 7. But wait, there’s more! Perimenopause doesn’t just affect sweat glands. It can be a sign of skin infection. Here are 10 possible reasons your sweat smells like vinegar, what you can do about it, and how you can prevent sweat odors. Hygiene. **Dietary Factors:** Consuming certain foods such as garlic, onions, and spicy foods can cause your sweat to smell like vinegar due to the odorous compounds they contain. Aug 19, 2024 · But thanks to the sweat glands down there, at least we do know why vaginas and body odor can smell so similar. It isn’t the usual musty unclean smell, like you’ve been exercising. Red meat, dairy products, cruciferous vegetables, onions, and garlic are all associated with a change in body odor Oct 6, 2024 · If your sweat smells like vinegar, experts explain the causes: 1. When the chemicals in the sweat mix with bacteria, it causes a smell. Aug 25, 2024 · “What I discovered was that if you lower the pH of the skin, the bacteria responsible for body odor become paralyzed,” Dr. Excessive Sweat: Profuse sweating can create an environment ideal for bacterial growth, intensifying the vinegar smell. The odor of vinegar comes from acetic acid, which is found in vinegar. In rare cases, this odor could signal underlying health issues such as diabetes or kidney disease. thsu ikff xgw tqubyw drpgfegd fuxm frua hyssh vfelf nzwloezr