Natural Responses to Menopausal Symptoms

A. Vogel menopause expert and Crystal Spring's guest blogger, Eileen Durward, discusses some of the more personal symptoms of the menopause, and the natural products available to combat these symptoms

There are mountains of information available about the most common symptoms in the menopause, but there are some that are not really talked about. They are very personal and you may not even want to discuss them with your best friends – today I am talking about intimate body odour. 

We get lots of emails from women worried about the smell of their vagina during the menopause. This can cause real distress regarding how they smell going to work or with their friends and family and even during sex. It can really rock their confidence, which is often affected anyway at this time. I will try and explain what may be going on and how you can help yourself.

Why is it happening?

Firstly:

Falling oestrogen can affect the production of mucus in the vagina and this in turn can cause dryness and irritation and even infection. The lack of mucus, which is slightly acidic to help keep infection out, can also affect the balance of friendly bacteria in the vagina; and both these factors can result in a different smell. 

Secondly:

Falling oestrogen can actually affect our sense of smell and taste during the menopause – a bit like hormonal changes in pregnancy causing a liking for foods you once didn’t like or vice versa, or that your favourite perfume now makes you feel sick. This hormonal change can cause a heightened sense of smell too; so although you think you are ‘a bit smelly’, no one else actually notices it!

What can you do for this?

If you suddenly notice you smell different, especially if you feel any irritation or are getting a strange discharge, it is important to get this checked by your doctor to make sure there is no infection present.

As long as you are not on any hormonal contraception or HRT you could try a fermented soya supplement. This is traditionally used to gently raise and balance oestrogen, so may help increase the vaginal mucus. You could also add in a daily Sea Buckthorn Oil supplement to counter dryness.

A probiotic supplement can also be helpful here especially if you have recently had antibiotics, which can affect the vaginal balance of friendly bacteria.