Body odour during pregnancy is a rather unpleasant surprise for many pregnant women. With the increase in hormones and other physical changes, a sudden smelly body can be an upsetting thing.
Dealing with body odour during pregnancy
Have you noticed a strange smell coming from your body lately? Or maybe you’re just noticing that you don’t smell like yourself.
As your baby grows, he or she will be taking up more space in your uterus, and this can cause it to expand.
This expansion can lead to fluid retention, which can also make your body feel fuller and heavier. As a result, smells that were normally masked by other odours will now start to stand out.
Common body odour during pregnancy
Body odour during pregnancy is a normal occurrence.
As your body changes and your hormones fluctuate, you may start to notice a change in the way you smell. It can be difficult, especially with morning sickness, fatigue, or other symptoms.
Here are some of the commonly experienced types of body odour during pregnancy:
- Vaginal odour
- Bad breath
- Foul tummy gas
- Stinky hair
Vaginal Odour: Everything You Need To Know About It
What are the causes of body odour during pregnancy?
The changes that come with pregnancy can be a hard pill to swallow. Many pregnant women experience bad body odour as early as the first 6 weeks of pregnancy.
Body odour is a normal thing when someone starts to change. It’s easier to understand than you might think at first.
Believe it or not, there are five sources of smelly smells that are not related to hygiene habits.
1. Hormonal changes
When you’re pregnant, your body goes through a lot of changes.
One of the most common (and least talked-about) changes is an increase in sweat production. It’s because of hormones, which increase your body temperature and sweat.
While this increased sweating can be annoying, it can also lead to body odour.
The combination of sweat and bacteria on the skin causes it too. The extra work it takes to grow a baby can lead to an increase in sweating.
All this extra sweat can lead to body odour during pregnancy if it isn’t managed well.
2. Increased blood flow and heart rate
When you are anxious, your heart rate and blood flow increase. sweat can build up in your armpits and feet. This can lead to foot odour and body odour in other parts of your body as well.
The extra blood flow means that your body temperature is higher, which can make you sweat more.
The increased heart rate also means that your body is working harder. This might lead to an increase in your body’s sweat, which can cause you to smell bad.
READ MORE:
Vaginal Odours: How to Sniff Out if Something’s Wrong Down There
Is Perfume Safe During Pregnancy?
Use of Natural Skincare During Pregnancy Can Actually Balance Your Hormones
3. Food you eat
Some foods can cause body odour in pregnant women. These foods are usually those that are high in sugar or alcohol content, such as wine, beer, and soda.
You might also notice a stronger smell when you’re pregnant if you’ve been eating spicy foods or drinking black coffee.
There is a good reason why pregnant women sweat more and smell more.
This is because the body produces more blood during pregnancy. And don’t worry! It’s normal to have a stronger scent than usual during pregnancy.
4. Changes in medications
Some medications can cause body odour in pregnant women. If you are taking any new medications, it is important to talk with your doctor about them.
Three of the most common medications that cause body odour:
Antibiotics: These drugs kill bacteria and are often used to treat infections. But, these kill some of the good bacteria in the digestive tract that help you digest food.
Diuretics: Diuretics make pregnant women pee a lot.
That helps when the blood pressure is too high. But when that happens, the medicines make mums sweat more than usual. It makes the bodies release an extra-strong smell.
Aspirin: Doctors sometimes tell their patients to take aspirin when they are pregnant.
It’s safe for them to do this, though they should only do it under the doctor’s supervision. Yet, aspirin can also cause an offensive smell in the vagina.
What are the causes of body odour during pregnancy?
5. Stress and anxiety
Pregnancy is one of the most wonderful and joyous times in a woman’s life. But, it can also be a time of great stress and anxiety. As well as experiencing physical changes, pregnant women can also experience emotional changes. This can sometimes lead to bad body odour.
The body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy. The increased production of sweat and hormones can make the body’s odour worse.
How can you prevent or reduce body odour during pregnancy?
Body odour during pregnancy is a common problem, but it’s not one that you have to live with. It’s easy to prevent or reduce body odour during your pregnancy with a few simple tips:
- Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing with breathable fabrics.
- Change your clothes more often.
- Make sure your deodorant or antiperspirant is safe for pregnant women.
- Shower after you exercise.
- Wash once a day with antibacterial soap.
- Apply a cream or powder to absorb sweat in problem areas.
- Speak with your healthcare provider.
Closeup photo of a pregnant woman holding a glass of water
Body odour during pregnancy: When should you be concerned?
During pregnancy, it’s not uncommon for women to experience changes in body odour. Some women find that they sweat more and have a stronger body odour.
Others may notice that theirs is milder. In most cases, these changes are nothing to worry about.
But, there are some symptoms of body odour during pregnancy that can be cause for concern.
If you notice a sudden change in your body’s smell, or if your body smells particularly strong, it could be a sign of an infection.
See a doctor if you’re worried about getting an infection. Infections can be serious during pregnancy.
If there’s itching or burning adding to your body odour, it might be a sign of an infection. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you should see your doctor for an evaluation.
How to reduce body odour after pregnancy
After nine long months of being pregnant, most women are ready to do anything to get rid of that pesky body odour.
The good news is, that there are a few easy ways to reduce body odour after pregnancy. These are like remedies and prevention during pregnancy.
First, make sure to shower regularly and use a mild soap. This will help to remove any sweat or bacteria that may be causing body odour. Also, use an antiperspirant or deodorant to help mask any body odour.
Finally, make sure to wear loose, breathable clothing. This will help to keep the body cool and dry, which will reduce body odour.
Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns or questions. Aside from the ones mentioned here, there are many different treatments available. Most of them are safe for pregnant women.
Try a few different remedies until you find one that works best for you. Keep in mind that it may take some time to see results. Be patient and stick with it. You will soon start to feel better and smell better too!
Also Read: Best Aluminum-Free Deodorants in Singapore That Are Safe For Pregnancy
Healthline, Momlovesbest, Cleveland Clinic
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