PCOS and body odor: The hidden link and treatment ways

PCOS is a widespread hormonal disorder that causes a whole range of internal and external symptoms. Although changes in the smell of your skin are not typically listed among the most common symptoms, there is actually a link between PCOS and body odor. According to research, PCOS can affect your smell through:

• Hormonal changes
• Insulin resistance
• Stress
• Skin issues that complicate hygiene

Of course, noticing stronger or more pungent body odor can have certain psychological and social implications, and increase anxiety. Luckily, it’s possible to solve this issue through dietary adjustments, hydration, hygiene and topical treatments, natural remedies, stress management, and PCOS treatment (aka hormonal therapy). Also, it’s possible to treat excessive sweating medically.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that’s rather prevalent among women of reproductive age. By impacting your hormonal balance, PCOS causes a range of deep changes in your body, both inner and external. Among the most common external symptoms are hair loss and weight gain. Yet, there might also be less common but still existent external changes, such as a distinct body odor.

In this guide, we will explore the connection between PCOS and body odor and suggest effective management options!

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Does PCOS Cause Body Odor?

If you look at the most common symptoms of PCOS, body order is typically not listed among them. Still, it frequently appears as one of the reported issues.

At this point, there is still a limited amount of research on PCOS and body odor, which makes it hard to pinpoint the exact percentage of women with PCOS who face this issue. Yet, specialists agree that deep inner changes associated with this condition can indeed affect the smell of your body, in particular, through the following pathways:

• Hormonal changes - Increased androgens found in PCOS females are believed to affect the work of apocrine sweat glands (located in the armpits and groin) and increase oil and sweat production.
• Insulin resistance - Found in roughly 65-70% of PCOS females, insulin resistance affects your body on a cell level and can alter your skin microbiome and odor through metabolic changes.
• Stress - Increased production of stress hormones (cortisol) is also a common issue in PCOS. This hormone has been found in human sweat, meaning that excessive stress might be associated with increased sweating and a stronger smell.
• Skin issues - PCOS is also known to cause a range of skin-related issues, including psoriasis, acne, and dark patches. These skin diseases can complicate your everyday hygiene, which can affect your skin odor as well.

What Does PCOS Body Odor Smell Like?

The signs and nature of body odor PCOS can vary significantly from one woman to another. The severity or type of smell can change depending on multiple individual factors, including age, weight, or other underlying health conditions. Yet, many women report a common tendency– stronger or more pungent body odor than usual, especially in the armpits and feet. Some females also report changes in the color and intensiveness of their sweat, noticing that it’s more yellowish than usual.

In addition to sweat changes, quite a few women with PCOS report changes in their vaginal discharge. This can involve an unusual or smelly odor and more sticky mucus.

Psychological and Social Impact of Body Odor PCOS

Now that you already know about the possible link between PCOS and body odor, and before we move on to exploring effective managing options, it’s worth spending a few moments discovering the impact of a changing body odor in PCOS. Although it may not sound like something that’s too bad, in reality, PCOS body odor can have a significant psychological and social impact on women.

Although body odor is a natural thing, there is still a lot of stigma surrounding it. In many Western countries, the natural smell of a body is considered unpleasant. Studies show that it can even affect first-impression judgments and spontaneous attributions of personality traits based solely on smell.

Naturally, such a response from society can have a significant psychological impact on a person dealing with PCOS-related odor changes, causing them to:

• Feel embarrassed;
• Avoid social and professional situations;
• Develop social anxiety and even depression.

In the long run, these psychological implications can further worsen your own perception of your body order, leading to greater anxiety. 

PCOS Body Odor Treatment: 6 Effective Management Options

Although an unpleasant body odor can develop naturally due to PCOS-related changes and can have a certain psychological and social impact, the good news is that you can address the issue in a number of ways.

Here are several lifestyle and medical solutions that you can try to get rid of body odor PCOS or prevent it:

1. Diet

Following a well-balanced and healthy diet is one of the key ways to address a variety of PCOS changes and symptoms. In particular, thoughtful nutrition can help you promote hormonal balance, address insulin resistance, and manage your weight effectively. Additionally, a proper diet can affect how your body smells and help get rid of an unpleasant odor.

To improve the smell of your body, you want to eat clean and whole foods, minimizing the intake of sugary and overly processed foods. Also, you may want to avoid certain foods that can intensify body odor, such as red meats, garlic, alcohol, asparagus, etc.

2. Hydration

Just like nutrition, proper hydration is pivotal for your overall health. It’s known to improve your skin, digestion, cognitive function, blood pressure, and many other bodily features.

On top of that, staying hydrated is also crucial for managing your sweating function. In particular, drinking plenty of water can prevent you from sweating too much and dilute sweat concentration, leading to a less prominent smell.

3. Hygiene and Topical Care

Apart from addressing your body odor on the inside, through nutrition and hydration, you can also achieve tangible improvements through hygiene and topical solutions.

Here are some tips that can help you:

• Start washing more frequently. It’s generally recommended to wash problem areas like armpits, groin, and feet at least twice a day.
• Choose the right washing products. Opt for a good antibacterial soap instead of fancy perfumed body wash.
• After washing, dry your skin thoroughly and apply clinical-strength deodorants.
• Use exfoliation. Regular exfoliation in the area of the armpits can help you remove dead skin cells (and, thus, bacteria) and improve your smell.
• Choose your clothes thoughtfully. Switch to breathable, moisture-wicking clothing instead of wearing synthetic materials that can contribute to unpleasant odor.

4. Natural Remedies

If you are wondering how to get rid of PCOS body odor in a natural way, you can also consider using some popular natural remedies, such as:

• Apple cider vinegar mixed with a bit of water and used as an armpit spray.
• Baking soda mixed with water to a state of a paste and applied to the armpits.
• Green tea bags soaked in warm water applied under the armpits for several minutes every day.

These and other natural remedies are thought to reduce bacteria, block pores, and minimize body odor. You can try different options to see how well they work for you.

5. Stress Management

Although the specific reasons for this are still not fully clear, a growing body of knowledge confirms that there is a link between one’s emotional well-being and body odor. Scientists believe that such a bodily response to emotional factors might be a part of the mechanism of human nonverbal communication–through the smell.

In particular, there is an association between severe, chronic stress and unpleasant odor. Thus, implementing effective stress management techniques like mindfulness, journaling, yoga, and others can also help address the issue.

6. PCOS Treatment

Lastly, if you are wondering how to get rid of PCOS body odor, it makes pretty good sense to start by treating the root of the problem–PCOS. Using hormonal therapies and taking insulin medicines like metformin, can help you address the core issues associated with PCOS, such as hormonal fluctuations, cycle irregularity, and insulin resistance. This, in turn, should help improve all the other symptoms, including body odor.

Bonus tip: Apart from getting medical treatment for PCOS, it’s also possible to receive treatment for excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). You need to consult with a doctor to find a treatment that suits you. Common solutions include prescription antiperspirants, nerve-blocking medications and antidepressants, and botulinum toxin injections. 

When to Get Medical Help

In many cases, body odor PCOS can be managed through lifestyle and natural remedies mentioned above. However, in some cases, there might be a need to seek medical help.

In particular, you may want to consider medical PCOS body odor treatment if you notice a very sudden change in the smell of your body or feel a very strong or unusual smell that persists despite hygiene or lifestyle changes.

In this case, you may want to see a dermatologist or endocrinologist for primary consultation. A healthcare specialist will help you define the primary cause behind your odor and find effective treatments.

FAQ

Does PCOS cause body odor?

Though it may not be obvious, there is a link between PCOS and body odor. The current body of knowledge suggests that PCOS can change the way you smell through hormonal imbalance and enhanced androgens, insulin resistance, chronic stress, and skin issues that can complicate hygiene.

What does PCOS body odor smell like?

The smell can vary depending on a variety of factors, including individual characteristics and lifestyle. However, most females with PCOS report generally stronger and more pungent body odor. Some also notice an unusual or smelly vaginal odor and changes in discharge.

How to get rid of PCOS body odor?

It takes a holistic approach to effectively address PCOS and body odor. Some of the most efficient management tactics include dietary adjustments, hydration, hygiene and topical treatments, natural remedies, stress management, and PCOS treatment (aka hormonal therapy). Also, there are some sweat-specific treatments, such as prescription antiperspirants, nerve-blocking medications and antidepressants, and botulinum toxin injections.

Conclusion

So, can PCOS cause body odor? As you now know, there might be a direct, though not very obvious, link between this condition and the smell of your body. In particular, PCOS can change your odor through hormonal and metabolic pathways, and it can have certain psychological and social implications. Yet, the good news is that it’s possible to manage this issue with the right tactics.

If you start noticing a changing body odor, don’t ignore this symptom. Use the management tips we shared with you here to improve the smell of your body and address other PCOS symptoms at the same time. And don't hesitate to seek medical advice if needed–it takes holistic care to achieve a persistent result.

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