Women typically experience body odor concentrated in their underarms, their genitalia, and their feet. All three of these places have a tendency to be moist, which allows odor-causing bacteria to grow and multiply. Ordinary sweat is usually to blame, but some women have hormonal imbalances or other medical conditions that make excessive perspiration more likely. Odor also tends to be more noticeable in women with poor hygiene and unhealthy diets. In most cases regularly bathing and using products like deodorant and anti-fungal foot cream can prevent problems, but medical intervention is sometimes necessary.
Sweat
Human sweat glands are located throughout the body, but tend to be most noticeable, at least where smell is concerned, in moist environments that are more or less closed off to regular air flow. Female body odor from sweat tends to originate in the underarms and the groin; sometimes the feet, too, particularly when women have been wearing tight-fitting shoes or shoes without socks.
Perspiration has a recognizable pungent smell that many biologists believe is a part of human’s evolutionary heritage. A range of over-the-counter products have been manufactured specifically to mask or stop the smell of sweat. Deodorants are the most popular, and tend to come in the form of roll-on solids, gels, or sprays. These are usually intended to cover the smell of sweat, but don’t normally decrease the amount of sweat that is present.
People who perspire a lot often find that ordinary deodorants aren’t enough to control either the smell or amount of their sweat. In these cases, products labeled antiperspirant may be a better option. Antiperspirants actually stop the sweat from forming in the first place by blocking pores or temporarily disabling the sweat glands.
Bacterial Growth
A different sort of odor can happen when bacteria begin to grow out of mucus or sweat-based secretions, which is most common in a woman’s vagina and feet. Vaginal secretions are a normal part of reproductive health, but they often create an ideal breeding ground for odor-causing bacterial strains, and when these multiply, women can find that their genitals are releasing a foul, sour smell. The same thing happens with sweaty feet. The sweat gets trapped between the foot and the shoe, creating a moist and steamy environment where odors can grow and thrive.
One of the easiest ways for women to reduce this sort of odor is to make sure that these areas stay mostly dry. Wearing cotton socks and underwear is often a good place to start, particularly when these are changed every few hours or after they start to feel damp. Exposing the areas to regular airflow can also be beneficial. With feet this often means going barefoot for at least a portion of each day; for vaginal secretions, sleeping without underwear can sometimes help.
Hormonal Imbalances
Body odor can also be caused by imbalances in a woman’s hormone level. Hormones, which are chemicals in the body that impact everything from emotions to sexual attraction, are constantly in flux, and can play a role in sweat and other bodily secretions. A woman with a chemical imbalance may experience odd odors or unusual sweat until things stabilize. The effects are often the most noticeable in the days leading up to the menstrual cycle when hormones tend to fluctuate somewhat dramatically, though certain medical conditions and some prescription drugs can make unpleasant odors more noticeable. Women who are concerned about odors or who are worried that they might have a chemical imbalance are usually encouraged to talk to their doctors. Certain medications and lifestyle changes can help keep things balanced and keep odors and secretions under control.
Poor Hygiene
Smelliness may also be a factor of poor hygiene. Women who don’t bathe or shower frequently can experience compounded sweat and bacteria on their skin and mucus membranes. How often a person needs to bathe varies from person to person, though washing up after strenuous activity, sweat from warm temperatures, or time in sticky, messy environments is typically considered a minimum. Wearing freshly laundered clothes can also help.
Women who don’t brush their teeth or only brush infrequently may also experience body odor in the form of bad breath, which is known medically as halitosis. This is usually caused by bacteria that have multiplied in the moist spaces of the throat and gum beds. In minor cases toothpaste and mouthwash can cure the problem, but specialized medications may be required when the problem has been going on for some time.
Diet
The specific foods a person eats can also cause changes in body odor, often making things seem more pungent. Women who consume a lot of caffeine or alcohol often complain of excessive sweating, for instance, which can lead to bad body odor if left untreated by deodorants or antiperspirants. Foods that are fried or high in saturated fats can also impact the smell of sweat and other secretions, and eating large amounts of pungent foods like garlic, cabbage, or onions can sometimes cause smelliness, too. Experts usually recommend that women eat a varied diet with a balance of fruits and vegetables, grains, and proteins to avoid this and other problems.
Medical Solutions
Not all female body odor can be treated with changes to hygiene, diet, or lifestyle. Some medical conditions cause bad smells that are difficult to control, and women who have overactive sweat glands may not be able to control their sweat with regular self-care products. Healthcare experts may be able to help in these cases. Sweat glands can often be temporarily paralyzed or disabled with certain injections, for instance, and prescription-strength deodorants and antiperspirants are available though many doctors. Pharmaceutical drugs are often used to balance hormones, and specialized creams for both the genitals and the feet can control bacterial growth and prevent infections and outbreaks.
