During pregnancy, it is common to feel certain discomforts that are usually common to most women, such as fatigue, nausea, heartburn or constipation. But there are also other lesser known annoyances that it is necessary to talk about, as they often cause concern or concern in the pregnant woman.
One of these annoyances is related to the changes that occur in body odor; Is it normal for body and vaginal odor to increase during pregnancy? Why is it and how can it be combated? We clarify all doubts.
Hormones and body odor during pregnancy
Pregnancy hormones are largely responsible for many of the symptoms and changes that appear throughout the nine months. One of the changes that pregnant women frequently experience is the alteration of their own body odor .
And there are many women who perceive that the smell they give off has varied since they became pregnant, becoming more intense and lasting. These changes in body odor are due to a set of factors that we will analyze below.
Olfactory sensitivity
To begin with, it is important to note that a woman’s smell is substantially altered during pregnancy. This makes the smells (and also the flavors) that you used to like – or at least, went unnoticed – are now unpleasant; including one’s own body odor . This physiological alteration caused by the increase in estrogen is called hyperosmia.
Increased sweating
Sweat has the function of purifying toxins from the body and helping to lower body temperature. In this sense, it is normal for sweating to increase during pregnancy , as the body temperature of the pregnant woman rises compared to that of other people, as does her thermal sensation.
Some women find that the smell of their sweat is stronger than the one they had before pregnancy. This is due to the action of hormones and the special sensitivity to odors that we have discussed before.
Increased vaginal discharge
Some women are scared when they notice changes in the vaginal mucosa during pregnancy, but there is nothing to be alarmed about. Due to hormonal changes, the flow increases in quantity, it becomes darker and its smell may also change slightly.
But in no case should this smell be perceived as something unpleasant , especially strong or rancid. If this happens, the midwife or gynecologist should be consulted immediately, as it is possible that there is some type of infection.
Urine leaks
Urinary incontinence is very common in the third trimester of pregnancy. In general, these are small urine leaks that occur when the woman laughs, coughs, sneezes, makes some effort … This is due to the pressure that the uterus, increasingly enlarged, exerts on the bladder ( although it is also important to rule out that these losses occur as a result of an infection).
Although urinary incontinence is not serious, if the losses are frequent it can become a really uncomfortable and annoying problem for the pregnant woman and also cause a bad smell.
Halitosis
Many pregnant women suffer from halitosis or unpleasant breath odor . Among the causes that cause it are poor digestion, heartburn, changes in the composition of saliva and also the typical nausea that can be accompanied by vomiting.
Other typical pregnancy oral problems, such as gingivitis or inflamed gums, can also cause bad breath. The same occurs with problems related to breathing during rest, since sleeping with the mouth open hinders the production of saliva, increases dry mouth and worsens odor.
How to combat body odor during pregnancy
If this issue worries you, and you also think that it is not only a question of greater olfactory sensitivity , you can put into practice the following tips to try to keep your body odor at bay:
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To dress, use loose-fitting garments and preferably cotton (including your underwear), since they allow better perspiration of sweat, preventing it from being retained in the fibers and producing a bad smell.
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Increase the frequency of your daily showers if this helps you feel better, but remember to use natural and respectful soaps with the PH of your skin.
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For the care of your intimate hygiene, always opt for soaps with a neutral PH and specific for that area, but do not abuse them, as you could destroy the vaginal flora and increase the risk of infections. Also, do not perform vaginal washes.
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Drink plenty of water , as this will not only help you to be properly hydrated, replenish fluids and avoid heat stroke, but it will also make your sweat less concentrated and its smell less strong.
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Certain foods and drinks can cause changes in the smell of sweat, such as caffeine, spicy foods, foods with excess fat or chocolates. On the contrary, increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables that, in addition, will benefit you in many other aspects.
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In case of frequent urine leakage it is recommended that you consult with the midwife. She will show you how to do Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor and help you combat this problem. In addition, you can use compresses that protect you against the bad smell, discomfort and humidity of the leaks.
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Regarding the bad smell of the breath, it is necessary to take extreme oral hygiene, use neutral toothpastes and without foaming agents and visit the dentist for a check-up at least once throughout the pregnancy.
In summary, although it is understandable that the subject worries you, we recommend not obsessing over it as it is most likely about specific changes in smell that will disappear in a short time . In the meantime, you can try fighting it with these simple tips.
Be very concerned when using cosmetic or hygiene products, as some can be aggressive for your skin or even not recommended for the health of your pregnancy. If you have any questions or the issue of body odor especially worries you, do not forget to consult with your doctor or midwife .
Photos | iStock, Pexels
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