That Time My Armpits Betrayed Me: A Perimenopause Surprise

Yes, I'm at that age—the age when hormones decide to flip the script and your body starts doing weird things for no apparent reason. For me, the shift came literally overnight. One morning, I hugged my husband and said, " Good morning, and moments later, I had to apologize. Why? Because my armpits smelled like I'd been camping in a hot car. It wasn’t subtle. It was bad.

Naturally, I thought something was wrong with me. So,. I started showering twice a day, washing my clothes religiously, and applying deodorant as if it were my job… and still, the odor lingered. I tried to laugh it off.. But deep down, I was worried. Embarrassed. What was going on?

Fast forward to a visit with my dad and stepmother. While chatting, I casually mentioned my new “aroma” problem. My stepmother didn’t miss a beat: “Oh, that’s just perimenopause. You need a stronger deodorant.”

Wait—WHAT? B.O. is a hormonal thing? Apparently, yes. Welcome to the magic of perimenopause, where your pH balance, sweat glands, and body chemistry go rogue.

I wasted no time. I drove straight to the store and picked up not one, but two clinical strength deodorants. Desperation? Maybe. Smart move? Definitely. I used both for a few days (layering like a warrior), then slowly switched to one once I felt safe from my own pits.

The winner?Secret Clinical Strength — both the stick and the spray. Game changer. Life saver. Marriage saver? No, not really, my husband loves me for better or worse.

Once I stopped smelling like a gym bag, I felt comfortable enough to share this story with a group. And wouldn’t you know it, a woman came up to me afterward and said, “I thought it was just me.”And that’s why I’m writing this.

If you’re dealing with the sudden betrayal of your armpits during perimenopause, hear me loud and clear: You are not gross, and you are not alone. You're just hormonal. And there's deodorant for that.

My Tips for Surviving the Sudden Smell Shift:

• Try a clinical strength deodorant. Secret Clinical worked for me.

• Consider both stick and spray options.

• Showering more helps, but it’s not the only solution—hormones need additional support.

• Share your story. You never know who needs to hear “me too.”

So that’s my not-so-glamorous, slightly embarrassing, but totally real perimenopause story. Feel free to laugh. I did. Eventually.

Got a similar story? Drop it in the comments. Let’s normalize the weird.