Change in sense of smell and taste during menopause

Menopause stands for change, but many are unaware of just how much our bodies actually change. An intact sense of smell is essential for our safety and well-being. Did you know that the senses of smell and taste can temporarily change during menopause?

Some women report that spices suddenly smell different or that food tastes unusual.

"Now I understand why I often think I'm no longer cooking well or that spices are missing. My three men at home like it as always – I thought they were just saying it to please me."

Myth or Fact: Does the sense of smell change during menopause?

A study has shown that the ability to distinguish smells can indeed decrease during menopause. The reason lies in hormonal changes: estrogen and progesterone normally protect olfactory function. Fluctuations in these hormones can affect the perception and recognition of odors.

Sometimes, however, medications are also responsible for a change in the sense of smell.

Hormones in Chaos

Estrogen has a significant impact on our bodies – especially on saliva and mucous membranes. A drop in estrogen levels can reduce saliva production, causing the mucous membranes to become drier and thinner. This also affects the mucous membranes in the mouth and nose.

Saliva helps break down food into chemical components that are perceived by taste buds. If the oral mucosa is too dry, the sense of taste can be limited or altered. The olfactory receptors in the nose are also affected by these hormonal changes. Additionally, neurological factors such as brain fog can influence odor perception.

Sensory cells age too

The changes during menopause are not only hormonal – sensory cells also undergo a natural aging process. With increasing age, the number of taste buds and olfactory receptors decreases, which can also affect the sense of smell and taste.

Sudden aversion to certain smells

Some women report that they suddenly find certain smells unpleasant or even nauseating. Hormonal changes could play a role, but they don't have to be the only cause.

The phenomenon is familiar to many women from pregnancy: nausea is a natural protective mechanism of the body. Research has shown that women who are pregnant with boys, in particular, experience nausea more often. The reason: Testosterone levels rise early on, and cortisol levels are also elevated in the second trimester of pregnancy. Both hormones affect the immune system – possibly also the increased feeling of nausea.

"I've had an aversion to meat for over a year. Could this be related to perimenopause?" – hermaid user, 48 years old.

"I have persistent nausea in phases, and I have difficulty tasting food. Currently, I react extremely to vinegar. I can barely eat the salad my husband marinates – even though he hasn't changed the preparation." – another woman

What can help?

It is important to listen to your own body and avoid odors that trigger discomfort.

The aging of sensory cells cannot be stopped, but it can be slowed down:

✅ Regular exercise: Promotes blood circulation and thus the supply of mucous membranes
✅ Stress management: Try to get your cortisol levels under control by paying more attention to recovery phases
✅ Abstinence from stimulants: Cigarettes and alcohol can permanently damage taste buds
✅ Use natural fragrances: Studies show that pleasant smells can reduce stress and increase well-being

Unable to smell yourself anymore...

In fact, body odor also changes during menopause. Causes can be increased sweating or a rise in testosterone levels. "Help, I stink!" In this article, we explain more about this. Since the sense of smell can also change in parallel, many women perceive their own body odor more intensely than it actually is.¹

Attention if you smell different "down there"

If your urine suddenly smells more intense or unpleasant, a urinary tract infection could be behind it. This is common during menopause and should promptly be clarified by a doctor.