strong underarm odor

[idealist]

just wondering how many of you suffer from stinky underarms? some info about me: 28 y/o, 5' 5", 110lbs. diagnosed with PCOS at around 25. symptoms: didn't have a period for 4 months, irregular periods, acne, cystic "pearls" on ovaries.

in highschool, i began to sweat (and stink) excessively from my underarms. i tried many different deodorants/anit-pers, but nothing worked. around the age of 23 i discovered Certain Dri. that worked to stop the sweat, but not the smell.

just recently, with all the news about the dangers of aluminum in deodorants i looked for a natural remedy. at this time my sweating stoped (which i not sure if it was due to years of the certain dri or a change going low-carb/low-sugar diet) but not the SMELL. i found WHITE VINEGAR is the only thing that worked to cover the smell. wish i had discovered this years ago.

anyhow, just curious if this is a common symptom of PCOS?

[StrawberryStar]

I used to sweat alot when my blood sugar was low, especially in high school when I would skip lunch (once again trying to lose weight). I don't know if that has anything to do with it, but I think my low blood sugar problem is related to PCOS.

[hopeless]

I've heard of people using saunas to detox, and that they actually started to smell like chemicals/smoke/meds/etc. that they were detoxing. Perhaps sweating out the toxins may help in the long run....get it all out, and be done with it. At the very least, it would be relaxing...

[vamphile]

i was having an issue with it earlier this summer.

i decided that i would switch from the suave that i was using it, to dove deoderant and antiepersperant,and voila, problem solved.

now, mine wasn't too extreme and i just think suave naturals and secret doesn't work for ME.

[bethers]

I also have this problem.
I found that switching from a Deodorant to an Antipersperant or an Antipersperant / Deodorant combo helped. Another thing that really helped was wearing cotton bras. I guess my body odour really has a chemical reaction with anything else - and the result was really bad! Yuck!
Only cotton bras for from now on.

[soulfulqween]

if your blood sugar is off balance you will have a stronger odor...try wiping your arm pits with an alcohol swab...strong odor is almost always caused by bacteria on the skin...gross i know, and this doesnt mean you dont shower well...however u might want to change your wash clothes, towels, and bed sheets more frequently...wash with anti bacterial soap...and really try that alcohol swab thing....HTH GL

[mammalee]

I would always complain about this and my husband would tell me I was crazy. That I smelled fine. Of course, I blamed the fact that he was naturally a stinky boy. But it finally dawned on me that your sense of smell can be stronger at some times than others. I think that is what happened with me -- because I realized the same times I thought I smelled horrid, I could smell coffee brewing from 100 yards. It usually had to do with my cycle.

But another thing that helps with odor is (and the alcohol is a great idea but it evaporates quickly) is to put neosporin or polysporin under your arms.

[babygrl]

Idealist,

how exactly do u use white vinegar for your underarms.

[Dana H]

I am new to the message boards. I've was dianosed with PCOS 9 years ago at 21 years old. In the last couple years I've been really bothered by excessive underarm persperation (sometimes odor is a problem too). My Dr. tested my thyroid thinking that could be the cause. Is there actually a link between PCOS and excessive persperation.

I don't take any meds for PCOS.... well, exect for BC pills which I have been on since I was diagnosed.

[psychcrzylucy]

I've had this strong underarm odor for years....Does the white vinegar really work? How about the nasty yellow stains on white clothes...do you by any chance know how to get rid of them?

[Emantha]

wow!, i never considered using neosporin, but that does make sense.... i have always had really bad problems with sweating, and have tried virtually every antiperspirant on the market. I am currently using speed stick gel for men, and for the moment, it is working.

For anyone who has had this problem and "ruined" their t shirt with the smell that doesn't seem to want to come out ( ie. as soon as you put your top on the smell is back) my mom found out years ago that washing my tops with pet stain and odor remover would "save" my tops from having to be thrown out. (told ya i had this problem for a long time!)
Glad to nkow i am not the only cyster with this problem!

[Chula]

I have noticed this just recently it was a very foul smell I hated it I even washed extra in that area and it didn't go away!!! I threw the older can of secret away and started to use the new one and it has went away but concern is still there incase it comes back.

[TommysGirl]

Queen...Thanks for the tip about the alcohol. It has really helped me!!!! I would use my bodywash and soap and still had stinky armpits. I have been using it since your post and it has been great!!!

[notcrazy]

I like Burt's Bees Deoderant. It isn't an anitpersprant but it covers odor nicely and it's all natural and does not contain metals. It also does not make your shirts turn yellow. If you start getting a little stinky, just spritz a bit more on.

[azumarisan]

I'm in Australia so i don't know if you guys have this over there, but i used to have the odour and the stains a couple of years ago and i found a "soap" to use...its actually a mineral stone and you wash with that.
I found for me that was really effective. I can't remember the name i just know it was a kind of mineral stone in the shape of a block of soap.
We can buy it from the pharmacy here (drugstore).
It could be an alternative if nothing else is working...