Menopause brings plenty of changes, but not all of them are widely talked about.
While hot flushes and night sweats are well-known symptoms, some of the more subtle ones, like changes in our senses, can come as a bit of a surprise.
Many women experience changes in taste, smell, and even skin sensitivity during menopause and these shifts can affect how you enjoy food, interact with your environment, and can even impact your emotional wellbeing.
Let’s take a closer look at how menopause affects your senses and how Arella Pause can help you manage these changes so you feel more comfortable in your body.
Can Menopause Change Your Taste Buds?
Changes in taste can catch you off guard during menopause; food you’ve always enjoyed may seem bland, or you might notice a bitter or metallic taste that lingers after eating.
It’s not always dramatic, either; sometimes things just don’t taste quite as they should.
Menopause may play a part, as hormonal changes can affect saliva production, and saliva helps you taste food as well as keeping your mouth moist. If your mouth has been feeling drier, you may also find that meals taste different or are less enjoyable.
A bitter taste in your mouth during perimenopause can be particularly frustrating, especially when it keeps coming back, but hormones aren’t the only possible cause: dental problems, indigestion and some medicines can also affect taste. If it isn’t going away, a dentist or GP can help you work out what’s behind it.
For a dry mouth, try sipping water throughout the day or chewing sugar-free gum. You may be tempted to add stronger flavours to everything, but acidic foods and hot spices can irritate a sore mouth.
Start with foods you find comfortable to eat, and try different herbs or ingredients to see what appeals to you.
Can Menopause Change Your Sense of Smell?
Some women notice that smells seem stronger or less pleasant around menopause. Your usual perfume might suddenly feel overpowering, or the smell of someone’s lunch may bother you when it never did before.
When familiar scents become difficult to tolerate, a trip to the supermarket or a busy commute can feel really uncomfortable.
Whether hormones are directly responsible is still unclear. Researchers have studied changes in smell after menopause, but it’s difficult to separate the effects of hormonal changes from those of ageing. Still, many women report it as a common complaint during menopause.
If certain scents are bothering you, try cutting back on fragranced products at home and opening a window while cooking. You don’t need to replace one fragrance with another; leaving out scented candles, room sprays or perfume may be enough to make your surroundings more comfortable.
A persistent change, a smell with no obvious source or a loss of smell is worth discussing with your GP. Allergies, sinus problems and infections can all affect your sense of smell, so don’t assume it’s something you have to accept as part of menopause.
Can Menopause Cause Skin Sensitivity?
Some women notice that their skin becomes drier and more sensitive during menopause. A favourite jumper might start to feel scratchy, or a skincare product you’ve used for years may suddenly sting.
As oestrogen levels fall, your skin becomes less able to hold onto moisture, leaving it more prone to dryness and irritation. This can make clothes rubbing against your skin uncomfortable, even if they’ve never bothered you before.
Soft, breathable fabrics and a fragrance-free moisturiser can help. You may also find a simpler skincare routine suits you better for a while, particularly if scented products or exfoliators irritate your skin.
Take a look at our guide to itchy skin during menopause here.
How Arella Pause Can Support You
When familiar foods taste different, or your skin feels more sensitive, it can be another frustration on top of everything else menopause brings.
Understanding these changes can help you decide what you need, whether that’s adjusting your skincare, getting advice or looking at your daily nutrition.
We created Arella Pause to offer nutritional support through perimenopause, menopause and beyond.
Our vegan formula combines sage, red clover, and pine bark extracts with a blend of vitamins in one daily sachet.
The key ingredients in our menopause supplement support many aspects of your wellbeing as you enter the next stage of life; vitamin B6 helps regulate hormonal activity, while B6 and B12 help reduce tiredness and fatigue and support normal psychological function.
Biotin helps maintain normal skin and hair, and selenium supports normal hair and nails. Vitamin E helps protect cells from oxidative stress, while vitamin D supports normal bones and muscle function.
We’ve brought these ingredients together to support hormonal activity, energy levels and skin health in one daily sachet, making Arella Pause a simple addition to your menopause routine.
We also wanted it to be easy to take, so each sachet has a mixed berry flavour and is ready to enjoy, with no powders to measure or drinks to prepare. Take one a day, following the directions on your pack, whether that’s with breakfast or at another time that suits you.
Of course, nutritional support is only one part of looking after yourself during menopause. If changes in your senses persist, it’s worth getting advice about what’s causing them.
You can adjust your routine and seek help at the same time; you don’t need to wait until symptoms become too difficult to manage.
