03/06/2026
So I have decided to do a series on:
The Weird đ & the Why đ€ that we experience as peri/menopause women.
And as weird as they may be, there is often a reason behind why we are experiencing them.
Todayâs Weirdđ :- Phantom Smells đ
For no reason, I suddenly start to smell burning or cigarette smoke, or just a very unpleasant smell that kinda makes me feel sickly.
The Why đ€
As our hormone levels start to fluctuate, particularly Oestrogen, it can affect the Olfactory system - the part of the brain responsible for our sense of smell.
Most of us think of Oestrogen as a reproductive hormone, but it actually influences many parts of the body, including the brain and nervous system.
For some women, these hormonal changes can make smells seem stronger than they really are. For others, the brain can occasionally interpret signals weirdly and create a smell that isn't actually there.
These are known as Phantom Smells.
As strange as it sounds, when a Phantom Smell strikes me, I try to smell something real, like an essential oil I use in my Aromatherapy Massage, which has the double benefit of beginning my sense of smell back into the real world, and as well as enjoying the therapeutic benefits of the essential oil.
Isn't it fascinating how hormones can influence something as simple as our sense of smell? đŻ
I would love to hear if you have experienced Phantom Smells during peri/menopause?
Or is it just me? đđ«Ł