My biggest menopause problem is finding a deodorant that works. I am normally a fresh, clean-smelling person who enjoys wearing lovely perfume, but now I smell sweaty half an hour after having a bath. Please have you any tips!

Keeping fresh can be really difficult in the menopause specially if you do experience a lot of flushes or sweats so it is really extra important that you don't overload your system with lots of chemicals both from foods and also what you put on your skin.

Using organic or natural products can make a difference especially with deodorants/antiperspirants. Using a natural deodrant product such as Salt of the Earth deodorants would be a good first step. Salt of the Earth natural deodorants are made with 100% natural ingredients and provide effective protection against body odour in 4 formats (spray, roll on, balm and crystal rock), which are available in a variety of fragrances, as well as unscented.

To help keep hot flushes and sweats under control try Sage extract to counter these, and the rebalancing of your sweat-regulating mechanism may also help with the smell.

Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water so that you’re not getting dehydrated, which worsens any smell.

Constipation can make the problem worse; so do make sure that your bowels are working well. If you get constipated, are a bit sluggish or have had antibiotics within the last 2 years then you could try a probiotic for a few months.

From a Naturopathic point of view, your feet are one of the major sweating areas and if they are covered up or smothered in man-made fibres and shoes then they cannot do their job, so more pressure is put on other areas of the body. Try going barefoot around the house and in the garden when the weather warms up.

Eileen Durward