Hormones and Halitosis: What’s the Link?
We often talk about how hormonal shifts in perimenopause affect mood, skin, sleep, and your menstrual cycle—but what about your breath?
If you're navigating irregular periods, this might be something you've never connected. A recent study[1] has opened up a fascinating and under-discussed area: the link between hormonal changes and halitosis—aka bad breath.
Don’t forget to see your dentist!
Before we dive into the research, it’s worth saying—if you’re noticing changes in your breath, it’s always a good idea to check in with your dentist first. Around 85% of halitosis cases start in the mouth, so it’s important to rule out things like infection or gum disease. But if everything checks out, your hormones could be the next place to look.
The Hormone–Halitosis Connection
The study used a validated, expert-reviewed online questionnaire to survey over 1,000 Saudi women aged 18+, collecting data on their menstrual cycles, oral health habits, and perceptions of bad breath. Responses were analysed statistically to explore links between hormonal changes and halitosis.
While the study included women aged 18 and up, 12% were of menopausal age (defined as 45 years and older). And the results of this research are especially relevant for women in perimenopause because irregular cycles and fluctuating hormones are some of the most common symptoms as we move towards menopause when periods stop all together. If you've noticed changes in your breath and wondered why, this could be part of the picture.
The Results
- Around 62% noticed bad breath at some point, and nearly 27.5% said it changed during their cycle.
- Women with irregular periods were more likely to notice bad breath at different times of the month, about one-third compared to a quarter of women with regular cycles.
- Women who reported hormonal disturbances also experienced more changes in breath and related oral symptoms like dry mouth, bleeding gums, and bad taste.
- These breath changes had a real social impact—women noticed they hesitated to talk, felt uncomfortable, or worried about how others perceived them.
- Importantly, menopausal women reported these social effects more strongly than younger women.
Why Does This Happen?
Hormones like oestrogen and progesterone influence everything from the microbiome and immune response to saliva composition and gum health.
Here’s what the researchers found:
- Hormonal changes can increase gingival inflammation and bleeding, creating a breeding ground for bacteria that release volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs), the main culprits behind bad breath.
- Prevotella intermedia, is a bacteria that can feed on oestrogen and progesterone, so when these hormones rise, it helps the bacteria grow—making bad breath more likely.
- VSC production spikes during the menstrual and ovulation phases—up to 2.2x higher during ovulation in women with periodontitis.
- Reduced saliva flow (which is common during hormonal shifts) impairs the mouth’s natural antimicrobial defences.
- Additionally in perimenopause, falling oestrogen can weaken the mucous membranes in the gums and mouth, making infections more likely.
These are all direct and indirect pathways that connect our breath to our hormones.
So, What Can You Do?
This study is a good reminder that oral symptoms can reflect systemic imbalances. If you’re in perimenopause and noticing changes in breath, it could be a clue your hormones—and your gut—need support. Think of it as your body waving a little flag.
Practical takeaways:
- Take herbs like herbs like Milk Thistle and Dandelion to support liver detox and digestive function which helps metabolise hormones more effectively.
- Support gut health and a healthy microbiome with prebiotics from fibre-rich foods and probiotics from fermented foods.
- Address stress, which is shown to worsen oral symptoms like dry mouth and VSC production. Herbs like Passiflora and Avena sativa can help.
- Track your cycle, even in perimenopause, to spot patterns and notice hormonal shifts.
- And lastly, don’t dismiss complaints of bad breath as vanity. It may be a sign of hormonal or inflammatory imbalance.
Remember, our bodies are full of signals, we just haven’t been taught how to listen. So yes, your breath might be telling you something about your hormones. And it’s time we started paying attention.
Reference:
[1] https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/1/43
