Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: AmySmiles on May 04, 2010, 04:51:03 PM

Title: Body Scent
Post by: AmySmiles on May 04, 2010, 04:51:03 PM
Okay, so this is a long shot, but I'm dying to know ever since I caught a whiff of what I smell like now.

Does anyone know whether it's body scent or the brain's perception of body scent (presumably of the opposite sex) that changes first?  It was kinda weird, but I was just reading a book on the couch and decided to take a break.  I put my arm over my head and the first thing that popped in my head was "this is new!"  This new (really good) smell is coming really strongly from my elbow crease for some reason.  I never used to be able to smell myself, so I have to assume it's because I'm in the transition stage that I can now.  I guess I'm just curious if this is where I'm coming from or where I'm going!

If it's the brain's perception that changes first... "Wow" is all I can say.  I can totally understand why my all female friends said I smell really good if this is what my male body smelled like.
Title: Re: Body Scent
Post by: Janet_Girl on May 04, 2010, 05:05:30 PM
I have noticed that my body scents have changed to that of a woman.  And that is very pleasing to me.
Title: Re: Body Scent
Post by: FairyGirl on May 04, 2010, 05:14:05 PM
if you are taking estrogen and an anti-androgen, then you probably do smell differently. It was one of the very first things I noticed when I started HRT, within 3 days it was noticeable. Your brain will also respond differently to the scent of both women and men now, but I think the brain changes are much slower to develop. This makes sense- your sweat glands are one way the body rids itself of excess chemicals, which means chemical changes in your body are going to show up first there.
Title: Re: Body Scent
Post by: Hurtfulsplash on May 04, 2010, 05:17:14 PM
I've heard before that HRT does change your body scent, don't remember where I read it though.
Title: Re: Body Scent
Post by: blackMamba on May 04, 2010, 07:24:52 PM
I am way more attuned to the smell of people now, particularly men.  Men smell different than the rest of us  :laugh: 

But, that's a good chicken-or-egg question, did my smell awareness change first or did my body scent change first?  I really don't know, but I probably became aware of scent differences first.  I remember during the first few months of HRT, I thought I had developed a body odor.  But, after a while I realized that I only smelled it when I was around men and that they were the ones that were having the odor.  I wouldn't notice it around women, and maybe it was a synergistic effect of men smelling different combined with my female scent.  But, I have a hard time smelling myself, I don't detect much of an individual scent.

And now when I kiss a guy or get really close that way...wow, total man scent overload!

Title: Re: Body Scent
Post by: Dana_W on May 04, 2010, 10:35:22 PM
I've never noticed much about scent other than that I smell less than I used to... probably because I sweat a lot less.

You all seen to have better noses than me. How come mine is so large then?!  :P
Title: Re: Body Scent
Post by: pebbles on May 05, 2010, 04:03:25 AM
In my case my perception changed first I noticed a distinct smell on me that went away as time went on.

It was one of the first changes in my case too within 48hours I was not prepared for it Shame all the changes aren't so quick XD

I smelled my male self for a few weeks my bed smelled like a boy. After a few months now of smelling men I've noticed that I enjoy how some guys smell more than others. And those preferential smells seem to resemble male friends of mine. O_o crazy.
Title: Re: Body Scent
Post by: Dana Lane on May 05, 2010, 05:17:54 AM
No more funky man smell for me! At least it was funky when it was generated by my own body. I love the smell of guys (on guys). :)

I have not smelled sweat on myself (even if sweating a lot) since HRT kicked in and I adore it.
Title: Re: Body Scent
Post by: cynthialee on May 05, 2010, 07:55:13 AM
My spouse and I (both in transition) have noticed soon out the gate that our body odour has changed. When we change our hormones we are changing alot, even the quality and type of our pheremones. So now that we are on HRT we are producing the pheremones of the opposit birth sex.
What is really funny is when I am in guy mode and some strait dude is obviously sparking on me but doesnt realise it. Leaves them somewhat confussed. Happens to Sevan also, women are reacting to her like s/he is male, yet s/he dress's female and hir deportment says female.
Our scent is one of the signals we rely on to choose a mate.
Title: Re: Body Scent
Post by: LordKAT on May 05, 2010, 04:04:31 PM
My nose is broken. It never did work right. I just know laundry stinks, always did stink.
Title: Re: Body Scent
Post by: andream on May 05, 2010, 04:49:34 PM
Before HRT my towels would have this unpleasant odour not long after I'd used them, even though Iclean myself thoroughly in the shower. This started when I was 20. After a few days of HRT that was totally gone. I can now re-use my towels over a few days instead of changing them every day. Even better, whereas before, I'd need to use deodorant on a hot day because my armpits would start to smell after a few hours, now I can go for a whole day without any deodorant and still smell clean. HRT is great!

Title: Re: Body Scent
Post by: Nicky on May 05, 2010, 05:01:13 PM
My body oder has changed. I don't seem to smell as much. But my genitals smell more like a womans. I really notice that.

I also think my sense of smell has changed too...I just notice different things now, like different componants in the smells of food. Can't explain it.
Title: Re: Body Scent
Post by: AmySmiles on May 05, 2010, 06:26:28 PM
Have to agree with most of you, my body definitely smells better in general and not in small part due to sweat.  It takes a LOT to start sweating now, whereas before I just had to look out the window on a sunny day.  DEFINITE plus there :D

I also started being able to pick up scents from guys at work, so it's really funny how the ones I've always been annoyed by smell bad and my friends smell good.  Still can't place my own though, it's just neutral enough that it could go either way.  Like clean laundry or hand lotion almost.  Guess I'll have to live with the mystery :P
Title: Re: Body Scent
Post by: jmaxley on May 09, 2010, 08:52:56 PM
I've never noticed any difference between the way men and women smell (unless it's cologne or perfume)...but then I usually don't get close enough to find out.  I just know that if I forget my deodorant on a hot summer day, I do smell funky.
Title: Re: Body Scent
Post by: LordKAT on May 10, 2010, 12:26:12 AM
Well smell wise, I tend to smell bad rather quickly  and ladies smell real good. No wonder I'll never get one. I'd have to live in the shower. Any mermaids around?
Title: Re: Body Scent
Post by: kyril on May 10, 2010, 04:24:31 AM
Nah, men smell really good. Women smell...like my mother.
Title: Re: Body Scent
Post by: LordKAT on May 10, 2010, 04:43:28 AM
This may sound strange but parents have a smell all their own. Kind of like grandpa was always pipe smoke.


Hard to describe but ladies, especially ones I am attracted to, smell sexy.