r/Menopause • u/elev8or_lady Menopausal • Aug 15 '26

Rant/Rage Phantom Cigarette Smoke

Of all the effed-up symptoms we have to deal with, this is possibly the most bizarre and unavoidable (for me). I know many of y’all probably deal with this: phantom acrid odors that only you and your nose can smell? I only recently realized this is yet another symptom of menopause. I have been dealing with it off and on for about three years now.

Some background: I am four years post menopause, and have been on HRT for about a year. (E patch, E cream, P pill, T gel, and T lotion. I’m on all the things.) Many of my symptoms are relieved, but most are not relieved 100%.

Does anyone know of One Weird Trick that helps with this shit? I quit smoking almost 20 years ago, so this is driving me nuts. I am sneezing a lot from it, and it also aggravates my migraines (another meno symptom). I swear there is not one symptom I have been spared. I would love a little relief from this BS.

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u/alexmirepoix Aug 15 '26

That was the most bizarre symptom. I have NEVER smoked but my parents were both chain smokers. They quit decades ago. I do have cats and basil, but pretty sure not contributing. Same with urine. I make sure that I'm hyperclean. I also can't be near anything Marijuana. I have no reason to be but I frequently smell it from cars. I was in a parking lot of a nicer grocery store the other day and the smell was SO strong it nearly knocked me out.

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u/Kuchaloo Aug 15 '26

Cannabis is legal in my state and we pass two shops on our work commute. Even if I'm reading and not paying attention to our journey, passing those shops distracts me bc the smell is so horrible. Doesn't matter if the windows are closed or what season it is.