Hormonal.

Yes! I can smell people's digestion too!!! I thought I was crazy, everyone has been telling me that there's no way I can smell that but I swear I can - it's the smell of bile and it's on their breath. Oh so glad to know I'm not nuts, lol ;) Good to hear your symptoms went away - I'm sure as my hormones calm down mine will as well.

I saw a naturopath yesterday *****commended the same thing - I'm starting today with a bit of peppermint oil under my nose to see if that blocks the overwhelming smells. I might have to switch between peppermint and lavender because the peppermint seems to be giving me a headache (strangely, it's usually used to relieve headaches) but if it works then it's worth it!

Thanks :)

No, its real, you are not imagining it. (Who would even want to imagine smelling bile, much less other peoples' bile...ew). 

When you put on the oil, just be sure not to use too much as it can cause a little skin irritation if you put too much on your skin. I also found that the end of my nose handled the oil better than my upper lip (I don't know why ---maybe because the nose doesn't move as much when one talks, so it was less irritated?)

Never thought I'd have a reason to share this particular bit of knowledge lol....