And embarrassing.
I sweat a lot. Let me say that again. A LOT.
I wasn't always this way, so I'm wondering if it's a hormonal change or something (I'm 37 - no other signs of peri-menopause), but in the last couple years, I find myself sweating profusely in high heat. And I sweat from embarrassing places. If I don't wear tanks under my shirts in hot weather, I will have 2 huge puddles on my shirt under my breasts. The backs of my knees sweat. ? I know? And I think most embarrassing of all, is my bum and inner thighs sweat horribly! In the summer, if I've been in a car where the seats were hot before getting in, I will have a puddle under my bum and between my legs when I get out, as if I had peed myself! Even walking around in the heat, I'll get a puddle in my pants from sweat, that looks like I had an accident... it's SOOOO embarrassing and I don't know why this is happening, or what to do about it.
Just to give you some additional info, I wondered whether my weight might be a factor, as I'm a little heavier now than in most of my life. That said, I am not extremely overweight, I am about 160 lbs., 5'4" tall. I know I'm overweight, but when I get to sweating, I look around and there are far heavier people than me that don't have breast and butt puddles! My breasts are a little on the large side (36DD), so I can understand the under-breast sweat, and I can combat that pretty well with just wearing a tank under my shirts. But the BUTT SWEAT is driving me nuts! I thought about trying to wear a pad in my undies to see if it would collect any of the persipration, but honestly, I'm not totally sure where the sweat is coming from, so I'm not sure whether the pad will help or not! Plus, I don't exactly feel like having a pad on all the time... it's bad enough to have to worry about that stuff once a month... but I guess I'll do what I have to to stay dry! I hate walking around in the park with a puddle in my pants! I am at the point where I try to stick to black or denim, because they seem to show the puddle the least! UGH!!!
I have never had any problems with blood sugar, and never diagnosed with a thyroid condition, although I know that many have thyroid issues and don't know it, so that may be something to look into.
Do any of you have this problem? If so, what do you do? Any thoughts about what could be causing this? Or what I can do to stop or at least camoflauge my embarrassing problem?
***EDITED TO ADD***
Regarding sweat wicking products, like underwear, if it wicks the sweat away from the area, where does it go? These products don't prevent you from sweating, I believe they are made to not absorb sweat and wick it away, right? So where does the sweat go?????? Does it just dribble down your body until it reaches something it can soak into or rolls off? LOL But I'm serious!!
For those of you who mentioned or thought of hyperhydrosis, I have reasearched that some, but it seems they usually refer to the palms, feet, underarms, or face, which I don't have. Oddly enough, my underarms do not sweat profusely, and regular deodorant/antiperspirant works fine, for the most part. Of course I sweat there, but nothing like the other areas that are much more difficult to deal with, i.e. my bum! I haven't seen mention of sweating in unusual areas with regard to hyperhydrosis, although I realize that the basic definition of hyperhydrosis is excessive sweating, so perhaps it can pertain to any area that where sweat is excessive.
Also, I just wanted to mention that this is only a problem in high heat. I don't sweat all the time. And I don't find myself hotter than other people. In fact, I'd say that I might even like it a little warmer than some. But it is just when I get into high temperatures, that I sweat. I don't think it's nerves or anything, it seems solely related to high temperatures.
And just to clarify, I'd say that this problem has only started in the last couple years, with this year being the worst, I think. I haven't gained a significant amount of weight in the last year or so, maybe 10 at MOST? But some of you said that even rather slight weight changes can affect sweating, so for this reason, and others, I really should try to lose some. And I am a little bit heavier on the bottom (hips and thighs) so I guess it would make sense that weight gain in my heavier area could be contributing.
I do have an rx to get my thyroid checked, and I do plan to follow up on that. Perhaps try to shed a few lbs. And take out stock in Secret and Stayfree. ugh.
Maybe you could just wear panty liners. I usually wear them when I am exercising just so you won't see the sweat down there.
I completely understand... this is why I had to move from Florida and quit my job/fellowship at an un-air-conditioned school in Miami. (although now I have an issue because nobody in NJ air-conditions.) Panty liners are a good idea and playing around with anti-perspirants until you find one that works. (I had to switch recently too... Mitchum instead of Secret clinical strength) I have a window unit in my bedroom to keep me cool... I have to avoid going out in the heat and usually have to hose off in the shower/ tub a few times a day. (If I stew in sweat for too long I start to get some skin problems)
If you find anything that helps let me know!
The only thing someone once recommended to me (an accupuncturist) mentioned that some foods promote heat (of course everything I eat.... carbs, dairy, etc...) and other foods don't (fish, soups/broths, veggies) I am not sure how much a diet change would help...
It's just hot out...
Good luck!
My sister's going thru a whole mess of thyroid related issues and sweating was on her list of personal symptons. She asked me if I was experiencing any of a number of items she had on her list...that apparently, after giving birth, several women have thyroid issues and don't even know it. Apparently, it's not usually checked by drs. for some reason. Fortunately, all of my checks came back ok on that issue. However, I do/did have other areas that were stemming from my weight. It's amazing how just 10 lbs can affect even your mood! Good luck! Hope you get this sorted out soon!
You can use a good antiperspirant under your breasts, up your butt crack, and between your thighs. (Buy a separate one for "down there") I never sit on leather seats in the car--only a towel, for the heat as well as the sweat. (Same for the leather couch we used to have---don't know WHY we bought it). Yes, weight is a factor. If your thighs rub, you're going to sweat in hot weather. A good cornstarch powder over the antiperspirant will help keep you dry, too. Don't worry about blocking sweat glands--you can't block enough of them to be harmful.
My teenage daughter sweats alot - she uses a special anti perspirant prescribed by the doctor to help this - hers is under the arms, but people do experience sweating in other areas - even the palms of hands. Although this may be your condition I would speak to your doctor because it just started (my daughter on the other hand has always been like this) It is very possible the thyroid is involved.
I defnitely think talking about this with your doctor is a good idea. Anytime there's changes like that, it's worth it to have it checked out. That said, last summer I could have written your post, but having read that being overweight can contribute to excessive sweating, I decided to lose weight and see if it worked. I wasn't obese, but heavy - I'm 5' 6" and weighed 168 last summer. I've lost 15 lbs and I'm now at 153lbs (still have more to go, but taking it slow & steady). I've noticed a huge difference in my sweating, and I feel like it may be due to the weight loss and the condition my body is now in from all that exercise. I exercise 3 or 4x/week for 1-2hrs per session. I just spent this Sunday outside at Longwood Gardens the entire day in extreme heat and while I did sweat a normal amount from my underarms, it was nothing excessive. Last summer I would have been drenched in other places, just as you described.
I can say that I always wear "extra coverage" or long pantiliners, and that helps a LOT with wetness in that area! Also, I apply cornstarch powder all over after showering. Try to wear breathable fabrics that are not tight fitting.
Good luck, and know that even though it's embarrassing, you are not alone!
I have the opposite problem in that it takes me a looooong time to sweat but instead I get really hot/flushed looking in my face. Anyway you don't mention your age , but it could be hormonal , have you spoken to the Dr about it? I think you should instead of suffering in silence , it could be something as simple as a chemical inbalance that can be corrected with medication , also there are good deodrants that the doctor can prescribe.
Definantly get the thyroid check. Sounds like you may have overactive sweat glands. Try pantiliners instead of pads,they are more comfortable for everyday use. I am somewhat overweight so I always make sure to dry myself off well after a bath or shower. Make sure to use powder under the creases it may help. I take a bath or shower at night and it seems to help me feel better. Sports bras are good and may be more comfortable with the sweating under the boobs. Good luck
I do use antiperspirant in more than one area of my body... You may want to get an couple of sticks and label them for the appropriate body parts but could be worth a try... I would go see a doc though if it bothers you that much, there are medications you can take that help prevent you from sweating. Ditropan- XL is a drug for bladder issues but the side effect is that reduces the bodies ability to sweat, my son actually had to go off of it because he was a competitive gymnast and kept overheating.
GL!
It would be worth making an appointment with your physician just to see if it's an easy situation to solve or the sign of a more serious condition.
At 160 lbs and 5'4", you're certainly not large enough for it to be a huge issue. I'm guessing you're a size 10/12 at the very most which less than the average woman in the US.
Some people sweat a lot more than others. I'm probably more along the lines of you, but not badly enough to seek medical advice yet.
There's actually a website called excessivesweating.com, it may be worth checking out as well as MayoClinic.com, WebMD.com to see if they have any advice or guidance as to possible causes.
Good luck!
You might want to get this checked out.....you don't say how old you are........but it could be menopause..........it could be your thyroid, or it could be that you are just overweight enough that your body just can't handle it.... ...Also, have you been check for diabetes? I would definitely talk to your doctor.
I would ask to get some blood work done and check for thyroid, diabetes and high cholesterol to name a few.
If you can't do that, then go on a diet and see if that makes any difference at all..........if it does, it could still be diabetes..........which would mean your blood sugar is better because you've lost weight. Try not eating sugar or alot of carbs.....see if that helps as well...........
Good Luck and hang in there.......you can do this......you're health is very important, don't let this go...........get to your doctor and see what they think.
Take care...
I've had sweating issues for years, and it definitely seems to vary in intensity from year to year. It was definitely worst in the few months right after I had each of my children. I am surprised that no one else mentioned hyperhydrosis in their responses to you. Although it sounds like hormone or weight issues are worth considering, you may also want to do some research on hyperhydrosis and find out whether that may be what you are suffering from.
People with this problem talk about extreme sweating from abnormal areas like their scalp, or knees, or, like you said, their butt or other unusual areas. When I read about this problem, I felt so much better, knowing that I'm not the only one. Unfortunately, there is no magic cure, although there are treatments you can try like prescription anti-perspirants, and even laser surgery (yeah, like the kind they do for hair-removal). For me, I just learned to cope with it. I try to avoid being outdoors for a while in temps over 80, unless I'm exercising, and don't care if I sweat. Also, I'm careful about my wardrobe choices. I wear a lot of white and black b/c that helps disguise sweat, and I avoid fabrics that really show sweat b/c you never know when you will be stuck in a hot room. That being said, I definitely feel like my sweating issue has improved on its own over the last few years. Although I still sweat more than most women I know, it isn't the same extreme situation that makes me panic like it used to.
Definitely talk to your Dr and make sure that this isn't something that could be corrected, like a hormonal imbalance. And good luck to you - I feel your pain!
Hi, I can't really speak to your sweating issues. However, my husband does a lot of backpacking during which he sweats a lot, every where. Some things i have learned from him over the years. Do NOT wear cotton! It makes you sweat worse & it doesn't wick any sweat away, so you get puddles. Buy sweat wicking underwear. They make bikini style underwear for women that wick sweat. They also make shorts & pants that wick sweat. The shorts and pants are usually tight & thick. I would recommend buying guys boxer briefs (the tight fitting boxers) and wearing them under your regular shorts or pants (do not put underwear under the boxers, the boxers would be your underwear). I don't know if they make a pair of long sweat wicking underwear for women, which is why I recommend the boxers. I would also recommend wearing nylon/polyester "hiking" pants or shorts or wearing skirts to help hide the puddle. You can buy all the sweat wicking & hiking stuff at sporting goods stores. Good luck. I hope this helps
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Hi, L.:
Contact your local GYN Doc. Good luck. D.
