Genital sweating is completely normal. However, excessive sweating may cause discomfort and irritation. A person can reduce vaginal sweating by wearing breathable underwear and avoiding tight-fitting clothing. Practicing good vaginal hygiene can help prevent bacterial and yeast infections.
Causes of sweating
Like the armpit region, the groin contains numerous sweat glands called apocrine glands. It is normal for people to experience some degree of sweating between their legs, especially during hot weather or exercise. Sweating is the body's way of cooling itself down.
It happens to everyone. That's because we sweat wherever we have sweat glands, says Chris Adigun, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in North Carolina. And there are sweat glands all over your vulva, which is the external area surrounding the vagina.
Because apocrine glands are found in and around the groin, pubic hair traps bacteria and moisture from sweat, creating a virtual greenhouse for bacterial growth. The rapid surge in bacterial population causes itching, discomfort and groin sweat odor.
Women have a high concentration of sweat glands around the outside of the vagina on the labia majora. These “apocrine glands” are similar to those found in the armpits, and can produce a fluid that reacts to the presence of vaginal bacteria to create a pungent, “body odor” aroma. This is nothing to be concerned about.
Vaginal odor can be caused by diet, sweating, menstruation, or pregnancy. It can sometimes also be caused by infections like bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis.
Even the smallest change can throw off a person's PH. So, the healthiest way to clean the vulva (which is the external genital area around the vaginal opening) is gently—this skin is soft and sensitive y'all! — with water and unscented soap; or even just plain water. The vagina (the internal part) is self-cleaning.
Pubic hair holds on to residual urine, vaginal discharge, blood and semen. Bacteria line up all along the hair shaft just lunching it up and creating odor. (Very appetizing, I know.) Trimming your pubic hair reduces that surface area for bacteria, thus reducing odor.
Eccrine ducts, apart from sweat glands, are found in the buttocks. Sitting down on an office chair or feeling worried, the eccrine sweat glands generate a liquid during lengthy periods. Sweating occurs as a result of this fluid. Sweat markings appear on the chair due to the formation of bum sweat.
Sweat Aftercare
Clogged sweat glands can cause skin conditions like prickly heat. Heat and sweat provide a fertile breeding ground for bacteria to fester. If left unwiped, bacteria can settle into your pores and start a breakout. For people with acne or sensitive skin, this can be a recipe for disaster.
The most common cause of excessive groin sweating is primary focal hyperhidrosis, but groin sweat can also be a symptom of secondary generalized hyperhidrosis, or even compensatory hyperhidrosis.
Antiperspirants and deodorants aren't just for your armpits. You can also apply them to your groin area to stop excessive sweat or mask the unpleasant odor stemming from your nether regions. Just be careful when applying these products to the sensitive skin around your groin.
Why does night sweat smell like yeast? If you smell yeast, it would be good to consider if you have a yeast infection. If this is a recurrent issue, you might also have diabetes since diabetes increases the chances of yeast infections.
Bathe or shower daily and pat your genital area dry. Don't douche. Avoid feminine hygiene sprays, colored or perfumed toilet paper, deodorant pads or tampons, and bubble bath.
The most common explanation for a less-than-flattering vaginal odor is an infection many of us ladies know as bacterial vaginosis (BV). BV is notorious for producing a strong, fishy smell. BV happens when the normally acidic vagina becomes overgrown with bacteria, making it become more alkaline.
Trimming your pubic hair reduces the surface area for bacteria, thus helping to reduce odor. Pubic hair serves a purpose for wicking away sweat and keeping good bacteria around, but if you sweat a lot in that area, you might find shorter pubic hair to be beneficial. Gynecologists often do recommend a trim down south.
Olfactory reference syndrome (ORS), also known as olfactory reference disorder, is an underrecognized and often severe condition that has similarities to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). People with ORS think they smell bad, but in reality they don't.
Sweat is responsible for smelly armpits. Sweating is a normal and necessary bodily function that stops people from overheating. There are 2–4 million sweat glands on the body. Most of these are eccrine sweat glands, and the others are apocrine sweat glands.