Like all bodily functions, sweat has a purpose. The unconscious act of sweating is your body’s natural method of detoxification. It’s a completely healthy sign your body is functioning properly. But, when you start to experience a surplus of sweat around your vagina area, the visible dampness can bring on a pretty hefty dose of embarrassment, discomfort, and unwillingness to partake in certain activities. Maybe you regularly skip high intensity gym classes or avoid walking as a form of transport in fear of someone spotting the damp patch between your legs.
Well, we’ve all been there. We’ve all survived many sweaty situations. So, let’s find out, is it normal to get sweaty around the vagina? What causes a sweaty vulva? And, what can you do to prevent sweat around your vagina?
Is it normal for your vagina to be sweaty?
Yep, it’s completely normal for women to have a sweaty vagina area.
Whether watching telly on the couch, walking your pet labradoodle, sitting a stressful exam, powerlifting, or sipping lattes at the local café, sweaty vulvas happen to every woman on planet earth. As a general rule of your beautifully manicured thumb, wherever you have sweat glands or hair on your body, that is where you’ll sweat. When it comes to your downstairs lady parts, the sweat occurs on and around the vulva (you know, the external area of the female sex organs).
What causes a sweaty vulva?
Love it or loathe it, sweat is your body’s first line of defence when you need to cool down, avoid overheating, and flush unwanted bacteria from your body. The sweating mechanism automatically comes into play when your body temperature rises or you’re experiencing a physiological response to stress or anxiety. Sweat glands come in two forms:
Eccrine Glands
Eccrine glands span most of your body, directly opening onto the surface of your skin. The sweat produced by the eccrine glands tends to be of watery consistency and does not have an odour.
Apocrine Glands
Apocrine glands develop specifically on the parts of your body where you’re likely to grow hair. They’re connected to hair follicles which open onto the surface of your skin. The sweat produced by the apocrine glands tends to be thicker and can give off a strong odour when combined with bacteria.
How can you control the sweat around your vagina area?
Having a sweaty vulva can be awks for everyone involved (the person who’s sweating and whoever they cross paths with). Fortunately, these lifestyle tips can help you stay fresh while reducing the sweat around your vagina:
- Be fussy with your underwear – breathable cotton or moisture-wicking fabrics are your best friend for this situation
- Nail your post-workout routine, to include a shower and change of clothing asap
- Take care of the hair down there – trim, shave or wax to remove heat-trapping pubic hairs that can cause sweaty odour
- Experiment with topical antiperspirants, to temporarily plug sweat glands
- Maintain personal hygiene, all day, every day
- Ditch the panty liners and pads, they make it hard for your lady parts to breath
