Best products for women with excessive groin sweating

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Dear Sweaty Girl Society,

I have hyperhidrosis and one of the places I sweat is down there. It’s affecting my self confidence and it makes me feel undesirable. Please tell me I’m not alone — and what products can help!

~ A Sweaty Girl from Florida, USA

Hey Sweaty Girl from Florida. I want to start by telling you this: You’re not alone, and the numbers prove it!

Hyperhidrosis affects up to 5% of the world’s population (that’s about 385 million people) and many people with hyperhidrosis experience excessive sweating in their groin area.

In fact, a study of 2,000 people with hyperhidrosis found that 53% of people who experience underarm hyperhidrosis also experience groin hyperhidrosis, and women experience groin sweating slightly more than men do. By my quick math, that means that there could be roughly 70 million women out there who are living with groin hyperhidrosis.

So while the numbers say you’re not alone, it’s totally understandable that you feel alone — and that’s because not many people talk about crotch sweat (or swamp crotch, as it’s sometimes called).

The idea of sweating down there can make us feel yucky, embarrassed, and even undesirable — even though groin sweat is normal.

Let’s break it down for a minute.

We live in a world where “sweaty” is often equated with “gross, dirty, or stinky” (just think of the term “sweating like a pig”).

So if we, as women with hyperhidrosis, internalize this idea and come to believe that this also applies to our private parts, it’s easy to see why groin sweat can trigger a shame spiral.

No one wants to feel like their private regions are yucky!

Holding the belief that “sweat equals yucky, and my groin is sweaty, so therefore my groin must equal yucky” can affect one’s self-confidence and can interfere with one’s ability to enjoy intimacy.

If you’ve struggled with this like I have, you’ll know how anxiety-provoking it can be.

Though it would be great if we could eliminate the social stigma around excessive sweating — and also come to embrace our bodies just as they are! — the reality is that it’s hard work living in today’s world as a person with hyperhidrosis.

So, if you’re looking for tips on how to manage your excessive groin sweating as a female, I gotcha. 💗

Here are 15 tips — along with my best product recommendations — that I’ve assembled based on my own experiences as a women with groin hyperhidrosis, and from what I’ve learned from other women with hyperhidrosis.

Tips & products for managing groin hyperhidrosis

Hack your hygiene habits

1. Shower or bathe daily.

Ok, this is kind of obvious. But there’s no better feeling than stepping out of the shower feeling refreshed and reset. Showering or bathing daily — or more frequently if you’re having a really sweaty day — will leave you feeling more confident.

2. Use a gentle soap down there.

While you’re in the shower, try lathering up your groin area using a mild and unscented (or mildly-scented) soap. While it’s tempting to use a strong-smelling soap when you feel stinky down there, harsh soaps or heavily fragranced products can irritate your sensitive groin region. So ditch those strong scents and try something softer.

If you’re looking for an affordable bar soap, I’ve always enjoyed using Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar.

You can also try a body wash like Lume Acidified Body Wash or their bar soap, Lume Acidified Cleansing Bar. These products are pH balanced to help keep odors at bay for longer and they don’t contain SLS, SLES, phthalates, and parabens.

3. Dry yourself thoroughly.

After washing, make sure you’ve dried yourself thoroughly before you get dressed. Trapping in moisture will create an environment where bacteria can thrive.

4. Keep things trimmed.

Lots of pubic hair can trap heat and cause apocrine glands to create more sweat. Bacteria can also build up in your hair, leading to odor. Keeping your pubic hair trimmed can help these things under control and make cleaning easier.

If you’re using scissors to trim down there, choose ones with a rounded tip, like the Round Tip Safe Mini Pubic Hair Scissors for Women. And go slow!

5. Apply a groin-friendly deodorant or powder.

Consider applying a deodorant or powder that’s safe for your genitals before you get dressed. This is completely optional, and not something I do on a regular basis, but I know other women find it helpful as an added layer of odor management.

Curious? Try out Lume’s Whole Body Deodorant, which is specially formulated to manage odor, is free from aluminum, baking soda, and parabens, and can be applied to your groin area.

Another option is Carpe’s Sweat Absorbing Groin Women’s Powder, which is vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free. I find this a bit more difficult to apply, since it’s a powder, but it keeps dampness at bay and it has a nice soft fragrance that reminds me of a tropical holiday.

A word of warning: Avoid using talcum powders in your groin region (or anywhere for that matter), as the American Cancer Society warns that if talcum powder travels into the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes, it might cause cancer in the ovaries. More research is needed, but it’s better to play it safe.

Give attention to your underwear

6. Try bamboo undies (my secret weapon!)

Ladies, this is my best kept secret! If you’re going to try one product only, this is the one I’d recommend.

While I used to be a 100%-cotton-underwear-only girl, my go-to is now underwear made from bamboo fibers. This has seriously been a gamechanger for me. It wicks sweat away, feels dry, and is ah-ma-zing at keeping odor at bay.

I really like BAMBOO COOL Women’s Underwear Mid Waisted Brief for a full back underwear, and BAMBOO COOL Women’s Thongs for a thong option. This underwear is comfy, stretchy, comes in a variety of colors, and is affordable. Win, win!

If you can’t get your hands on bamboo undies, stick with cotton. Synthetic fibers like polyester tend to trap heat and sweat.

7. Test different laundry routines. 

When it comes to the best way to wash your underwear to eliminate odor and bacteria, the jury is out.

Some people say you should wash your underwear in hot water, though this will cause them to lose stretch faster and is less environmentally-friendly. Others say to use cold water, though you’ll need a modern washing machine and a quality detergent for cold water to get your undies squeaky clean.

Give both a try and choose whichever method you feel most comfy with. However, skip the fabric softener and drier sheets, which can irritate your sensitive bits!

Sweat-optimize your wardrobe

8. Go with loose fitting clothes.

We’ve all made the mistake of wearing tight-fitting skinny jeans on a hot day. Tight clothing restrict airflows, allows heat to build, and tends to skyrocket sweat production. To minimize discomfort and odor, opt for loose-fitting pants or go with a dress or skirt. Better ventilation typically equals a better day.

9. Say no to polyester.

Although a pair of black polyester pants are a work wear staple, they don’t work well with groin hyperhidrosis. If you sweat a lot down there, you’ll probably have noticed that synthetic fibers leave you feeling damp, stinky, and uncomfortable by the end of the day. Instead, try wearing clothes made from cotton or linen for better breathability and airflow.

Some sportswear might also do the trick due to their ability to wick moisture, so test out what works best for you.

10. Change your clothes as needed.

If you’re going to be in a situation where you think you’ll sweat a lot, it can be a wise idea to have a backup outfit at the ready. Alternatively, when you get home from a long day in the office, it can be refreshing to change into a new look (or sweats) for the evening.

People with hyperhidrosis tend to change more frequently, and also go through more clothes since sweat can cause fibers to get damaged. This can be frustrating, but know you’re not alone.

Go for a midday freshen-up

11. Try a gentle feminine wipe.

If you’re feeling not-so-fresh down there, using a feminine wipe can be a quick way to make you feel more confident.

I’ve tried many over the years and currently like Vagisil pH Balanced Daily Freshening Wipes because they come in a compact package, have a good price point, and are pH balanced.

If you’re a Lume fan, Lume Acidified Deodorant Wipes are also a popular choice!

12. Test out the pantyliner hack.

I like this hack if I’ve got a long day of travel ahead of me, or if I’ve run out of my favorite bamboo undies and have to resort to my cotton backups. The trick here is to wear a pantyliner to absorb excess sweat and odor and swap it frequently throughout the day.

I’m personally a fan of U by Kotex Balance Daily Pantyliners, but some people swear by cotton pantyliners, like the Organyc 100% Certified Organic Cotton Flat Panty Liner, saying they help with breathability.

I’ve tested them out and haven’t noticed a huge difference, but I do like that they’re unbleached and made from more natural products.

The trick with the pantyliner hack is to swap them throughout the day, as needed.

Reduce sweating from the source

13. Manage your sweat triggers.

You’ve probably noticed that your sweating is triggered by specific foods or situations. Common sweat triggers include caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, a lack of air flow, humidity, stress, and more.

Once you know your triggers, you can try to control them, which should theoretically minimize your sweating.

Try keeping a sweat journal, if you’re unsure what your triggers are.

14. Use a groin-safe antiperspirant.

Earlier we talked about using a groin-safe deodorant. However, deodorants only address smell, whereas antiperspirants block sweat glands to address sweat.

Feel nervous about putting antiperspirant near your lady bits? I get it! But the International Hyperhidrosis Society says that antiperspirants aren’t just for your underarms — as long as you’re safe about it.

Speak with your doctor about which antiperspirants are safe to use in your groin area, and always discontinue use if irritation occurs. 

15. Consider prescription medication.

If groin hyperhidrosis (or hyperhidrosis in general) is really getting you down or making life miserable, there are several oral anticholinergic medications available — with a common choice being glycopyrrolate.

Speak with your doctor to see if medication is right for you. While some people might experience side effects from oral medications, it might just be worth it to you.

Living with groin hyperhidrosis can be truly challenging, but it doesn’t define you. There are options available to help you manage your groin sweat — and you’re not alone.

Have a tip of your own that you want to share with other Sweaty Girls? Join our community today and take part in the conversation!