Today we are talking about excessive sweating in the male groin area, its causes, and professional treatment options. We will also discuss lifestyle choices and over-the-counter remedies that may help relieve the symptoms.
It is normal as well as inevitable to experience sweating when you exercise or spend much time outside in a hot or humid climate. Sweating is our body’s normal protection to prevent us from overheating, and for most people, everything works as it should.
However, there are some men (and women) that experience excessive sweating for no obvious reason occurring at random intervals. This sweating can take place in the armpits, feet, hands, and in the most inconvenient of places – the groin. For these unfortunate individuals, excess sweat can be embarrassing and also cause uncomfortable secondary issues. Today we are going to discuss the awkward and potentially embarrassing condition that can affect a man commonly referred to as sweaty balls.
What Causes Sweaty Balls?
Many times excessive sweating is caused by a medical condition called primary focal hyperhidrosis, and when it occurs in the groin area, it is labeled as Hexsel’s hyperhidrosis.
Groin sweat can affect both genders but the associated side effects can cause extra problems for men due to the anatomical differences. Sometimes this condition is caused by an underlying medical issue or a medication side effect, which is referred to as secondary generalized hyperhidrosis.
Conditions that can cause sweaty balls from secondary hyperhidrosis include:
- Diabetes;
- Low blood sugar;
- Medication side effects;
- Hormone imbalances;
- Hyperthyroidism;
- Withdrawal;
- Infections;
- Other medical conditions.
What Problems Can Occur if Groin Sweat in Men is Left Untreated?
Excessive groin sweat can wreak havoc for men in their nether regions if left untreated and can result in itching, chafing, bacterial infections, and fungal infections, often referred to by athletes as “jock itch” and is no joke!
Video: Procedures for Men at SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics
Alleviating Excessive Groin Sweat: Treatments for Men
Pinpointing the cause of the groin sweat will be instrumental in determining the most effective treatment. For some men, it may be as simple as lifestyle changes or over-the-counter remedies but others may require medical intervention.
Lifestyle Choices
Lifestyle choices refer to things that you can control or do on a daily basis that may offer some relief. These may not completely resolve your issue, but they may help, it’s worth a shot. Let’s be honest, sweaty balls can be embarrassing and uncomfortable so it is worth doing everything you can to help yourself.
- Underwear: the type of underwear you choose can affect how much you sweat in your nether regions. Boxer briefs made from breathable cotton offer better ventilation than briefs or boxer briefs or underwear made from synthetic materials. Your balls really need to breathe so give them a break.
- Hygiene is also important. The guys should be kept clean and dry. Washing the groin with soap and warm water at least once a day, maybe twice if sweat continually accumulates, will help prevent unpleasant issues from arising, like jock itch.
- “Manscaping”: to provide greater airflow to the groin area and possibly liven up your love life, consider keeping your pubic hair tidy and trimmed. A study was conducted in 2017 and reported by the American Journal of Men’s Health where 50% of men surveyed admitted to regularly grooming their pubic hair so you will not be alone. One word of caution, take care with your “manscaping” methods so you do not aggravate the already sensitive skin down there.
- Diet and exercise: obesity contributes to the occurrence of excessive groin sweat so a healthy diet and lifestyle may help keep groin sweat under control. Also, limiting the intake of alcohol and caffeine is recommended to lessen the production of groin sweat in men.
Over-the-Counter Remedies
Over-the-counter solutions may offer relief for symptoms or help lessen the amount of sweating.
- Antiperspirant can be applied to the area, which temporarily restricts sweat production. There are some antiperspirants that are specifically created for the groin area and a medical professional or pharmacist can assist you in choosing one.
- Powder – using cornstarch powder, baby powder or special antifungal powder can help prevent chafing and irritation. Powder helps absorb moisture, and some even have antibacterial properties.
- Topical solutions – excess groin moisture can be a breeding ground for bacteria and may be treated or even prevented using over-the-counter creams or sprays.
You might try combining several different solutions to find the best combination of treatments for you.
Medically Based Treatments for Excessive Sweating in Male Groin Area
If excessive groin sweating cannot be alleviated through other means, it may be necessary to pursue medical treatment.
Oral Medications
Sometimes, doctors can prescribe oral medications that reduce sweat production called anticholinergics but these can have undesirable side effects.
Botox
Most men are familiar with Botox and its use to treat fine lines and wrinkles on the face, but Botox can also be used to decrease the production of groin sweat. No reason to get nervous, they do not inject it into your “sensitive areas”, it is injected into the skin specifically targeting the “problem areas”.
Botox works very well for hyperhidrosis with very few side effects. The only downside is that this treatment is not permanent and lasts 3-4 months, and requires quarterly ongoing maintenance to remain effective. For a more permanent solution, microneedling may be a better option.
Microneedling
Microneedling has already proven effective in treating wrinkles, large pores, acne scarring, stretch marks, and more by delivering radiofrequency energy deep into the dermis through insulated microneedles.
Studies have reported that fractional radiofrequency microneedling is a viable treatment to reduce symptoms of hyperhidrosis and in fact, test subjects rated their results on a scale of 1-10 anywhere from 8-10. There were NO low scores!
Some patients noticed an improvement as early as one day after the microneedling treatment. Gradual improvement is expected and has been known to continue for as long as 3 years.
Each treatment typically takes about 15 to 30 minutes to complete. The side effects of microneedling for groin sweat are mild and may include some slight swelling, bruising, and redness. Mild to moderate soreness was experienced by some patients for about 3 days post-treatment but it did not affect their normal activities or ability to sleep.
If you are a man with excessive groin sweat, you do not have to live with this any longer! Take a minute to set up a consultation with SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics. Dr. Angelina will explain the available options, answer questions, and address your concerns. She will help determine which treatment is the best for you to improve your quality of life and eliminate the aggravation of excessive groin sweat.
Dr. Angelina Postoev, MD, FACS, a triple-board certified cosmetic surgeon, and Dr. Christopher Ibikunle, MD, FACS, offer treatments for excessive sweating in the male groin area in Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Buckhead, and the surrounding areas of Atlanta, Georgia. To learn more, schedule a consultation.
