Why Are My Balls and Scrotum So Hot and Sweaty?
It's no secret that men sweat around their testicles, and if you're exercising or it's hot and humid, sweaty balls are perfectly normal. But asking why your balls sweat so much is actually important—if you are dealing with excessive testicular sweating, it could be a sign of an underlying condition or a warning sign of thyroid problems, diabetes or an infection.
Many sweat glands are present in the penis and scrotum region, an area usually covered with clothing, so it's hot. This causes sweat that cannot be easily wiped away, which can become uncomfortable. The sweat leaves you feeling moist between the legs and could lead to stench, itching, chafing and rashes.
It can be difficult to determine normal or excessive amounts of genital sweat, but you can keep an eye out for certain signs, such as sweating heavily for no reason.
Many men do not seek treatment for ball sweat because they see it as an embarrassing topic to talk about, whether it is caused by excess weight or other factors. If sweating is having a negative impact on your life and seems excessive, speak to your doctor, who can pinpoint the cause and help you find treatment, if necessary.
Why do your balls become so sweaty?
If you're sweating a lot in general, you may have a condition known as hyperhidrosis, which is characterized by excess sweating that's not caused by an increase in temperature or physical exertion. While hyperhidrosis is often no cause for concern, it can be associated with underlying medical conditions and medications.
The most common type of hyperhidrosis is primary focal hyperhidrosis, which occurs when nerves cause sweat glands to become overactive. Secondary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating due to medication or an underlying medical condition, such as thyroid disease, diabetes, nervous system disorders, certain types of cancers and infections.
Causes of hyperhidrosis in men include:
- Hormonal imbalance
- Anxiety disorder
- Stress
- Hyperthyroidism
- Fever
- Obesity
- Low blood sugar
- Diabetes
- Family history of hyperhidrosis
- Alcoholism
- Certain medications, including some blood pressure meds, hormone treatments, chemotherapy and antidepressants
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Stroke
- Tuberculosis
How to stop those sweaty balls
Men who experience excessive ball sweat should see a doctor if they experience any of the following:
- Excessive sweating elsewhere on the body
- Ball sweating has suddenly gotten worse
- Change in body odor
- Severe rash that accompanies the sweat
- Itchy testicles
- Embarrassment from excess sweat
- Burning sensation during urination
- Outbreak of excessive sweat after starting new medication
- Ball sweat is accompanied by other symptoms, such as insomnia, dehydration, increased urination and fatigue
What to do about sweaty balls
It's important to maintain proper hygiene and regularly wash and dry your scrotum in the morning and keep it dry throughout the day. This creates an environment that bacteria do not like because they thrive in warm and moist areas.
You might find some relief by switching from briefs to boxers or boxer-briefs, and the increased airflow to your crotch can help your testicles feel less constricted. Cotton underwear does a good job of wicking away moisture so it doesn't stay on the skin. Powders and soothing creams can help keep the testicles dry, too, and applying an antifungal powder to the groin can help prevent or treat a fungal infection known as "jock itch."
For men who have been diagnosed with hyperhidrosis, treatment options include prescription creams and antiperspirants. Other more drastic measures include botox (known as scrotox), nerve surgery and sweat gland removal surgery.
While ball sweat might be a minor annoyance that you can remedy by switching to less-constricting underwear and dusting your boys with some anti-sweat powder in the morning, you shouldn't ignore the issue. An excessive amount of sweat might point to a more serious underlying health condition, and the sooner you talk to your doctor, the better.
