4 Reasons You Could Be Sweating More (And What You Can Do About It)

Have you been asking yourself, “why do I sweat so much?” You are not alone. 2 out of 3 Americans experience heavy or stress sweating, and this can lead to shame and insecurity. But it doesn’t have to — it’s time to find out why you’re sweating so much, drop those negative feelings and show sweat who’s boss!

Why do I sweat a lot?

Before we delve into the causes of excessive sweating, let’s first understand sweat — how our bodies produce it and what purpose it’s meant to serve.

There are two to four million sweat glands distributed all over the human body.¹ They’re everywhere — from the surface of your scalp to the soles of your feet and (almost) everywhere in between. And they’re there for good reason.

Sweating helps our bodies regulate temperature. When your body overheats, like if you’ve been running or playing sports, sweat helps cool it down to a safe body temperature.

But sometimes, we sweat a lot more than we would like to, which can be uncomfortable and annoying. Remember that just because you sweat a lot, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are unhealthy — sweating is a normal function of a healthy body. It should only become a concern if it is affecting your day-to-day life and confidence.

Below, we reveal 4 reasons why some people sweat a lot, and what you can do to make sure you stay confident, no matter what life throws your way.

1. You’re stressed or anxious

Sweating is a natural reaction to stress and anxiety. It’s essentially our bodies getting ready to fight or flee danger — whether it’s real or perceived — and sweating to cool us down.

Anxiety and stress sweat mainly comes from our larger apocrine glands, which are most concentrated in the armpits and groin. But, as stressful events can increase our heart rate and get the adrenaline pumping, additional sweat can come from our eccrine glands, which are concentrated in our feet, hands, and forehead.

2. You’ve got a health condition

Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause you to sweat more – this includes certain antibiotics, blood pressure medication, antidepressants and even certain types of pain medication.²

Similarly, certain diseases and health conditions like diabetes, hyperthyroidism and gout can also cause excessive sweating. Remember, if you have any of these conditions, it doesn’t mean that it’s causing you to sweat a lot – it could be something else.³

If you think your sweating could be caused by an underlying health issue, it’s best to contact your healthcare provider for advice.

3. You’re going through perimenopause and menopause

Night sweats... hot flashes... need we say any more? Perimenopause and menopause can make you sweat more than usual. Why? A fall in the hormone estrogen affects temperature regulation in the body. This causes our bodies to get too hot and sweat swoops in to cool us back down.⁴

This hormonal change also skews the ratio of estrogen to testosterone, which can cause you to sweat more. Women are also more prone to stress and anxiety through this transition, and — you guessed it — that can also make you sweat more.

4. You’re pregnant

You thought night sweats and hot flushes were just for menopause? Nope – they can happen during pregnancy, too. This is because pregnancy increases both hormone levels and blood flow. So, don’t worry, it’s totally normal to experience increased perspiration.

Invest in a good antiperspirant

A good antiperspirant deodorant will do the heavy lifting for you as you go about your day and banish any sweat-related self-consciousness. It helps to:

• Neutralize body odor
• Keep armpits dry
• Leave behind a pleasant, fresh scent
• Make you feel more confident and comfortable in your skin

Need a recommendation? Here are some of our favorite antiperspirant deodorants:

For women: Degree® Sensitive Antiperspirant Deodorant Dry Spray

For men: Degree® Icy Mint Antiperspirant Deodorant Dry Spray

If a regular antiperspirant just isn’t cutting it, try one of our clinical formulas:

For women: Degree® Stress Control Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant

For men: Degree® Sport Strength Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick

Finding your favorite clothing plagued by sweat stains? Our guide has effective solutions to eliminate those stubborn marks. For a proactive approach to prevent future sweat stains and deodorant marks, try our UltraClear range

If you’ve tried everything and nothing seems to be working, or you want to get to the bottom of what’s making you sweat a lot, it may be best to contact your healthcare provider. They will be able to investigate and recommend the best treatment for you.

Remember that sweating is a normal bodily function, and nothing to be ashamed about. But if it’s getting in the way of you living your best life, you have the power to turn it around and feel more confident every day.

References:

1. Understanding sweating. International hyperhydrosis society
2. Common drugs/medications known to cause diaphoresis listed by therapeutic class. International hyperhydrosis society
3. Diseases and conditions that can cause hyperhidrosis. International hyperhydrosis society
4. Bansal R, Aggarwal N. Menopausal Hot Flashes: A Concise Review. J Midlife Health. 2019