Are your balls always sweaty? Here's why it might be happening.
Having excessively sweaty balls can be a real downer. This is particularly true when they cause your junk to smell rancid, thereby driving mates away.
But rest assured: you’re not disgusting. You may, however, be suffering from a common condition known as hyperhidrosis.
Although doctors aren’t sure what causes it, hyperhidrosis is characterized by massive sweating and is usually no cause for concern. Not that this makes drenching your tighty whities any better.
“Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes a person to sweat more than what is required to maintain body temperature,” said Dr. Ron Smith, a board-certified dermatologist who spoke to MV. “It can be associated with underlying medical conditions and medications, but the most common form has no clear cause.”
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Research suggests that approximately five percent of Americans suffer from hyperhidrosis, or around 15 million people. It is most common among 18 to 39-year olds, afflicting nearly nine percent of them.
Men and women are thought to be equally affected by excessive sweating, but only half will seek treatment. Because sweaty balls can be an embarrassing topic to talk about, many men avoid speaking to their physician about the problem.
Though there is no known cause, the most common type of hyperhidrosis (primary focal hyperhidrosis) occurs when nerves trigger sweat glands, causing them to become overactive.
Secondary hyperhidrosis, on the other hand, is excessive sweating due to an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, thyroid problems, low blood sugar, certain types of cancers and nervous system disorders, infections, and even heart attacks.
So it’s critical to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis of your excessive sweatiness—not just to cut back on the laundry.
Deep feelings of shame can discourage people from seeking help for something treatable. Options include prescription creams and antiperspirants, nerve-blocking medications, and occasionally antidepressants to reduce perspiration, Smith says.
More extreme measures include botox, nerve surgery, and sweat gland removal surgery. It might be more reasonable to cut back on caffeine and spicy food before it comes to that, as both tend to induce hyperhidrosis symptoms too.
“Every situation is different,” Smith says. “There is no singular cure for the condition.”
