Swapping synthetic fabrics for breathable materials like cotton can help minimize sweating and unwanted odors. Limiting your time in sweaty, wet clothes can also reduce the risk of complications.

Sweating is your body’s way of cooling itself down. It’s natural to sweat when you’re hot, whether you’re working out, sitting in a hot car, or wearing too many layers.

Certain body areas, such as your armpits, are more prone to sweating than others. This higher chance is usually due to a high concentration of sweat glands and hair follicles in one place.

Your groin is a body area much like your armpits. It’s hairy, warm, and full of sweat glands and bacteria.

Indeed, some people sweat more than others. But having sweat and moisture around your vaginal opening throughout the day or night can lead to discomfort and potentially contribute to yeast infections.

Here are a few tips for keeping your vaginal area cool and dry.

Moisture-wicking technology, a staple of athletic wear for years, is now available where you may need it most: your underwear.

This fabric pulls moisture away from your skin and onto the fabric’s exterior. This feature can help keep the underwear dry on the inside.

Some sweat-wicking underwear contains odor-absorbing molecules that can help keep you feeling fresh all day.

Synthetic materials, like polyester, don’t breathe as well as natural fabrics. Instead of allowing sweat to evaporate out, the material holds the sweat in and can trap it against your skin.

Natural fabrics, like cotton and linen, allow sweat to evaporate like it’s supposed to. They’re basically organic sweat-wickers.

The downside? Cotton retains moisture longer than synthetic sweat-wicking fabrics, so you might deal with some wetness before things dry out.

Skinny jeans or anything tight in your crotch area can raise the temperature.

When your skin rubs up against the fabric, it causes friction, and friction builds heat. When that heat gets trapped under tight clothes, you’ll get sweaty.

Loose, flowing pants can prevent friction and allow air to flow through. Consider wearing loose joggers or wide-leg palazzo pants.

Yeast is a type of fungus that thrives in warm, moist environments. Spending the day in wet underwear allows yeast to grow out of control, leading to itching, burning, or other signs of yeast infection.

You can reduce your risk of yeast infection by changing out of sweaty clothes as soon as possible. If you go to the gym, bring a change of clothes for after your workout.

If your underwear gets wet on an average day, try wearing more breathable bottoms or carrying a change of underwear with you.

And if that doesn’t work? You might find that going commando lets your vagina breathe more than cotton underwear does.

Pubic hair serves a purpose. It reduces friction from tight clothing and works to wick sweat away from your skin.

Bacteria can cling to hair. In your vaginal area, that’s a good and bad thing.

You need some bacteria to prevent an overgrowth of yeast, but when bacteria mix with the sweat and oil on your pubic hair, it can produce a smell.

If you sweat a lot in your vaginal area, consider trimming your bikini line. A pair of grooming scissors with a rounded safety tip can minimize your risk of cuts. Waxing and laser treatments are also options.

The area around your vaginal opening — your vulva — consists of delicate and sensitive tissue. Antiperspirants and deodorants may work for your pits but can do more than a little damage below the belt.

Try something made specifically for this area instead of reaching for your usual stick or spray. Consider getting a talc-free option.

The American Cancer Society reports a slightly elevated risk of ovarian cancer if the powder particles travel through your vagina and reach your ovary.

For many people, bathing once or twice daily with soap and water is enough to wash away the sweat and oils that cause odor. Just be sure to use a gentle, moisturizing body wash.

If you have nothing to change into, panty liners and pads can provide a quick fix for wet underwear.

But they can also make you sweat more. Most panty liners aren’t breathable and trap heat in your crotch area.

Opt for 100% cotton panty liners to help you take advantage of cotton’s moisture-wicking properties.

Moist toilettes are a convenient way to clean off sweat in the middle of the day. Just be sure to avoid antibacterial wipes, which can affect your natural microbiome.

The Office on Women’s Health recommends that you do not douche, as it can lead to other unwanted symptoms.

You can usually manage excessive vaginal sweating with home remedies and lifestyle changes. If these measures don’t work, you could have a condition called hyperhidrosis.

Talk with a doctor if your sweating is persistent or you notice an unusual odor.