You're Not Alone: How Many Women Struggle with Sweat Every Day?

Introduction: Covering Up

I honestly can’t think of another situation where I’ve noticed sweat marks forming—because when I really think about it, I just cover myself up. Yes, I know it’s winter and cold weather calls for jackets, but let’s be real—I have so many pictures of myself wearing big sweaters or coats out of fear of sweat stains. I don’t even go for the gorgeous shades of gray, purple, green, and blues that I’m drawn to when I shop because I know they’ll betray me.

That sinking feeling of embarrassment? It’s not just in your head. Millions of women go through this every day.

The Reality of Sweating in Women’s Lives

10.5 million women (3.18% of the U.S. population) deal with hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating—especially women between ages 18-39. This condition is more common in women than in men (2.77% of the U.S. population). So yes, not only am I all about empowering women, but we definitely deserve some priority treatment.

All of us women will go through menopause eventually, if not already. 75-80% of menopausal women experience hot flashes. It shouldn’t mean changing how we dress or compromising confidence after years of breaking barriers.

Among individuals diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), 25-32% report excessive sweating as a symptom. That’s millions of people struggling with both mental and physical effects.

The Emotional Toll

Now, let’s talk about the mental health impact: 69% of hyperhidrosis sufferers experience constant worry, sadness, or frustration. I know I’ve felt every one of those emotions personally. And as a fashion lover, trust me—Ava’s Armour will soothe those emotional burns with uniquely badass designs.

75% of sufferers find being in public a challenge. Are we supposed to be hermits now, just because our clothes don’t conceal our sweat?

57% struggle with social interactions. We’ve all been there—“What if they see my pit stains? What if they touch my sweaty hands? I’m just a gross mess.”

The Social Impact

I just got back from the National Retail Federation 2024 Student Program in January, and I even debated wearing my orange corduroy blazer (which is a thick material). At this stage in my journey, I decided to rock it anyway. I’d rather stand out in something no one else has on. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t wear a black top underneath as my safety net in case I got too hot. And yes, I did end up using it, because I did get too hot.

There’s this pressure to appear "effortlessly put together" as a young career woman. But let’s face it, we all get caught up in the momentum of nerves, and most of us have felt sweat building up on our clothes. I know you’ve felt the hesitation to pull up your shorts or leggings because of sweat, and I also know the relief of coming home and slipping into a dry shirt.

Social settings can make sweat anxiety even worse. A few weeks ago, I had to attend this boring meeting for a program requirement. I wasn’t the one presenting, so I felt pretty relaxed sitting back and watching. But when a fellow student, about my age, talked about financial wellness, he got to the part where he had to discuss “the condom club.” As soon as he said it, I could feel his anxious energy, and it spread to me. My hands went from smooth to sweaty, and my shirt started sticking to my underarms and my pants to my inner thighs. Have you ever felt the anxiety from someone else make you sweat?

The Science & Solutions

Why do some women sweat more than others? It comes down to hormones, stress, and medical conditions like hyperhidrosis.

There are two types of hyperhidrosis: Primary hyperhidrosis, which is often inherited, typically begins in childhood and worsens with puberty, especially in women. Secondary hyperhidrosis, on the other hand, is caused by another condition or behavior.

I have secondary hyperhidrosis, which I noticed in elementary school. I started sweating from stress when I was in close contact with my classmates, holding hands at church every Thursday. I think it started because I was heavier than the other girls, and my body was changing faster than theirs. As a result, I became self-conscious about my body, which increased my stress levels. Add in the hormones, and that’s when the sweating really kicked in.

Different Solutions Women Have Tried (Some That Work, Some That Don’t)

I’ve personally tried a few solutions: medicated antiperspirant wipes, Glycopyrrolate medication (to reduce facial sweating), and OnabotulinumtoxinA injections (Botox®) in my armpits. The Botox® shots were painful and only lasted seven months. Eventually, I was recommended to try Dermadry, a tap-water iontophoresis device. It works by applying a small electrical current to disrupt the nerves’ connection to sweat glands. It’s effective for up to six weeks, but I stopped using it because the emotional toll became too much.

A high school acquaintance of mine even reached out recently—she’s considering surgery to fix her hyperhidrosis. The procedure is called endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS), where doctors cut the sympathetic nerves to reduce sweating. The surgery costs $7,000–$10,000. My question is: Why are we cutting, shocking, or pricking ourselves to solve a condition that could be fixed with better clothing technology?

A Clothing-Based Solution

I think we’ve been waiting too long for a clothing-based solution. Women go through so many changes in our lives, and excessive sweating shouldn’t be the final straw when it comes to expressing ourselves. Sweat-proof, stylish solutions could make make life easier—no invasive treatments needed.

The moisture-wicking fabrics market is worth $4.16 billion and is projected to reach $5.09 billion by 2032—so why aren’t more everyday clothing options part of that growth?

Conclusion: We’re In This Together

By sharing my story—and the stories of other women—I want you to know you’re not alone. Millions of women are dealing with this every day, and it’s time we talk about it.

I’ve already had a few girls reach out to me through my stay-in-touch page, sharing their experiences with hyperhidrosis. You’re such an important part of my process as I create a prototype that works and helps instill confidence. Please feel free to share your story on the website or reach out to me on Instagram @therealavasarmour. I’m excited for the next blog post, where I’ll be discussing the silhouettes of our first prototypes—and I need your help! Stay tuned to vote for which clothing styles make you feel unstoppable. Personally, I love an empire waistline tank with a flowy bottom—it accentuates my shoulders and chest while leaving my stomach free to breathe.

Please don’t hesitate to share your experience and let me know which style you love. Be sure to click the box to sign up for news and updates—this helps me with traction for the pitch journey.

Sweating brings us together, and we’re so much stronger for it. We’re more empathetic toward others, and we’re more in tune with our own needs, even when we might not prioritize them. We’re a community of badass women, and I’m so happy to have you here with me. Please feel free to share your story, and let’s normalize the conversation!