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I am 69 and still sweat .....Gynecologist and endocrynologist don't have any answers.

By Anonymous October 23, 2011 - 2:58pm
 
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Dear Anon,

May I ask at what age you started going through Menopause and how long it's been since you haven't had a period?
Many women, unfortunately, continue to suffer with night sweats, hot flashes, and excessive sweating even after 10 years of Menopause.

Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, can be a warning sign of thyroid problems, diabetes or infection. Excessive sweating is also more common in people who are overweight or out of shape. However, in your initial question you mention that your doctors cant find a reason which leads me to believe that you do not have any health issues or at least, none that would cause excessive sweating.

A condition known as Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis or localized sweating can start as early as in your teen years and continue on throughout your lifetime. Primary focal hyperhidrosis does not cause illness. Basically, you sweat excessively. Although it is a medical condition, it's not a sign of disease or a drug interaction. People who have it are otherwise healthy.

The symptoms of primary focal hyperhidrosis are fairly specific. It's called focal or localized because it only affects specific parts of the body, such as the underarms, groin, head, face, hands, or feet. Symptoms also tend to be symmetrical, occurring on both sides equally.

Experts aren't sure why this happens but primary focal hyperhidrosis seems to stem from a minor malfunction in the nervous system and there's some evidence that it could run in families.

While there is no cure for primary focal hyperhidrosis, there are ways to help control the symptoms. They include:

Antiperspirants . Special over-the-counter or prescription sprays, lotions, and roll-ons can help control symptoms.
Iontophoresis. This treatment uses low-level electrical impulses to temporarily disable the sweat glands.
Medications. Some drugs can stop the sweat glands from kicking into action.
Botox. Injections of Botox can temporarily stop the nerves from triggering excessive sweating. It is approved for treatment of excessive underarm sweating.
Surgery. One approach is to cut a nerve in the chest that triggers excessive sweating. Another is to surgically remove some of the sweat glands.

Here is some more information for you: http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/is-your-excessive-sweating-caused-by-a-medical-problem?page=3

Best Wishes,

Rosa

October 26, 2011 - 5:18am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Rosa Cabrera RN)

Thank you, Rosa, for your detailed reply. To answer some of your questions:
I am 69 yrs. I started going through menopause in my early 50's and had my last period in my early 60's . I do take medication for hypothyroidism. I am overweight by 45 lbs. But, even when I was much thinner, I still experienced the head sweating. I am presently in a "healthy eating" mode and am losing weight. I go to Curves for exercise. You should see my head sweat there......I have to have a towel with me at all times. How do you give Botox injections to the head? I appreciate you time and expertise. This is a great web site and I am going to "pass the word". I had read the article in the Arizona Republic. Keep up the good work.

October 26, 2011 - 9:00pm
(reply to Anonymous)

Hi Anon,

Thanks for the update. Based on what you're saying, it can be a combination of a couple of things but if the sweating is localized to mainly your head and you've been experiencing this even before menopause and before hypothyroidism, then it can definitely be primary focal hyperhydrosis. Now, I cannot diagnose you because I am not a doctor, but this is definitely a possibility.

Botox injections, much like they are injected into the face, can be injected into your scalp. Since the scalp is such a broad area, though, if you could pinpoint exactly when on the scalp the sweating is localized to, then you would require less units of botox. If it is the entire scalp, then this would be about 100-200 units and could be done in parts instead of all at once.
You can call around dermatologists or plastic surgeons to determine the cost and how it would be done in your particular situation.

Thank you for the kind words and best of luck!

Rosa

October 27, 2011 - 6:40am

Hi Anonymous,

I'm sorry but I do not understand what you're asking. Do you mean that you still sweat excessively? Sweating is a normal body response; it's how your body cools itself. You sweat mainly under your arms and on your feet and palms.

Please clarify so that we can best help you,

Rosa

October 23, 2011 - 4:47pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Rosa Cabrera RN)

I'm talking about sweating excessively when doing the smallest task. I don't sweat under my arms. I mostly sweat on my head and arms.....and I still get the night sweats. I don't understand what is going on! I can be grocery shopping or clothes shopping and break out in this awful sweat. I can even be in church that has air conditioning.....just sitting there....doing nothing....and break out in a head sweat. It is so embarassing.....and no I am not a drinker!!!

October 25, 2011 - 12:39pm
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