If you think you’ve started sweating more than usual—and it’s not just because of the weather or your workout—you’re probably not imagining it. Many people notice changes in how much they sweat as they get older.
Why? Aging, hormones, medications, stress, and underlying health conditions can all tweak your body’s thermostat. Here’s how sweat patterns typically change over time—and when those shifts signal something more serious.
In your 20s and 30s
During early adulthood, your sweat glands are typically at their most active. This is when your metabolism is still running high, muscle mass is relatively abundant, and hormone levels (especially estrogen and testosterone) are more stable. You may notice you sweat more during workouts or stressful situations—but unless you have an underlying condition, your body generally regulates heat efficiently.
In your 40s and 50s
This is when many people—especially women—begin to notice changes in how and when they sweat, says Dr. Asmi Berry, a California-based dermatologist.
“Hormones play a huge role in regulating sweat,” she says. “Estrogen and progesterone shifts like those during perimenopause or menopause can disrupt the body’s temperature regulation and lead to hot flashes or night sweats.” Your thyroid levels also increase as you enter midlife, which can raise the body’s baseline temperature and trigger more sweating.
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During this time, men may also experience changes due to a gradual decline in testosterone, though it’s typically less dramatic.
In your 60s and beyond
As you get older, your sweat glands can become less active. This may mean you sweat less overall—but there’s a downside, too. Your body may also become less efficient at cooling itself.
“This makes older adults vulnerable to heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke,” says Dr. Marjorie Jenkins, professor and dean of health affairs at the University of North Dakota and chief clinical advisor at Incora Health, a health technology company focused on women’s wellness. ”This reduced sweating capacity is a normal part of aging, but it’s something we need to be aware of, particularly during hot weather.”
Sweat triggers
Sweating can be triggered by various factors beyond just heat. “Vigorous exercise is the most obvious trigger, but anxiety and emotional distress are also major culprits,” says Berry. “Physical pain, spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, hot drinks, humidity, certain medications, and fever from infections can all cause increased sweating.”
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Remember: sweating isn’t a bad thing. It’s a way for the body to automatically regulate temperature. “When our body isn’t able to do this, it can cause a heat stroke and even cause a medical emergency,” Berry says.
Medications might be making you sweat
Certain drugs list excessive sweating—also called diaphoresis—as a common side effect, either because they affect your nervous system, hormone levels, or how your body regulates temperature.
Antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine (Prozac) or sertraline (Zoloft), are among the most common meds to cause sweating, says Jenkins. “They can increase serotonin levels in the brain, which in turn affects thermoregulation and can lead to excessive sweating, particularly at night,” she says.
Opioid pain relievers, such as oxycodone or morphine, can also disrupt the body’s ability to manage heat, triggering perspiration.
Read More: Why Extreme Heat Is So Bad for the Human Body
Jenkins says other drug classes to watch include diabetes medications (like insulin or sulfonylureas)—which can cause low blood sugar, a well-known sweat trigger—and thyroid medications, which can ramp up metabolism and make you feel warm or flushed. Fever reducers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can induce sweating as your body breaks a fever.
“Even some blood pressure medications can trigger sweating,” adds Jenkins. “What’s particularly concerning is that medication withdrawal, from substances like opiates, alcohol, nicotine, or benzodiazepines, can also cause excessive sweating and should be monitored carefully.”
If you suspect your medication is increasing your sweat levels, don’t stop taking it abruptly. Instead, talk with your health care provider. They may be able to adjust your dosage, recommend timing strategies, or switch you to a different treatment that’s less likely to leave you drenched
Could it be hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis, which affects an estimated 5% of Americans, is a medical condition where the body sweats excessively, beyond what’s needed for temperature regulation. It causes the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, underarms, or the face to sweat, sometimes resulting in skin rashes, bacterial infections, and yeast infections. Hyperhidrosis can occur without an obvious trigger—often starting in adolescence or early adulthood—and can persist for years without a clear cause.
Secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by an underlying issue like medications, infections, endocrine disorders, or even certain cancers.
“While hyperhidrosis isn’t life-threatening, its impact on quality of life can be profound,” says Jenkins. “Many people experience social anxiety, isolation, and distress that can prevent intimacy and lead to embarrassment about going out in public.”
If sweating is severe, persistent, or affecting your quality of life, it’s important to talk to a dermatologist or your doctor. There are effective treatments ranging from topical prescriptions to Botox.
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