Springtime: when flesh becomes exposed and feels the warm, long-awaited kiss of the sun. During this season, many people feel a resurgence of sensual desire, which may have cooled off during the long, dark winter. But for some men, warm weather also brings a very unsexy phenomenon: excessive groin sweat. In the interest of proper penis health and the steady flow of his sex life, a man with such a circumstance would do well to learn how to manage his moisture levels in the downstairs region.

Groin sweat is not only unappealing to a man and his potential partners; it creates a ripe environment for the spread of fungus, increasing a man’s risk of the dreaded jock itch rash that leads to intense itching and unsightly bumps. Below, men can find tips for handling their sweaty situation, both increasing their comfort and protecting the health of their precious members.

1) Wash more. This one is kind of a no-brainer, but must be mentioned on a list of sweat management techniques. Some guys get locked into a showering routine and are resistant to altering it during the warmer months, but it’s important to regularly wash away accumulated sweat, which may harbor unwanted fungi and bacteria.

That said, a man shouldn’t scrub hard, use harsh soaps or run very hot water over the manhood. Rather, rinsing in warm water - and using the fingers to gently retract foreskin and wipe away smegma, if a man is intact - once or twice a day should suffice.

2) Powder up. It’s a good idea to put genital-friendly powder on the inner thighs to keep things dry and prevent the balls from clinging obnoxiously to a man’s legs. Powder can prevent jock itch and make a man far more comfortable in the spring and summer.

3) Dress appropriately. Wearing breathable, roomy cotton underwear promotes air circulation in the area, and therefore dryness. Aside from undergarments, men should also mind the type of pants or shorts they wear. Skinny jeans aren’t the best choice for air circulation. Sweat-prone men should also avoid thick materials and dark colors, the latter when they are going to be out in the sun - lighter colors absorb less heat from the sun.

4) Bring a change of clothes. Some men can’t avoid soaking though their clothes, even if they use powder, either because they’re doing physical labor or because they are simply more sweaty than most. For such men, carrying around an extra pair of underwear and shorts or pants is a good idea. Keep some spares in the car, at work, at a partner’s place - anywhere a man spends a substantial amount of time. While he may not be able to prevent sweat, he can at least get himself out of wet clothing, dry off with a paper towel and reduce his risk of jock itch.

All this talk of keeping things dry shouldn’t make a man think it’s not important to keep things moisturized. Skin needs to stay hydrated, and a man who uses powders and washes several times a day might end up drying his skin out.

That’s why it’s a good idea to use a penis-specific moisturizer after showering, one that soaks into the skin nicely and doesn’t keep the area too wet. A penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) with vitamin A is ideal, since this ingredient helps fight bacteria that can add to sweat odors. Look for Shea butter and vitamin E on the ingredient list as well; these natural hydrators attract just the right amount of moisture and keep it locked in. Finding a balance between dryness and moisture is crucial to penis health.