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About Night Sweats
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While night sweats, the nocturnal cousin of hot flashes, can be uncomfortable and disruptive, they don't usually signal a more serious underlying condition. In fact, night sweats are one of the most common companions of menopause, which typically begins in a woman's late 40s to early 50s. Scientific studies suggest that as many as 75% of menopausal women experience night sweats.
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When a woman approaches menopause, she may have many questions about the potential symptoms, including night sweats. Understanding what to expect, why these symptoms occur, and how to manage them can help a woman better prepare for and manage this transitional time period. Read on to learn more about night sweats.
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Definition of Night Sweats
Night sweats, medically termed "sleep hyperhidrosis," are episodes of nighttime sweating, which can range from mild to profuse.
Night sweats are similar to hot flashes, which can affect menopausal women during the waking hours.
Both symptoms have the same basic underlying physiological cause: hormonal imbalance. Menopause-related night sweats and hot flashes usually follow a pattern consistent to the particular woman whether multiple times a night or just once a week.
Oftentimes, night sweats are so intense that they interrupt a woman's sleep, even if they don't wake her up. These sleep disruptions can affect a woman's daily life and increase the likelihood of irritability and increased stress. |
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Symptoms of Night Sweats
Signs and symptoms of night sweats often resemble those of daytime hot flashes, but are chiefly characterized by excessive sweating. The severity and pattern of night sweats symptoms typically varies depending on the woman. For example, while a majority of menopausal women will experience night sweats, only one in four will experience severe night sweats.
Common Symptoms of Night Sweats:
• Sudden intense heat
• Perspiration
• Heart palpitations
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Flushing
• Chills
• Wet clothing/bedding
• Interrupted sleep
Women who have questions about the symptoms of night sweats during menopause should not hesitate to speak with their physician. Read on to learn more about who is affected by night sweats.
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Night Sweats and Sleep:
The symptoms of night sweats can drastically disturb sleep patterns, making it difficult to get a good night's rest. Because of this, women who suffer from night sweats often experience:
• Insomnia
• Sleep disorders
• Trouble concentrating
• Exhaustion during the day
• Irritability
• Heightened levels of stress
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Who is Affected?
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Many women in their 40s and 50s develop night sweats, which often begin before the actual cessation of a woman's menstrual cycle. One study found that approximately 19% of women aged 40 to 55 who still had regular periods experienced night sweats. Most women begin to develop symptoms three to ten years before actual menopause, a span of time called perimenopause.
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Research shows that not all women are affected the same. Age, race, and other factors can influence how likely a woman is to develop night sweats during menopause.
Women are affected differently:
Age
Age can affect a woman's experience of night sweats. One large study found that younger women are significantly more likely than older women to experience night sweats. Another found that only 10% of patients older than 64 had night sweats.
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Race
Studies have found that the prevalence of night sweats varies by racial group. One large study found the 3 in 4 white women experience night flashes. Another found that African-American women were more likely to have night sweats than white or Hispanic women. Asian women seem least likely to report night sweats.
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The degree to which women are affected by night sweats also depends on more individual factors, such as diet, stress, and exercise. Please read on to learn more about the lifestyle triggers that can bring on night sweats and to discover the most common underlying cause of night sweats.
What are the best ways to cope with night sweats?
Three approaches can be considered for treating night sweats: (1) lifestyle changes, (2) alternative remedies, and (3) drugs and surgery. Most experts recommend that women begin with the least aggressive approach and move to the next level of treatment only if symptoms persist. Click on treatments for night sweats to discover the best route to relief.
Return to home page and learn more about the 34 Menopause Symptoms.
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