Night Sweats on Females

Night sweats –the hot flashes that occur while a woman is sleeping –can be an uncomfortable and inconvenient byproduct of sweeping changes that are taking place in a woman’s body, especially during the years preceding and surrounding menopause.

Women who experience night sweats may be wondering why they occur and women who have yet to experience them may wonder what the symptoms are. All women, regardless of their stage in life, can benefit from a morsel of knowledge regarding night sweats.

Night Sweats: Causes

The most common cause of night sweats by far is the hormonal imbalance that accompanies menopause. The transition a woman’s body undergoes between producing night sweats women1 high levels of estrogen to low levels is not a smooth one. Rather, hormone levels rise and fall erratically and without warning. These fluctuations have a direct affect on the hypothalamus region of the brain, which is responsible for helping to control body temperature.

When estrogen levels vary greatly, the hypothalamus responds by causing women to feel that burst of heat that can lead to profuse sweating.

For women who are not convinced that their night sweats are a result of menopause, there are a few other potential causes. These less common causes of night sweats include:

• Thyroid conditions.
• Diabetes.
• Certain cancers.
• Anxiety.
• Sleep apnea.
• Neurological conditions.

Women who suspect that their night sweats may be caused by a more serious underlying condition, should talk to a trust doctor as soon as possible.

Night Sweats: Symptoms

Some women may be unsure if what they are experiencing are, indeed, night sweats. Fortunately, there are a number of telling symptoms, including:

night sweats women2 • Rushes of intense heat.
• Nausea.
• Rapid heartbeat.
• Headache.
• Flushed skin.
• Chills.

Since some women experience night sweats that disrupt their sleep, they may also experience the following symptoms:

• Insomnia.
• Irritability.
• Trouble concentrating.
• Exhaustion.

More Information on Women’s Night Sweats

For women who are tired of waking up with damp sheets or spending their days acting more like a zombie than a vibrant woman, a number of treatments do exist.

Three levels of menopause treatment exist. These are:

• Lifestyle changes.
• Alternative medicine.
• Prescription drugs.

These treatments range from less intense (lifestyle changes) to more intense (prescription drugs), and can be used in combination depending on a woman’s specific health concerns and history. Please click on the links to learn more about each treatment option.