Night Sweats and Hot Flashes
62Hot flashes (or hot flushes if you are in the UK) are an unwelcome symptom of the menopause. A feeling of heat, along with a temporary rapid heartbeat, originates in the face or neck and then gradually goes all over the body. Then the skin becomes hot to the touch. After the feeling of heat comes perspiration. These frequently happen at night and are called night sweats.
Some women go through the menopause and never have a hot flash, while others have them well before and after menopause. To some it is a daily occurrence while with others it is much more frequent. Episodes can last from a few seconds up to an hour. They are most common first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Overweight people tend to have more, and the hot flashes can be reduced with weight loss.
Hot flashes are caused by the hormonal changes of menopause.
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A lower level of estrogen has an effect on the hypothalamus which then causes the body to have an overheating sensation. This is not a serious medical condition, merely uncomfortable and unwanted, especially if they occur frequently. If they come about during the night, they can cause insomnia, which in turn causes other medical problems such as anxiety and depression.
Some women take drugs for controlling their hot flashes, but if you eat healthily, and exercise frequently you can reduce the likelihood or the frequency of hot flashes and other symptoms of the menopause. It is thought these symptoms are due to an imbalance of hormones. Keeping a low stress level helps balance your estrogen and progesterone and reduce the hot flashes. Other common triggers are hot weather, hot baths, alcohol, coffee, spicy foods and smoking.
Estriol is often prescribed to treat menopause problems. It’s not a drug, but is a bioidentical hormone produced by the body. It can be taken orally, as a cream or vaginally.
Ginseng and flaxseed have traditionally been used for menopausal symptoms. Relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation can reduce stress, which is known to make menopausal symptoms worse.
Although known as a woman’s problem, hot flashes can also occur in men, this is because of a low level of testosterone.
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CommentsLoading...
A subject close to my heart. Am trying black cohosh! Rating up and following.
I still sleep with a fan at night. I am almost over the hub but still have problems with hot flashes.
I'm 60 and so over it...but good hub!
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Dry Babe 10 months ago
Great article - thanks for posting. I wanted to add one more possible remedy. I am a perimenopausal night sweat sufferer. I spent 3 years trying everything. Nothing worked for me. So in the spirit of "if you can't beat 'em join 'em", I developed Dry Babe - which is absorbent sleepwear for "hot" mamas. This works. I wish everyone a peaceful and dry night's sleep.