Remedies for Night Sweats During Menopause

Most women who are approaching menopause complain that they experience night sweats along with hot flashes during the night which badly disturbs their sleep. They describe it as a sudden onset of a sensation of heat which causes excessive sweating. It may last for just a few minutes but in that short period of time their clothing and bedding get soaked up in sweat. One out of every five women, has experienced these symptoms. Other symptoms that often accompany night sweats are nausea, irregular heartbeat and headache.

Causes
The main cause of night sweats in women over 40 is hormonal changes that take place during this phase. In menopause, ovarian function starts declining. As a result, the level of a vital female reproductive hormone, estrogen drops down suddenly. This change affects the functioning of the hypothalamus present in the brain that controls body temperature. Thus one gets night sweats. The condition may get further aggravated by other hormonal problems like hyperthyroidism. Certain aspects of lifestyle like excessive consumption of caffeine or spicy foods, lack of ventilation in the bedroom may also worsen the condition.

Treatment
When you are suffering from menopause night sweats, you should not neglect it and you must visit a doctor. For proper diagnosis, they will study your lifestyle and medical history. They may suggest hormonal replacement therapy. In this treatment, low doses of female hormones are administered to restore hormonal balance. It is mostly given in the form of pills or vaginal cream or vaginal patch. However, there are some side effects of this treatment. So, you must discuss the issue in detail with your doctor before opting for this treatment. Acupuncture is an alternative form of treatment quite popularly used for providing relief.

Home Remedies
Till the condition is not very bothersome, you may not feel the need of undergoing a night sweat treatment. Rather, some minor changes in lifestyle are enough for curing the problem. A few remedies are as follows:

• Make sure that the temperature inside your bedroom is low when you sleep. Try to keep the room well ventilated to ensure proper air circulation.
• Wear loose and comfortable clothes made from natural fabrics while sleeping. This will prevent the sweat from getting trapped in the clothes.
• Cool your body before going to sleep. Many people have found a cold shower before bed highly beneficial. Or else, you can have a glass of cold milk or juice after dinner to keep your body cool.
• Eat the right kind of foods to keep your body cool. It includes fresh fruits, vegetables, fish and dairy products. Stay away from alcohol and spicy foods and caffeine as they act as triggers for night sweats.
• As you experience excessive sweating at night, you must keep a towel and a few ice cubes near your bed. You can dry off the sweat with the help of a towel. Ice application can have a soothing effect on the hot flush.
• Maintain a healthy bodyweight. If you are overweight, then it is likely that your body feels more heat. Therefore, you must lose some weight by following a proper diet and exercising regularly.

Every woman going through menopause may not suffer from night sweats. Those women who experience night sweats should not assume that they are going to suffer like this for the rest of their life. In some cases, it lasts for a few months and in other cases it may continue for a few years. It stops as soon as the estrogen levels in the body are stabilized. Lead a healthy and stress free life to reduce the frequency and intensity of night sweats.