Davina McCall discusses menopause symptoms on Loose Women
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Menopause is a natural part of ageing that normally happens to women between the ages of 45 and 55. It happens as your oestrogen levels decline after your period stops, and this causes a range of unpleasant symptoms. Night sweats are just one of the many menopausal symptoms women experience and this can cause embarrassment and discomfort. How can I stop night sweats during menopause? Express.co.uk chatted to Mike Kocsis, director of healthcare at Balance My Hormones to find out.
It’s normal to sweat during the night if the room or your bedding is making you too hot, but you shouldn’t sweat so much that your clothes and bedding are soaking wet.
This can happen to adults and children and could be down to anxiety, medicines, low blood sugar, alcohol or drug use, or a condition called hyperhidrosis, however, night sweats also point towards menopause symptoms.
If you’re a woman between 45 and 55 and you wake up drenched with sweat, this is most likely to be a symptom of menopause.
Other signs you’re going through this hormonal change are hot flushes, vaginal dryness, difficulty sleeping, low mood, anxiety, reduce libido and problems with memory or concentration.
Night sweats are commonly experienced during menopause as a result of fluctuating oestrogen and progestogen levels which regulate the body’s temperature.
Mr Kocsis said: “Although hot flashes can regularly take place several times a day lasting a few minutes, night sweats tend to be much more dramatic, last longer and can leave the bedding soaking wet.
“In severe cases, the problem can last for up to eleven years.”
How can I stop night sweats during menopause?
If you experience hot flushes and night sweats as a result of menopause, simple measures to keep you cool may help.
For example, you might like to try the following six things:
- wearing light clothing
- keeping your bedroom cool at night
- taking a cool shower, using a fan or having a cold drink
- trying to reduce your stress levels
- avoiding potential triggers, such as spicy food, caffeine, smoking and alcohol
- taking regular exercise and losing weight if you’re overweight
If the flashes and sweats are frequent or severe, you might like to try the seventh option – HRT or medication.
Your GP may suggest taking HRT, which is a popular treatment option for menopausal women.
Mr Kocsis said: “HRT works to control night sweats by introducing bio-identical hormones to mimic an increased level of natural oestrogen and progestogen in the body, thereby restoring hormonal balance and temperature control.
“If other symptoms are present including joint pain, feverishness and weight loss, it’s vital that you seek advice from your GP.”
If HRT isn’t suitable for you, or you would prefer not to have it, your GP may recommend other medicines that can help.
They might prescribe clonidine (a high blood pressure medicine) or certain antidepressants.
These medicines can cause unpleasant side effects, so it’s important to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before starting treatment.
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