Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Causes and How to Cope
You’ve had a long day, but you’re finally getting some well-deserved rest when suddenly, you wake up sweaty and uncomfortable - another night’s sleep disrupted. Hot flashes and night sweats are common for women going through perimenopause, but the fact that they’re normal doesn’t make them any less frustrating. If you’ve experienced hot flashes or night sweats, read on to find out more about what causes them and what you can do about them.
What Causes Hot Flashes and Night Sweats?
During perimenopause, your hormone levels change from month to month. Changes in estrogen and progesterone, in particular, can lead to hot flashes and night sweats. When estrogen surges but then drops suddenly, the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for the body’s thermoregulation, becomes more sensitive to changes in your body temperature. This can make you feel like you're overheating. Progesterone can also be inconsistent during perimenopause, which can cause irregular menstrual cycles and contribute to the problem.
Also referred to as vasomotor symptoms, hot flashes often start in the face, neck, or chest, and you may feel flushed or sweaty. When a hot flash happens at night, sweating may be excessive and can disrupt your sleep.
Hormonal changes aren’t the only reason that night sweats occur, however. Stress, diet, environment, and overall health can also affect your thermoregulation. Caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods could trigger hot flashes, while your bedding, sleepwear, and room temperature may also play a role.
Helpful Tips
Now that you know a little more about what causes hot flashes, you can take some simple steps to manage your symptoms:
- Try maintaining a cool sleeping environment.
- Dress in layers so that you can make yourself cooler if needed.
- Try to identify and avoid any habits that seem to trigger hot flashes.
- If you need to, see a healthcare professional for treatment.
Find the Relief You’re Looking For
At Panacea Health Haven, we offer personalized health and wellness services through direct primary care. That means that we can spend quality time with you to get to the core causes of your symptoms and develop a customized plan to provide relief. For more information about the HRT therapy and midlife wellness support we provide, contact us today. We proudly provide personalized care for perimenopause symptoms and menopause symptoms to clients in Panama City, FL; Niceville, FL; Crestview, FL; Miramar Beach, FL; Pensacola, FL; and throughout the state of Florida.
