“Hot flashes cause intense feelings of heat but have shorter periods of sweating. There is a huge spike in perspiration that happens very quickly. Night sweats produce copious sweating, start out gradually, last much longer, and then decline slowly.”
If you're close to age 50 and you're waking with cold sweats — menopause is likely the cause. Experiencing night sweats in addition to other concerning symptoms may be a sign of something more serious. Still, only your provider can make a definitive diagnosis.
40s: This is when most women start perimenopause. Some hot flashes and night sweats begin. (For some, perimenopause starts in the 30s.) 46-53: In the U.S., this is the average age for menopause, which is defined as 12 straight months with no period.
"If you're regularly waking up soaked in sweat, experiencing sudden night sweats accompanied by weight loss or if your night sweats are keeping you from getting quality sleep, it's time to talk to your doctor."
Night sweats are repeated episodes of very heavy sweating during sleep, heavy enough to soak your nightclothes or bedding. They're often caused by an underlying condition or illness. Sometimes you may wake up after sweating heavily, particularly if you're sleeping under too many blankets or your bedroom is too warm.
Waking up often due to night sweats may be caused by underlying health issues, like medication side effects, infections, or hormone changes. Talk to your doctor if you have consistent night sweats for help determining the cause.
Night sweats caused by illness are more than just breaking a light sweat because you have too many layers of bedding. Instead, they cause you and your bed sheets to become soaked to the extent that you can no longer sleep on them, often when your room is at a comfortably cool temperature.
Your thyroid gland controls your metabolism, so when it makes too much hormone, your body goes into overdrive. Your body temperature rises, and you could be hungrier or thirstier, have a racing pulse or shaking hands, feel tired and out of sorts, get diarrhea, and lose weight.
There are several possible causes of night sweats which include heart disease, infections, menopause, cancer, and several medications. While this information is valuable in what causes night sweats to occur it's also important what medical conditions cause night sweats so you can seek help if they do happen.”
“Night sweats” is a term that describes the highly uncomfortable perspiration that drenches your clothing and bed during the night. Unlike normal sweating, night sweats often affect women and are sometimes a symptom of menopause. Typically, your body produces sweat to cool your body down.
According to the conventional medical wisdom, menopause-related hot flashes fade away after 6–24 months. Not so, says a new study of women going through menopause. Hot flashes and night sweats last, on average, for about 7 years and may go on for 11 years or more.
Avoid alcohol, spicy foods, and caffeine. These can make menopausal symptoms worse. If you smoke, try to quit, not only for hot flashes, but for your overall health.
You sweat, your skin turns red, and your heartbeat may speed up. They can often feel similar to a panic attack, and can last a few moments or longer. Afterwards, you might feel a little chilled.
Common causes of night sweats
The night sweats women experience can be a sign of decreased estrogen levels.
Autoimmune disorders: Night sweats can sometimes be a symptom of autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, and lupus. Autonomic neuropathy: This can lead to problems with excessive sweating.
“Bedding and sleepwear are the most common reasons people sweat in their sleep,” says Dr. Harris. “Even if the bedroom temperature is cold, sleeping in materials that aren't breathable and don't promote airflow can cause overheating and night sweats.”
During the night, hormone levels can swing even more drastically, which sometimes results in much more severe hot flashes that can leave clothes and bedding soaked.
“Almost any kind of infection can cause night sweats,” she says. This includes kidney infections and much rarer infections like tuberculosis. In other cases, the cause may be thyroid or liver disease, or a sleep disorder like obstructive sleep apnea.
Myth: People with high blood pressure will experience symptoms, like nervousness, sweating, difficulty sleeping or facial flushing. Truth: High blood pressure is a largely symptomless “silent killer.”
Nearly all antidepressants, hormone regulators, and blood sugar stabilizers have night sweats and hot flashes as a side effect. These include tricyclic antidepressants, as well as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Pristiq, also known as desvenlafaxine, can induce night sweats, too.
Antidepressants that increase levels of serotonin can be effective in treating night sweats during menopause, and can be a particularly good option for people who cannot take estrogen. Specifically, selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed for treating hot flashes.