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Are night sweats a symptom of menopause?
Do night sweats go away after menopause?
Can menopause cause hot flashes & nights sweats?
Jan 20, 2024 · Causes of night sweats include conditions and illnesses such as: Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis. Learn what conditions and medications might cause these sleep-disturbing sweats.
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During a hot flash, you might have:
•A sudden feeling of warmth spreading through your chest, neck and face
•A flushed appearance with red, blotchy skin
•Rapid heartbeat
•Perspiration, mostly on your upper body
•A chilled feeling as the hot flash lets up
If hot flashes affect your daily activities or nighttime sleep, consider seeing your doctor to discuss treatment options.
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Hot flashes are most commonly caused by changing hormone levels before, during and after menopause. It's not clear exactly how hormonal changes cause hot flashes. But most research suggests that hot flashes occur when decreased estrogen levels cause your body's thermostat (hypothalamus) to become more sensitive to slight changes in body temperature. When the hypothalamus thinks your body is too warm, it starts a chain of events — a hot flash — to cool you down.
Rarely, hot flashes and nights sweats are caused by something other than menopause. Other potential causes include medication side effects, problems with your thyroid, certain cancers and side effects of cancer treatment.
Not all women who go through menopause have hot flashes, and it's not clear why some women do have them. Factors that may increase your risk include:
•Smoking. Women who smoke are more likely to get hot flashes.
•Obesity. A high body mass index (BMI) is associated with a higher frequency of hot flashes.
•Race. More black women report having hot flashes during menopause than do women of other races. Hot flashes are reported least frequently in Asian women.
Hot flashes may impact your daily activities and quality of life. Nighttime hot flashes (night sweats) can wake you from sleep and, over time, can cause long-term sleep disruptions.
Research suggests that women who have hot flashes may have an increased risk of heart disease and greater bone loss than women who do not have hot flashes.
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By Mayo Clinic Staff
Dec 12, 2023
1.AskMayoExpert. Hot flashes (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2019.
•What's the best nonhormonal therapy for hot flashes? Experts release new menopause therapy guidelines
•Mayo Clinic Minute: Help with hot flashes due to menopause
May 31, 2023 · Menopausal hormone therapy is the most effective tool for treating hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause. It also can help to prevent osteoporosis. "This new medication shouldn't replace hormone therapy," says Dr. Kling.
Sep 6, 2022 · A note from Cleveland Clinic. Night sweats, like hot flashes, are often related to hormone changes that make it harder for your brain to regulate your body temperature. Night sweats are common in menopause, perimenopause, pregnancy and (in some cases) at certain points during your menstrual cycle.
May 28, 2019 · 1. Anxiety or stress. Increased sweating often happens if you’re dealing with anxiety or stress. You might notice you’re sweating more during the day when you’re worried about something. But...
May 3, 2021 · Health & Wellness. Mayo Clinic Minute: Lifestyle changes to manage menopause symptoms. Deb Balzer. May 3, 2021. The average healthy woman begins menopause at 51, though some women will begin in their 40s or in their late 50s. It's a natural biological process that marks the time a woman ends her menstrual cycle.
