Hot flashes and night sweats are vasomotor symptoms that commonly occur during menopause. Night sweats are hot flashes that occur at night. They cause excessive sweating that can disrupt your sleep.
What Are Hot Flashes and Night Sweats?
Hot flashes and night sweats are common symptoms that occur during
perimenopause, the transition period leading up to menopause. They are characterized by a sudden, intense feeling of heat in the upper body, usually in the face, neck, and chest.
Also called vasomotor symptoms, hot flashes and night sweats are caused by hormonal changes that affect your body’s ability to regulate temperature. While the reason they occur isn’t fully understood, they are thought to be linked to
declining estrogen levels.
Vasomotor symptoms can last anywhere from several months to several years. Up to 80 percent of women experience vasomotor symptoms at some point during the menopause transition.
“The mean duration of hot flashes and night sweats is seven to nine years, and about one-third of women will flash for a decade or more. I have seen women in their eighties who still have them,” says Stephanie Faubion, MD, NAMS medical director and a NAMS-certified menopause practitioner.
How Do Hot Flashes Differ From Night Sweats?
Hot flashes and night sweats are both sudden changes in body temperature that make you feel too hot, prompting your body to “flash” to cool down.
They typically last between one and five minutes and may be accompanied by:
- Flushed skin, or skin that appears red or discolored
- Clammy skin
- Chills
- Rapid heartbeat
Night sweats are hot flashes that occur at night. While hot flashes may not cause sweating, night sweats cause you to sweat excessively. This sweating can be enough to soak through your clothes and bedding and disrupt sleep.
While they can occur during menopause, night sweats can also be a symptom of other conditions, such as infection, diabetes, and cancer.
What Triggers Hot Flashes and Night Sweats?
Many things can trigger hot flashes, and some of them may also cause night sweats. Common triggers of hot flashes and night sweats include:
- Wearing heavy clothing
- Drinking caffeine or alcohol
- Eating spicy foods
- Stress
- Drinking hot beverages like tea or hot chocolate
- Taking hot showers or baths
- Smoking cigarettes
Experiencing triggers closer to bedtime may lead to night sweats. Some research also suggests that factors like
sleep disorders,
depression, and
anxiety may contribute to night sweats.
What Else Causes Night Sweats?
Hormone changes during menopause and pregnancy aren’t the only causes of night sweats. They can also occur as a side effect of medications or a symptom of various conditions.
Other causes of night sweats include:
Always contact your healthcare provider to check for the underlying cause of your night sweats. Night sweats may be a sign of a serious problem.
When to See a Doctor
If menopausal hot flashes or night sweats are interfering with your sleep or daily life, contact your healthcare provider. Treatments are available that can help reduce vasomotor symptoms, including
hormone therapies, prescription medications, and lifestyle changes.
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