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Sweating is a natural phenomenon. The sweat glands help keep the core body temperature at a comfortable level. However, excessive sweating can indicate an underlying health condition, especially when it is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, or unexplained weight loss. 

Night sweats are drenching sweats that occur at night for no obvious cause. The sweating is frequently heavy enough to soak through your clothes and bed linen. 

Women experience night sweats more frequently than men. Please continue reading to find out some of the possible conditions that can cause night sweats in women.

What are the common causes of night sweats?

Some of the common causes of night sweats in women and men include:

• An anxiety disorder

• Alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder

• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)

• Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or acid reflux)

• Stroke, spinal cord injury, or disorders of the autonomic nerves

• Infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, brucellosis, or valley fever

• Autoimmune disorders

• Inflammatory conditions such as endocarditis, Takayasu’s arteritis, and osteomyelitis

• Primary idiopathic hyperhidrosis (a condition in which there is excessive sweating)

• Pituitary hormone disorders and endocrine tumors

• Cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, carcinoid tumors, and pheochromocytoma

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS)

• Side effects of certain medications, including antidepressants, hormone treatments, diabetes medications (these can cause low blood sugar), cancer treatments, and methadone (a medicine used to treat opioid use disorders)

What is the cause of night sweats in females?

Menopause-related night sweats are common in women. They are frequently accompanied by other menopause symptoms such as hot flashes (a feeling of sudden warmth accompanied by a rapid heartbeat), mood swings, insomnia, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. These uncomfortable symptoms occur in perimenopausal women in the transitional period before they complete menopause and stop getting their menstrual cycle. Menopausal symptoms occur due to falling hormone levels. The average age for menopause is 52 years, but common symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats can continue for several years between the ages of 40 and 55. Find out How Long Does Menopause Last? Symptoms & Treatments.

Hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can also cause night sweats. Estrogen levels decrease in the days before a menstrual period. This is when you typically have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD or PMS) with symptoms such as cramps and irritability.

In addition, hormone fluctuations during pregnancy and lactation can also lead to night sweats in women (increased sweating at night). 

What do night sweats indicate?

As mentioned above, night sweats are a common symptom associated with hormonal changes during menopause. They are often accompanied by menopausal hot flashes and other vasomotor symptoms. 

Persistent night sweats in women who are not perimenopausal can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. They should be investigated further.

Note: Excessive sweating at night because your bedroom is too warm or you are using too many blankets does not qualify as night sweats. It is only called a night sweat if you start sweating at night for no obvious reason.

What can I do to reduce night sweats?

If you are experiencing night sweats and there is no identifiable medical cause, the first thing you should do is keep the air conditioning in your bedroom at a comfortable temperature so that your body temperature does not increase, causing night sweats. 

It is also a good idea to avoid hot showers, hot drinks, alcohol, and spicy foods in the hours before you fall asleep. 

If you have anxiety, talk to your healthcare provider about getting treatment. Simple measures, such as breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation, can help you stay calm and control physical symptoms like night sweats. 

Other measures that can help improve sleep quality include getting regular exercise during the daytime and maintaining a healthy body weight. Obesity is a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea, which can cause night sweats. 

If you continue experiencing night sweats despite these measures, it is important to have them evaluated. If left untreated, night sweats can cause sleep disturbances and excessive daytime sleepiness. This can make it difficult to focus and concentrate during the day and put you at risk of accidents and injuries.

Why are night sweats a red flag?

If you are experiencing night sweats, they may be an early symptom of underlying health conditions that should be diagnosed and treated. For example, if you have menopause-related night sweats, then menopausal hormone therapy may provide relief. 

On the other hand, if sleep medicine studies show obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep expert may recommend wearing a CPAP machine. 

If medications used to treat diabetes are causing night sweats, your doctor may adjust your dose or switch you to another medicine.

Therefore, the treatment for night sweats can be very different depending on the underlying cause. It’s important to be evaluated and get the proper diagnosis. 

When should I be worried about night sweats?

If you have persistent night sweats that prevent you from getting good quality sleep, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider. It is especially important to seek care from a health professional if you experience night sweats and have other symptoms such as fever or weight loss. Your doctor will make a diagnosis and recommend the appropriate treatment, for example, hormone replacement therapy for menopause-related night sweats and hot flashes.

Check out our blog to learn “What Causes Night Sweats in Men?”