Night Sweats, Menopause and Hormones: What’s Really Going On?
Night Sweats: The Worst “Freezer-to-Oven” Experience
Night sweats are like hot flushes but in the middle of your sleep. It’s as if your body decides that sleep is overrated and it’s time to turn your bed into a water park. If you’ve ever woken up drenched in sweat, pulling the covers off, and wondering if you’ve just survived an apocalypse, you’re not alone.
What Happens:
- Profuse sweating during sleep (you’ll likely need to change sheets more often than you’d like)
- Waking up shivering from the cold after sweating buckets
Night sweats are often linked to hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause. This sudden shift in temperature is your body’s way of keeping things interesting, even when you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep.
What You Can Do:
Sleep in moisture-wicking fabrics
You know that feeling when you wake up soaked like you’ve run a marathon in your dreams? Yep, same. Switch to moisture-wicking sleepwear or natural fabrics like bamboo or cotton—anything that helps you stay dry and doesn’t cling like cling wrap. Ditch the flannelette pyjamas (sorry, nostalgia) and find something that breathes with you, not against you.
Keep the room cool
Turn down the temp, open a window, or invest in a fan that won’t sound like a jet engine. A cooler room can help stop those sudden heat waves from waking you up at all hours. Bonus points if you can get your partner on board with less doona-sharing (love you, but get your furnace feet off me).
Try herbal teas, like chamomile, before bed
Chamomile, peppermint, or valerian root can help calm the nervous system and ease you into sleep. Just make sure they’re caffeine-free—because a hot flush and insomnia? No thanks. Sip slowly, breathe deeply, and give your nervous system a little love before lights out.
Bonus tip: Layer your bedding
Go for layers you can easily toss off or pull on without having to remake the bed at 3am. Keep a towel nearby too if your pillow turns into a puddle. Honestly, it’s all about outsmarting the sweat with a bit of prep and a lot of self-compassion.