Hot flashes at night, sometimes called "night sweats," are a common symptom experienced by women during pre-menopause and menopause. According to the North American Menopause Society, it is speculated that a drop in estrogen causes changes in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls temperature. The hypothalamus gets a wrong signal that a woman is too hot and sets off a chain of events to cool her down. Blood vessels dilate on the skin's surface, causing a flush and perspiration may follow as part of the process. At night, this situation can keep a woman awake or at least interfere with her restful night's sleep. Identifying the causes or triggers for night sweats can help resolve the unpleasant occurrences.
Warm Room
The temperature of the room can trigger a hot flash in someone, leading to perspiration and the uncomfortable feeling of a night sweat. MayoClinic.com suggests that a warm room can be a contributing cause for a hot flash at night, whereas a cool room can often preclude them.
Stress
Stress is the number one trigger for hot flashes during the day or even at night, according to a study by the Samuel Merritt University School of Nursing and published in the May-June 2009 "Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, Neonatal Nursing." Women that have difficulty coping with stress are more inclined to have hot flashes.
Hot Drinks
Hot beverages are also a possible trigger for hot flashes at night. Although a warm drink will normally be a good way to warm up, a hot drink before bedtime may be a contributing factor to night sweats for some menopausal women.
Spicy Foods
Some people find hot spicy foods will cause them to overheat and even begin to perspire. Women during pre-menopause or menopause may want to avoid spicy meals at night if they notice that these foods trigger a hot flash.
Alcohol
Alcohol can cause flushing of the skin and during menopause can trigger a hot flash. Some women will find that a glass of alcohol may initiate a hot flash at night, yet others will not have any problem.
Hot Weather
During menopause, hot days and nights can trigger night sweats, according to MayoClinic.com. Some women find that the summer months exacerbate their hot flashes at night and make sleeping difficult.
