Changing levels of estrogen and progesterone in women lead to menopause. Menopausal symptoms can begin a few years before the onset of menopause and the final menstrual period. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) reports that hot flashes and night sweats may begin during the pre-menopausal period, known as perimenopause, and last for years following menopause. Menopause is not a disease but a natural aging process, though remedies for menopause night sweats can be taken to reduce the severity of the symptoms. The North American Menopause Society reports that while irritability during menopause is a myth, the side effects of fatigue from lack of sleep due to night sweats can cause mood swings and irritability.
Lifestyle
The NIA recommends that women keep a diary of their night sweat experiences by keeping a notepad near the bed. Record the time and duration of the episode that caused the sleep disruption. Patterns may emerge from the records, such as certain foods that were eaten that evening or types of bedclothes that were worn. Sheets and clothes made of fabric that breathes, such as cotton, can help to relieve the severity of a night sweating episode. Consider what beverages were consumed before bedtime and whether a fan was on or not. When evaluating the journal accounts, think of what exercise was preformed that day and what other triggers may have contributed to the heat.
Environment
By adjusting the environment, the severity of the night sweats can be reduced. Perhaps the thermostat needs to be lowered and additional covers added to keep warm. Blankets are easy to take off when a night sweat hits, while cooling down an entire room takes longer. Night sweats tend to last from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Keeping a cold glass of water next to the bed can provide soothing comfort during a period of night sweats.
Hormone Therapy
When night sweats interfere with a woman's quality of life and interrupts sleep to the point of affecting the day's activities, she may consider taking hormone therapy drugs. When night sweats occur during the perimenopausal period, birth control pills often can help to alleviate the symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs that include both estrogen and progesterone allow many women to avoid the severe symptoms of menopause. HRT drugs do carry various side effects however, such as an increased risk for breast cancer, and should be used at the lowest doses possible.
