Menopause is a natural transition in a woman's life, when she leaves her childbearing years behind and enters another phase, when menstruation ends. But for many women, natural doesn't mean easy. Sundry symptoms can accompany menopause, and for many women, those symptoms include hot flashes and night sweats. Night sweats can also arise during the perimenopausal period before menopause, which can last for several years. The effects of menopause can be lessened in some cases by a change in diet and an increased intake of vitamin D. If you're in perimenopause or if you have entered menopause, ask your doctor if vitamin D might help to alleviate your symptoms.
Causes
Night sweats are usually accompanied by hot flashes. The hypothalamus gland gets mixed signals because of an increased level of progesterone in the bloodstream. Your body then responds as though it were exposed to extreme heat by increasing blood flow to the skin and inducing sweating. While this is most common in menopause, it can also happen because of chemical imbalances in women who aren't menopausal and even in men.
Diet
In many cases, diet and exercise can have an appreciable effect on your condition. Many of your body's functions can be regulated by decreasing the amount of meat you eat and increasing your fruit and vegetable intake. While this isn't proven, some studies suggest that meats such as beef and pork have hormones that can play havoc with your hormonal balance and even bring about early-onset menopause. Eliminating these foods could ease your night sweats.
Effect of Vitamin D on Night Sweats
Vitamin D increases the amount of calcium your body absorbs. This not only helps to prevent bone loss, a serious consideration during menopause, but also can reduce the effects of hot flashes and night sweats by helping to regulate calcium uptake. Calcium is important in many of your body's functions, including muscle function and hormone and blood pH balance.
Sources of Vitamin D
Although you can always take a supplement, getting your vitamin D from food is better. Mackerel, salmon and canned tuna are rich sources of vitamin D. Milk and orange juice are also commonly fortified with vitamin D. The easiest way to boost your vitamin D is to spend some time in the sun. But if it's hard for you to be outside because of your excessive sweating, rely on food or supplements to get your vitamin D.
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