Menopause marks the end of your reproductive years and is official when you’ve gone 12 months without a period. But symptoms tend to start well before you officially reach menopause.
Perimenopause, the transitional phase leading up to menopause is when symptoms such as night sweats often start to emerge.
At the Center for Women’s Health, we’re your partner in optimal well-being. OB/GYN Sharon Breit, MD, and our medical team are here to help. Don’t hesitate to stop in to see us to discuss options if you’re dealing with menopause symptoms. Night sweats are one of the most disruptive symptoms.
They can keep you from getting a good night’s sleep, and the resulting lack of sleep can have a major impact on how you feel and function.
Fortunately, we offer strategies and treatments to help you manage night sweats and restore your sleep.
Night sweats during menopause are sudden, intense episodes of sweating while you’re trying to sleep. It’s not unusual to wake up with your clothing and bedding drenched in sweat.
These episodes are due to hormonal fluctuations, particularly the decrease in estrogen levels, which affect your body's temperature regulation.
Making some practical lifestyle changes is a good place to start in reducing the frequency and intensity of night sweats. Begin by creating a cool sleeping environment. Keep your bedroom cool, and choose breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics for your pajamas and bedding.
Additionally, maintaining a regular sleep schedule and practicing good sleep hygiene can help your body better manage temperature changes.
Making a few changes in your diet can also help. Certain foods and beverages increase the risk of night sweats. Avoid spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol, especially in the evening.
Staying hydrated is essential for managing night sweats. Get lots of water throughout the day to help regulate your body temperature, and keep a glass of water by your bedside to stay hydrated during the night.
Cooling strategies, such as taking a cool shower before bed or using a cold pack, can provide immediate relief from overheating.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains the most effective solution for managing vasomotor symptoms such as night sweats. We offer various forms of HRT, including BioTe pellet therapy.
This form of HRT comes in a tiny pellet the size of a grain of rice that we inject right under the skin. Once in place, the pellet gradually releases hormones that restore balance and relieve symptoms of low estrogen, including night sweats.
HRT isn’t suitable for everyone. If HRT isn’t an option for you, several nonhormonal medications can help you manage night sweats. Certain antidepressant medications and anticonvulsants can improve vasomotor symptoms.
Additionally, a new nonhormonal oral medication, fezolinetant, effectively treats vasomotor symptoms. Fezolinetant works by blocking neurokinin-3 receptors, which are involved in regulating the activity of neurons that affect body temperature control.
They play a role in the brain's hypothalamus, which is the area responsible for temperature regulation.
Phytoestrogens, found in soy products and flaxseeds, have weak estrogenic effects and can help reduce menopausal symptoms. One study found that a diet rich in soy significantly improves vasomotor symptoms.
Consider adding soyfoods such as tofu, natto, soymilk, tempeh, and miso, along with flaxseeds to your diet.
If you’re struggling with menopause-related symptoms such as night sweats, contact us at the Center for Women’s Health to request an appointment. Our clinic is located in Wichita, Kansas.
