What is the Connection Between Perimenopause and Night Sweats?

The connection between perimenopause and night sweats is related to fluctuating hormones. As levels of estrogen and circulating progesterone increase and decrease, the body's ability to regulate temperature is affected. Hot flashes and night sweats are common complaints of women entering perimenopause and menopause. Typically, perimenopause and night sweats affect most women, however, some experience worse symptoms than others. Other symptoms that accompany perimenopause and night sweats include irregular bleeding, vaginal dryness, and mood swings.

Sometimes perimenopause and night sweats are disruptive to a persons life, which causes them to seek medical intervention. Although many physicians recommend that individuals use home remedies, sometimes hormonal replacement therapy is suggested, when symptoms become intolerable. Hormone replacement therapy regulates hormonal levels, so they are very good at relieving symptoms, however, their success comes with risks. Women who take hormone replacement therapy might be putting themselves at risk for breast and uterine cancer. Therefore, they need to discuss the pros and cons with their physicians to determine if this treatment is appropriate for them.

Home remedies such as eliminating spicy foods from the diet, abstaining from alcohol and caffeine, and wearing loose-fitting clothes can help with symptoms of perimenopause and night sweats. In addition, maintaining a healthy weight can also lessen the incidence and severity of hot flashes. It can be beneficial for women to seek nutritional counseling from a dietician who can suggest healthy meal plans that can reduce symptoms and prevent obesity. Anxiety can also aggravate symptoms of perimenopause and night sweats. Typically, feeling anxious during the day and before bedtime can elicit a reaction that can promote hot flashes and night sweats.

Occasionally, the physician will suggest alternative remedies such as herbal treatments and vitamin therapy to alleviate symptoms of perimenopause and night sweats. Remedies such as black cohosh, magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 can be beneficial in relieving symptoms related to menopause. Hormonal changes can begin years before the actual menopause takes place, so early treatment interventions can help symptoms from becoming worse. Commonly, night sweats are accompanied by heart palpitations, which can worsen anxiety. Doctors need to reinforce that this is common, and typically not symptomatic of a serious health condition.

Many women only experience mild symptoms that are usually temporary. Others, however, are subject to years of severe hot flashes, night sweats, palpitations, and irregular bleeding. For these women, symptoms could persist beyond menopause, and last throughout their lifetime. Although symptoms usually do get better as time goes on, many women still complain of hot flashes and night sweats well into their 70s and beyond.