Menopause Night Sweats and Hormonal Imbalances Make for Lousy Sleep

Contrary to some popular beliefs, night sweats are not necessarily a sleeping disorder. Rather, in women menopause night sweats are hot flashes that occur during the night while sleeping. It is widely accepted that night sweats and hormonal imbalances go together, especially in women in perimenopause. As their hormone production decreases, estrogen levels decline and progesterone levels increase, which signals to the body's cooling system and results in sweating.

It has also been shown that endorphin levels also drop. This affects the nervous system by sending a biological hand to the internal thermostat, making the body believe it is hotter than it really is. It also starts sending subsequent signals to the hypothalamus, the internal thermostat, telling it that it needs to send in the cooling army. Blood vessels dilate to allow blood to run faster while the sweat glands are triggered to provide more surface moisture to cool off the body.

Hot flashes and night sweats are often accompanied by many uncomfortable feelings, including a generally feeling of being hot. Typically, in addition to feeling the intense heat in the face and upper torso, there will be an increase in the heart rate as it attempts to keep up with the flow demanded by dilated blood vessels. With many blood vessels close to the surface of the skin they can also cause red spots or flushing on the face and upper body. Menopause night sweats can be accompanied by nausea, headache and a feeling of anxiety. Once the symptom ends, the woman may also feel chilled as the body signals return to normal.

Some menopause medications and natural supplements are recommended to help reduce menopause night sweats and hormonal imbalances. However, it is possible to reduce the potential for night sweats through some common sense approaches to the sleeping arrangements. There is no need to sleep alone if the bed partner has a different thermostat, however it may be a wise move to buy a bigger bed. The last thing a woman experiencing an episode of night sweats wants is contact with a warm body. Additionally, the sleeping partner may not appreciate the usually chilled body rubbing against them in the night.

Steer clear of wool and many synthetic materials in the pajamas. Nylon and good old cotton are better at dispensing heat so that when the menopause night sweats do occur it may not feel as though the woman is trapped in an oven. Blankets may also not be appreciated when suffering from a nocturnal hot flash, but they will be when it ends and is replaced by chills. The person prone to night sweats may also want to sleep closer to a window that can be opened if needed.

Certain dietary considerations such as reducing or eliminating caffeine and nicotine should also be made to reduce the affects of menopause night sweats and hormonal imbalances. Alcohol should also be avoided at bedtime as it has been shown to cause a natural increase in body temperature in many menopausal women. In additional to any natural products to use for relief of menopause symptoms, taking the right steps to eliminate many of the environmental concerns can greatly reduce the intensity.