Menopause can be a difficult, stressful transition, with many women seeking treatment for their symptoms, including night sweats. Fortunately, since night sweats are such a common menopause symptom, there are many readily available treatments. Learn more about how to manage night sweats.
Night Sweats Defined
Many women who are suffering from night sweats actively seek relief from their symptoms. The effects of night sweats can be extremely uncomfortable and sometimes even embarrassing.
So, what are night sweats? Night sweats are the body's reaction to fluctuating estrogen levels that occur during menopause. When estrogen levels drop, the body perceives an extremely high body temperature and immediately releases a large amount of heat. This will cause a woman to wake during the night and can severely interrupt normal sleep patterns. Fortunately, there are many ways to get effective help for night sweats.
Help for Night Sweats
Help for night sweats can come in a variety of forms. Many women are surprised to find that they have a lot of control over the occurrence of night sweats. Simple dietary changes can help in alleviating this condition. Continue reading to for tips for preventing night sweats triggers, including:
- Avoiding hot and spicy foods, hot drinks, alcoholic beverages, and acidic foods.
- Wearing moisture-wicking nightclothes.
- Avoiding warm environments.
- Avoiding hot showers and baths before going to bed.
- Drinking plenty of water.
Many women report a decrease in the frequency and severity of their night sweats when incorporating these changes into their daily life. However, if the lifestyle changes don't seem to work, other options are available. Read on to find out more.
Alternative Treatments for Night Sweats
Women who have implemented these lifestyle changes, but who have not been able to improve the symptom, have other options available.These treatment options include acupuncture, herbal remedies, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Each woman will respond differently to these treatments and may find one more effective than another.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a medicinal technique where fine sterile needles are inserted into various points in the skin. It helps promote inner balance and relieve pain. The majority of women report acupuncture is a pain-free procedure. Acupuncture, alongside lifestyle changes, can be helpful for women trying to decrease the frequency and severity of their symptoms.
Herbal remedies
Perhaps the most successful and safest treatment for night sweats are herbal remedies. Some herbal supplements don't contain hormones, and instead they work by nourishing the pituitary and endocrine glands, which are responsible for secreting hormones, and stimulate natural production of hormones.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Another effective treatment option for women suffering from night sweats is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). However, there is evidence that HRT raises a woman's risk of developing blood clots, as well as an increased likelihood of stroke, heart disease, and several types of cancer. It is important for a woman to recognize the risks involved when considering HRT as a night sweats treatment.
Most importantly, women must understand that menopause is not an illness. It is a natural biological transition and its symptoms are experienced by many women. Visit the following link to learn more about help for night sweats.
Sources
- Boston Women's Health Collective. "Hot Flashes, Night Sweats and Sleep Disturbances." Our Bodies, Ourselves, 2006.
- The National Institute of Health.(n.d)."Signs of the Menopausal Transition." Retrieved from www.nih.gov.
- Von Muhlen, DG, et al. "A community-based study of menopause symptoms and estrogen replacement in older women." Maturitas. Sept 1995; 22(2): 71-8.