“If night sweats are waking you throughout the night, HT may improve sleep and fatigue, mood, ability to concentrate, and overall quality of life”.¹

Umbrella
What may the Night Sweats Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

Definition

What are night sweats?

DotS the definition of night sweats may vary. The North American Menopause Society’s (NAMS) definition is:

“Night sweats are hot flashes at night that interfere with sleep”.²

The Australasian Menopause Society’s (AMS) definition is:

“Night sweats are episodes of profuse sweating at night, either alone or just after a hot flush”.³

Vasomotor Symptoms

What are vasomotor symptoms?

The International Menopause Society’s (IMS) explain:

Severity

Is the severity of night sweats one-size-fits-all?

No. In NonHormonal Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms: Hot Flushes and Night Sweats (Vasomotor Symptoms) the AMS elaborate on:

“These symptoms range in severity from minor irritation to a major disruption in quality of life”.⁵

Quality of Life

Is there an association between night sweats and quality of life?

According to the IMS:

“Up to a quarter of women suffer a poorer quality of life because of hot flushes and night sweats associated with the menopause”.⁶

Irritability

Is there an association between irritability and night sweats?

In Menopause 101: A Primer for the Perimenopausal – Common Body Changes At Menopause: Night Sweats the NAMS elaborate on:

“While it’s a myth that menopause itself makes women irritable, the sleep disturbances that stem from hot flashes and night sweats can certainly make a woman irritable”.⁷

Mood

Is there an association between mood and night sweats?

In Mental Health & Emotions – Depression, Anxiety & Menopause the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health explain:

“In turn, the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes and night sweats, can affect mood and make some women feel depressed. Many women kept awake at night because of night sweats find they are exhausted, can’t think clearly and feel more negative because they have had poor quality sleep”.⁸

Strategies

What are some strategies to get relief from night sweats?

In Five Solutions for Menopause Symptoms – 3. Night Sweats the NAMS suggest:

Treatment

What are some treatments for night sweats?

The NAM’s explain:

“Treatments for night sweats and hot flashes include lifestyle changes, nonprescription remedies, hormone therapy (with estrogen plus progestogen, or estrogen alone for women without a uterus), and nonhormonal prescription drugs”.¹⁰

Hormone Therapy

What may hormone therapy (HT) improve?

On page one in Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Benefits published in June 2017, the NAMS elaborate on:

“If night sweats are waking you throughout the night, HT may improve sleep and fatigue, mood, ability to concentrate, and overall quality of life. Treatment of bothersome hot flashes and night sweats is the principal reason women use HT”.¹¹

On page two in Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Hormone Therapy Options the NAMS also elaborate on:

“Each woman must make her own decision about HT with the help of her healthcare provider. If you decide to take HT, the next step is to choose between the many HT options available to find the best dose and route for you . With guidance from your health care provider, you can try different forms of HT until you find the type and dose that treats your symptoms with few side effects”.¹²

Revised Global Consensus Statement

What is one of the points of consensus about menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and vasomotor symptoms (VMS)?

In the Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section A: Benefit/Risk Profile of MHT – endorsed by seven menopause-related organizations – published online 20 June 2016, one of the points of consensus is:

What are VMS?

DotS the definition of VMS may vary. The IMS’s definition is:

“Hot flushes and night sweats are also referred to as Vasomotor Symptoms (VMS)”.¹⁴

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with my night sweats?

If you would like help with your night sweats, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. In Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment the (United States) Mayo Clinic encourage us to seek help explaining:

“Before deciding on any form of treatment, talk with your doctor about your options and the risks and benefits involved with each. Review your options yearly, as your needs and treatment options may change”.¹⁵

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Topic Last Updated: 27 February 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 04 February 2021