During the perimenopause phase, ovaries are producing less estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, which directly affects the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus can be considered as the body’s internal thermometer – it signals the body to cool off through perspiration when body temperature suddenly rises. 

Some home remedies that can help with combating night sweats include:

• Drinking cold water consistently throughout the night
• Wearing loose-fitting, lightweight clothing
• Implementing daily exercise
• Using a fan/leaving windows open throughout the night to prevent sudden high body temperature
• Avoiding: alcohol, spicy foods, caffeine, cigarettes, or exercising right before bed

Night sweats can often persist for a couple years for people, but tend to improve or become more manageable over time. There are clinical ways to handle the symptoms if they become too unbearable.

It is often treated with hormone (estrogen or progestin) therapy, which can also help with other perimenopausal/menopausal symptoms, such as bone loss and vaginal dryness.  

Non-hormone therapies/medications used to treat night sweats are:

• Anticonvulsants: also used for preventing/controlling seizures
• Antidepressants: low dosages of Brisdelle has been FDA-approved to treat hot flashes
• Clonidine: also used for high blood pressure, ADHD, and anxiety
• Megestrol: also used to treat breast and uterine cancers
• Oxybutynin: also used for urinary conditions

-Written by Kaila An MPH