Going through menopause can be hard enough, now imagine going through it while constantly being tired, stressed, and irritated.
Night sweats are one of the most common symptoms of menopause and usually goes together with hot flashes. Many women suffer from them, and must then suffer the consequences the following day…
Why do night sweats happen?
In short: Hormones. Most menopause problems can be taken back to the same root cause, which is a decrease in the body’s estrogen levels as part of the natural course that leads to menopause.
Night sweats usually happen when the hot flashes cause excessive sweating during the night when you are sleeping. This can be very disruptive to your life and relationships.
While we usually like to see night sweats as a single symptom of menopause, the truth is that it can lead to other symptoms in your day-to-day life that can be disruptive in a more direct manner.
The 7 most common and most disruptive consequences of menopausal night sweats include:
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Fatigue –
A common result of night sweats since waking up sweating and feeling uncomfortable in bed can cause sleeplessness and not getting sufficient rest.
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An increase in stress levels –
When you are not sleeping well, your hormones can become unbalanced, which includes your cortisol levels. Cortisol is the stress hormone, and higher cortisol levels due to a lack of sleep can cause your stress levels to shoot up.
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Irritability –
We have all been there… Snapping at everything and everyone because you are feeling tired and annoyed from not getting enough sleep the previous night.
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Sleep disorders –
Constantly waking up in the middle of the night, covered in sweat can result in other sleeping disorders – which causes even less sleep!
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Insomnia –
Sleeping less and less can cause you to stop sleeping altogether. Insomnia can become a major problem and you might end up lying awake just waiting for your next episode of hot flashes and night sweats.
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Difficulty concentrating –
When you don’t get your needed rest, your body and mind become drained. This can cause you to suffer a severe lack of concentration, even on daily activities that you should be able to do with your eyes closed – ironic.
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Exhaustion –
Constantly having a bad night’s sleep can leave you feeling more than simply fatigued; it can leave you absolutely exhausted. You may feel that you have no energy whatsoever, and even the smallest task starts to feel like a mountain you have to climb.
To lower the chance of getting fatigue from night sweats, you need to be aware of the triggers that cause them and how to boost your defences from the signs and symptoms of menopause.
These triggers include too much bedding, a bed partner, hot room, sauna, hot tub, warm weather, anxiety, stress, dreams, alcohol, caffeine, spicy food, drugs and smoking.
