Night sweats

[theDudesmummy]

I am 49, just coming into menopause and the night sweats are just killing me! Anyone have any good advice/treatments apart from HRT, which I am not too keen on going onto?

[MissBoPeep]

If you don't want HRT then you can try alternative herbal remedies such as black cohosh and red clover.

None has been shown in trials to be really effective but some women say they help.

Have a look at this site for lots of advice

//www.menopausematters.co.uk

[TessCowDirect]

I used Menolieve (from Boots) and found it really helped the night sweats and my mood swings.

[theDudesmummy]

Thanks for that. I have started Menopace Plus, which was also available at Boots, but no result yet (two days only though!). Will try Menolieve if this does not help. Has anyone had any experience with the black cohosh route?

[SecretSantaSquirrels]

I've had them off and on for two years now, often several times a night. I don't take anything so can't advise on that but a small tip is to wear a thin nightie. Sounds odd when you are getting so hot but I find it helps as I tend to fall asleep after pushing the duvet off and then wake up frozen. I have a huge fan by the bed as well which nearly blasts DH off the bed.

[theDudesmummy]

Not a bad tip, thanks! I don't usually wear anything in bed but have found a thin cotton nightie or t-shirt may be better than nothing, soaks up some of the sweat (sorry rather yukky!) and stops me freezing when I have pushed everything off. DH is not too happy as I will not allow any heating in the bedroom and he has taken to pointedly sleeping in a fleece top!

[Missbopeep]

Why on earth suffer like this when HRT can stop all of this?
Unless you have a dodgy medical history such as stroke, heart disease or breast cancer then all the latest research shows it's safe for women to take up to the age of 60.

[whizmum]

I have woken up in the night wet for years, despite being on the pill. My biggest problem is that I have to get warm (I have very cold feet problems) before I can get to sleep, then I am too hot in the night.

My latest method is to keep the heating on low (16) all night, use a summer duvet, with a single over the foot area and an old fashioned cotton quilt over it all. I then have a bath or shower to get warm before I go to bed so I do not need too much in the way of covers and am less likely to overheat during the night. The cotton nightdress is essential, as you can change it during the night if it is too wet and it stops the bedding getting quite so wet!!

At the moment, I am on progesterone only and either that has helped, or the above. I have no idea if I am menopausal, post menopausal, or just permanently ill!

[SecretSantaSquirrels]

Yes at 54 years old I now sleep with the window open for the first time.
I would do HRT if it was ruining my life but it's tolerable and my mum has had a stroke so not worth the risk at the moment.

[theDudesmummy]

I'm perimenopausal but still taking progesterone only pill (don't want to take any chances!). I have a big fear of breast cancer (amounting to a severe health anxiety in fact), so what to try and avoid HRT as I think that would just increase my anxiety levels.

I keep the heating off at night and have no radiators on in the bedroom at any time (have a little electric blower heater there for when we wake up in the morning, it reminds me of winter mornings in Johannesburg , where I grew up, the running freezing out of bed and dashing to the little blower heater then huddling over it as you dress!).

[Missbopeep]

Secret most people will die of either cancer , heart disease or stroke. This is a fact. Unless your mum had a stroke before the age of 50 then the hereditary risk is not worth considering. In fact the most recent evidence shows that there is no increased risk at all with eirther stroke or cancer- google the Danish study/BMJ if you want to read the full abract of the research.

theDudes I don't want to underestimate your issues but if your fears amount to a mental health issue then are you receiving help for that?

I'm not an HRT evangalist by any means but I think it's a shame when wmen make sweeping generalisations about risk that are based on media info from years back which has now been shown to be flawed.

The women in the older trials were 60+, very overweight, smokers, many years past menopause, taking mainly Premarin ( made from horse urine which is not the case with most HRT now) and far from having a healthy lifestyle.

It's a personal choice of course, but make it when you really know all the facts and your absolute personal risk- risk is a fact of life and TBH you are more at risk from driving you car.

Not being awkward here- but statistically it's a fact.

If your meno symptoms don't make life unbearable then it's fine to say you don't want to try HRY- but if you are dog tired through lack of sleep and there is a tiny, tiny risk of side effects it's maybe worth considering.

[theDudesmummy]

Oh god yes I have had loads of help for my anxiety disorder (meds, psychotherapy etc), it is fine right now, but don't want to risk resurgence atm to be honest (stressful time in life, special needs child, loads of things going on etc etc). I will live with the night sweats for now, but if they really start to impair my life significantly then I would consider HRT (I drink, for example, so take that additional risk on board knowingly, so am aware I am not being totally logical!).

[Missbopeep]

Might be worth thinking about lifestyle measures o reduce stress- which really does make flushes and sweats worse- and perhaps something like yoga, meditation and exercise which are meant to be helpful. And yes, 1 drink a day post meno incurs the same if not more risk than HRT!

[KT12]

I too started suffering night sweats...so researched many options...read many posts on here...went to my GP...and opted for HRT...the night sweats stopped as did flushes and the insomnia went too. Hurrah, I thought until I started to bleed very very heavily and I bled and bled for almost two months. Came off the HRT and all those symptoms returned. Returned to my GP, who referred me for an ultrasound scan, went today and all seems normal. In the meantime am taking Menolieve and do still have mild sweats, but am sleeping...so I know what some of you are going to say, I have to try a different HRT...I just can't face all that bleeding again...I will have another chat with the GP, but in the meantime plan to pursue with Menolieve.

[EileenDurward]

You could try Sage tablets, 1 tablet before bed and Liquid Magnesium with your evening meal. Sage is traditionally used for hot flushes/night sweats and magnesium can calm your nervous system down aiding a good night?s sleep.

Eileen

[alemci]

I haven't entered the menopause yet but I do get night sweats especially when I have my period. I also get itching in my breasts.

I must admit I don't like the sound of the hormone replacement and would rather try natural stuff when the time comes. Isn't it just prolonging things and artificial.

[glasscompletelybroken]

Menopace is working for me - it does take a while to have ab effect though, 10-14 days I think.

I was having really bad nights, waking up sweating every hour or so.