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Menopause

Bed linen for hot flushes

37 replies

fairyofallthings · 27/09/2017 20:28

I'm considering changing my duvet as I wake up drenched in sweat.

Has anybody found a particularly good duvet? Ta.

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Bumblebeebuzzybee · 27/09/2017 20:31

Try a pure wool duvet (ours is from baavet) - I find they are good at helping regulate body temperature - I think for hot flushes though you'd need their lightest weight one. They are expensive but so much less sweaty to sleep under!

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arousingcheer · 29/09/2017 11:15

OP have you thought of using a top sheet and blanket with a light duvet or quilt over the top? Or any sort of two-layer system where you have a light layer and a heavier layer (eg duvet + quilt).

In the winter we use a duvet with a light quilt on top. I often find I like to cling to the heavier duvet (like a body pillow) while covering myself with the light quilt, but if it cools down in the night I can pull the duvet back over myself. It means I can adjust my 'coverage' throughout the night.

It has been very warm and humid at night. I came to bed last night and thought my dh had closed the window but when I checked it was still open. Unusual for so late in Sept.

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Terrylene · 29/09/2017 15:22

I have gone through several duvets over quite a few years. I haven't tried a wool one as they are too expensive for me.

I have a light one that fits in the washing machine in the summer, a sheet if it is too hot for it, and a blanket that goes over the top if it is too cool.

I have a thicker microfiber one that I got from Sainsbury's in the winter (you can get them anywhere now). If it is really cold, I put the blanket over, or the summer duvet if it is really, really cold.

I have always found a glass of water by the bed useful for cooling down.

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CrabappleCake · 29/09/2017 15:27

Wool duvet = mine was from Soak and sleep. It really helped. I stopped waking up feeling like I was in a cold swimming pool.

It regulates my body heat. Tried lots of other things like wicking pyjamas, blankets and sheets - the wool duvet sorted it.

I still had the hot flushes but they didn't wake me up feeling all cold and clammy.

The night sweats have pretty much stopped now once I got started on HRT. Just get a couple a month now.

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Silverstreaks · 02/10/2017 10:27

I use a lightweight Fogarty 4.5 tog single quilt. It is bliss.
I sleep naked but overheat at night and this quilt allows me to get a good night's sleep now. No more freezing after I've kicked the covers off. Husband uses a 7.5 at the moment.

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Fairylea · 02/10/2017 10:30

I had hot flushes from medication and in the end it was my mattress that was making it so much worse. If you have anything other than a pocket sprung cotton top one that might be part of the issue. We had a memory foam one and every night I’d be changing my pjs 3 times a night.

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PollyPerky · 02/10/2017 10:39

I don't know why there is all this faffing about with bed linen when the way to stop night sweats and all the other horrors of meno is HRT! Benefits outweigh risks up to age 60 at least and possibly to 70+ (benefits mean the impact on your whole health not just meno symptoms.)

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Discoisabelle · 02/10/2017 12:51

Amen to this Polly

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janinlondon · 02/10/2017 13:00

Quite a lot of us cant take HRT Polly....

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fairyofallthings · 02/10/2017 13:38

I can't use hrt either. Thsnks for the suggestions.

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BIWI · 02/10/2017 13:39

... or don't want to take it!

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PollyPerky · 02/10/2017 14:10

If you really can't use HRT that's fine!
If you don't want to take it, that's fine too!

But for each of the above, please just make sure that you are absolutely 100% correctly informed.

I've lost count of the number of posters here who think they can't use HRT but have misconceptions about their risks ( such as irrelevant family history of heart stuff, cancer, high BP, migraines etc) and even breast cancer is not a complete no-no for certain types of HRT.

And if you don't want to take it, be aware of the risks of estrogen-deficiency for 30-40 years post meno as par of your decision.

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fuzzyfozzy · 02/10/2017 14:12

Another vote for a wool duvet

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PollyPerky · 02/10/2017 14:13

janinlondon and fairyIf you cannot take HRT then your specialist / oncologist (whichever dr says so) should be helping you with the alternatives available. That is their role!!!


If it's your GP saying you can't use it, then you need to ask why because many GPs know very little about HRT and withhold it incorrectly.

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3wayburger · 02/10/2017 14:14

I’ve been putting then cooling pads inside by pillow case and one at the bottom of the bed for my feet.
They seem to help.

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fairyofallthings · 02/10/2017 21:43

I was wondering about a down duvet - we went camping recently and the tent we hired had down duvets on the beds, it was so light and warm enough for camping despite being quite thin. My duvet is quite thick and heavy.

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Fex · 02/10/2017 21:49

I go for layers. Two single duvets on the bed so DH doesn't freeze. I have a cotton sheet and a 4 tog duvet. Sometimes I wear a thin spaghetti strap nightie which can absorb sweat or stop you from freezing if you throw off all covers.
Agree that mattress is a factor and memory foam is the worst.

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missyB1 · 02/10/2017 22:01

I'm glad I found this thread, I'm suffering badly at the moment. Definitely can't take HRT (breast cancer last year). I'm using a cold gel pad in my pillow and window wide open, it does help but the duvet is too hot. I think DH and I might have to get seperate duvets.

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PollyPerky · 02/10/2017 22:13

If you really cannot take HRT for medical reasons, is your specialist not offering you other meds or referring you to a menopause specialist? Mine consultant treats women who have had BC and some are using certain HRT.

Various ADs are advised for women who have had cancer and cannot take HRT.

Scroll down to point 1.4.25

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/Recommendations#managing-short-term-menopausal-symptoms

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fairyofallthings · 02/10/2017 22:16

Polly I am not interested in discussing HRT or alternatives, I just wanted some suggestions for bed linen. Thank you anyway.

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LittleWitch · 02/10/2017 22:20

I use a 4.5tog down duvet with cotton cover and bottom sheet. Also down pillows. My top tip is separate duvets, so two singles on the bed. Makes a huge difference to the quality of sleep for both of you.

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BIWI · 02/10/2017 23:51

I have no idea if these will work or help, but they sound interesting!

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PollyPerky · 03/10/2017 08:09

Polly I am not interested in discussing HRT or alternatives, I just wanted some suggestions for bed linen.

Fine. Carry on sweating :)

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janinlondon · 03/10/2017 10:45

Polly your posts are astounding and show a complete disregard for other posters. I am not here to tell you about my medical history, but rest assured that the best surgeons in the best teaching hospitals in London are not wrong about what I can and cannot take. The poor OP does not need your ill-advised posturing on this. Your last post was just plain rude.

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PollyPerky · 03/10/2017 10:51

I'm offering information. You or anyone else doesn't have to take it.

I have no interest in your personal medical history. This is a public forum though and many women who can't use HRT genuinely, may want to know what else is out there.

And please don't attempt to 'pull rank about your treatment with the best drs. But if you insist, mine is a top London consultant and the info I've posted comes straight from my experience with them over 10 years.

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