Many women experience uncomfortable hot flashes and night sweats during menopause. These symptoms can significantly impact their quality of life. But there are numerous ways to alleviate these symptoms and find greater well-being.

Hot Flashes and Sleep Disturbances in Menopause

Hot flashes and sleep disturbances often become more frequent at the onset of menopause.

A common cause of secondary hyperhidrosis can be menopause, the transition period in a woman's life from her reproductive years to her post-reproductive years. Menopause typically begins in a woman's mid-40s. The time of the last menstrual period, called menopause, occurs around age 51 on average in Central Europe today. However, menopause at 45 or 55 is also perfectly normal.

Some women experience premature menopause, with its corresponding hormonal changes, due to factors like chemotherapy or ovary removal, or sometimes for no apparent reason. Premature menopause is defined as the last menstrual period occurring before age 40.

Hot Flashes and Hyperhidrosis

"Menopause is the transitional phase between a woman's reproductive years and the time after."

Menopause isn't a disease but a natural stage of life. This transition is characterized by significant hormonal changes. Before, during the reproductive years, the hormones estrogen and progesterone maintained balance and regulated the menstrual cycle. Now, the production of these hormones in the ovaries decreases.

This not only leads to irregular periods but can also have various other effects. Hot flashes are certainly among the most common and well-known. Sweating or night sweats can also increase during menopause, with the severity of symptoms varying from woman to woman and changing throughout the menopausal process.

• The mucous membranes of the vagina become drier and more susceptible to infections.
• Vaginal dryness can lead to pain during intercourse or more frequent bladder infections.
• Hormonal changes can cause temporary sleep disturbances.
• Mood swings and depressive moods can also be attributed to these hormonal changes.
• Persistent symptoms should always be discussed with a doctor.

Nearly 90% of women experience hot flashes during menopause.

Periods don't stop overnight. Fluctuations and changes in the menstrual cycle precede menopause. For some women, the time between periods becomes longer or shorter, the menstrual flow may become heavier or last longer, and spotting may occur. Any noticeable changes should be discussed with a gynecologist. Many women gain weight during menopause, even though they may lose some muscle mass. Exercise and a balanced diet can help counteract this. The risk of osteoporosis also increases. Again, exercise and a healthy diet are beneficial to prevent calcium loss in the bones. The risk of cardiovascular disease also increases. Exercise and a healthy diet are helpful here as well. About one-third of women experience relatively minor disruptions during menopause. For the others, hot flashes and sweating are the most common and bothersome symptoms.

Hot flashes usually spread from the torso up through the neck, face, and upper arms. They are accompanied by skin redness, heavy sweating, and often a rapid heartbeat. These hot flashes can last from a few seconds to several minutes. The frequency with which they occur can also vary greatly. Some women experience them up to thirty times a day. Hot flashes can occur alone or in combination with sweating. Hyperhidrosis due to menopause is a special case in that menopause isn't a disease but simply a stage of life, and it's also temporary, lasting about five years. Nevertheless, the distress can be significant. In about one-third of all women, the symptoms are so severe that they significantly impact their quality of life.

As with any secondary hyperhidrosis, it's essential to address the underlying cause, which in this case is hormonal change. The affected woman should consult a specialist who can offer various medication options.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) attempts to mitigate the hormonal changes by providing either estrogen alone (monotherapy) or estrogen and progestin (combination therapy). Monotherapy is more commonly used when the patient no longer has a uterus; otherwise, combination therapy is usually preferred because estrogen without progestin can cause excessive growth of the uterine lining, increasing the risk of uterine cancer. Both therapies can be very effective, but they are not without side effects and are sometimes controversial. The doctor should carefully determine whether the therapy is right for the patient. HRT should always be used for the shortest possible time and at the lowest effective dose; the doctor will adjust this very carefully.

What Can You Do About Sweating During Menopause?

"Surgical interventions for hyperhidrosis during menopause are generally not recommended due to the limited time frame."

Phytoestrogens are also commonly used. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that have hormone-like effects. Herbal remedies with these effects can be helpful in mitigating the negative effects of menopause. Lady's mantle, black cohosh, and soy are well-known, but these substances are also found in red clover, sage, soy, and yarrow. They can be very helpful, especially for mild to moderate symptoms. However, it's still advisable to consult a specialist.

A healthy lifestyle with sufficient exercise and a balanced diet, along with adequate rest and time for oneself, can also help alleviate menopausal symptoms. Menopause often coincides with a time of life changes for many women. Children leave home, and partnerships need to be redefined. Meditation or coaching can also be helpful here.

In addition, the well-known measures against excessive sweating are helpful for hyperhidrosis during menopause.

• Breathable clothing,
• Avoiding excess weight and stress,
• Drinking enough fluids,
• Avoiding spicy foods and stimulants can help

to manage the problem.

Unlike other forms of hyperhidrosis, night sweats are quite typical of menopause-related sweating. It's helpful to use bedding that absorbs moisture well (such as linen) or cooling bedding (microfiber satin or silk). Several thinner blankets layered together help to choose the right level of coverage.

Surgical interventions for hyperhidrosis are generally not recommended due to the limited time frame. However, gentler treatments such as antiperspirants or deodorants, functional clothing, or underarm pads can certainly help the affected woman feel comfortable in her skin again and get through the time of hormonal changes and hot flashes.

You can find more tips in our "Sweating Guide." You will learn how to control excessive sweating and deal with it better.

Erstmals publiziert am: 12.05.2011

Aktualisiert: 27.05.2025