Night sweats are controlled by the hypothalamus, a small region at the base of the brain that acts as your body's internal thermostat. It regulates your temperature and triggers sweat glands to cool you down when it senses your core temperature rising.
Night sweats are most frequently caused by a lack or fluctuation of estrogen (common during perimenopause and menopause) or testosterone (known as andropause in men). These hormonal drops confuse the brain's internal thermostat, triggering a sudden, exaggerated cooling response that causes you to sweat.
The biggest and most common cause of night sweats is menopause and perimenopause. The resulting drops in estrogen and progesterone cause disruptions in the body's internal temperature regulation.
Night sweats are a red flag when they are drenching—soaking your clothes and bedding—and are accompanied by persistent systemic symptoms. You should consult a healthcare provider if your sweating interrupts sleep and occurs alongside symptoms like unintentional weight loss, recurring fevers, or swollen lymph nodes.
Hypoglycemia—Since hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can cause sweating, people who are taking medications to lower blood sugar, like insulin and oral anti-diabetics, may experience sweating at night. Hormone disorders—Night sweats can be a result of problems in the hormone-producing glands (endocrine system).
Some studies say that omega-3 supplements may help with night sweats during menopause, but that they're less helpful for hot flashes and sleep. All the same, omega-3s could be worth a try — and not just for the potential menopause symptom relief. That's because omega-3 fatty acids have many health benefits.
Night sweats can be an early indicator of several conditions, ranging from hormonal changes and infections to certain cancers. The most common illnesses and medical issues that present with night sweats include:
Night sweats are a common symptom of both leukemia and lymphoma. Other symptoms are usually present when cancer causes night sweats, like fever and fatigue. WHAT INFECTIONS CAUSE NIGHT SWEATS? Night sweats are a common symptom of tuberculosis.
Night sweats are usually harmless, but you should consult a doctor if they happen frequently (disrupting your sleep multiple times a week), occur even in a cool room, or cause you to wake up drenched. Pay special attention if they are accompanied by red-flag symptoms like unexplained weight loss or persistent fevers.
Treatment for night sweats from a GP
If you have night sweats, you will not usually need treatment, but the GP will want to check if you have any other symptoms. If you're taking medicine and the GP thinks it might be causing night sweats, they may prescribe a different one.
Certain foods and drinks can trigger night sweats by raising your core body temperature, stimulating your nervous system, or kicking your metabolism into overdrive. The most common culprits include spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, and heavy, high-fat meals eaten close to bedtime.
Night sweats in a 70-year-old woman are most frequently caused by medication side effects, hormonal shifts (such as late-onset hot flashes), or sleep apnea. Other common triggers include underlying infections, thyroid disorders, or anxiety.
Waking up drenched in sweat is incredibly disruptive. While sometimes just a sign of a warm room, heavy blankets, or alcohol before bed, frequent episodes at the same time can indicate an underlying medical issue such as hormone fluctuations (like menopause), stress, a medication side effect, sleep apnea, or an infection.
Night sweats are a common symptom of several autoimmune diseases. They occur because the widespread inflammation associated with these conditions triggers the body's natural defense mechanisms, which elevates your internal temperature.
The first signs of low estrogen often show up as changes in your menstrual cycle, sleep patterns, and temperature regulation. Early indications typically include:
The best way to stop night sweats is to address the underlying cause while actively optimizing your sleep environment. Common culprits include hormonal changes (like menopause), medications, anxiety, or infections. Start by cooling your room, eliminating triggers, and consulting your doctor if they persist.
The most common cause of severe night sweats is hormonal fluctuations, primarily driven by menopause and perimenopause. These "hot flashes" that strike during sleep frequently cause drenching sweats. However, severe night sweats can be triggered by several other underlying factors.
Night sweats are usually harmless, often caused by a room that is too warm, certain medications, or hormonal shifts like perimenopause. However, they should be medically evaluated if they are frequent, drenching, and accompanied by specific red-flag symptoms.
Night sweats, like hot flashes, are often related to hormone changes that make it harder for your brain to control your body temperature. But they can also be a sign of a health condition. See a healthcare provider if night sweats affect your sleep. They can get to the bottom of why you're experiencing them.
There is no single "night sweats test." Evaluation begins with a physical exam and medical history to check your medications, lifestyle, and symptoms. Based on these, your doctor will determine the appropriate diagnostic tests.
Lymphoma night sweats are typically drenching and profuse, leaving your pajamas and bedding soaking wet. They are often described as feeling like you were splashed with a bucket of water, occurring even when the room is comfortably cool.
Yes, anxiety can definitely cause night sweats. When you are stressed or anxious—even while asleep—your body releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This activates your nervous system, increases your heart rate, and kicks your sweat glands into overdrive, which can leave you waking up drenched.
Night sweats: Rarely cause for concern
This includes kidney infections and much rarer infections like tuberculosis. In other cases, the cause may be thyroid or liver disease, or a sleep disorder like obstructive sleep apnea.
Waking up drenched in sweat doesn't always mean you are sick. It can simply be caused by a room that is too warm, heavy blankets, or certain medications. However, it can also be a sign that your body is fighting a virus or bacteria, or indicate other underlying medical conditions.
Leukemia and lymphoma are among the cancers associated with night sweats. Those associated with leukemia usually occur in conjunction with symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, or excessive bruising. Leukemia-related sweats may also result from daytime fevers.