Hot flashes are not only caused by low estrogens of menopause or perimenopause, they may also be caused by non disease or condition reasons such as anti-cancer drugs. Tamozifen and osteoporosis prevention drugs such as raloxifene which act as anti-estrogens can also promote hot flashes and night sweats. If you’re experiencing Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) or hot flashes more then a few times in a seven day period, it’s a good idea to take measures to lessen them.
Men undergoing prostate cancer treatment by way of anti-testosterone therapy, thermal blankets or other measures can experience menopause like symptoms, commonly referred to as male menopause (male hot flashes).
Estrogen and testosterone are believed to help protect the body against night sweats and hot flashes. When these hormones are no longer provided, the body may have a tendency to dilate blood vessels randomly which causes rapid increases in skin temperature -leading to excessive sweating.
A very common cause of hot flashes and night sweats is hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle.
Hot Flash – What is it?
Commonly referred to as blushing (facial blushing for example), a hot flash is the sudden feeling of warmth and a sudden increase in upper body excessive sweating. An intense feeling of heat, especially in the face and neck area, is experienced accompanied with redness.
These hot flashes are commonly mistaken for mild fevers such as those found with a urinary tract infection and sometimes with tuberculosis or cancer. The way you can tell a ‘hot flash’ or ‘night sweat’ is by the fact they come and go lasting only for a few minutes or even seconds.
There is not a definitive answer for the cause of ‘hot flashes’ which is often attributed to ‘male menopause’ or menopause in general, but it is known that our brain regulates our body temperature; if it senses the body temperature rising, the brain will release chemicals to help dilate the blood vessels to help remove the increased heat. The presence of estrogens estrogens and testosterone permit the body to tolerate greater changes in your core body temperature. For example, your body may normally tolerate a change in body temp of say 2 degrees before reacting. Without the estrogens, your body may start reacting at .5 degrees creating a hot flash, hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating), night sweats and more.
Woman who are menopausal, male menopause and others suffering from night sweats commonly forget one of the best kept secrets to reducing night sweating – Temperature! In fact, studies show that a woman in menopause can eliminate between 40 and 55 % of the night sweats by simply lowering the temperature by a few degrees. Other studies point out that because heat escapes from the head and foot region, simply wearing sandals may dramatically reduce the number of day sweats or hot flashes.
Eating the right types of food can also help reduce hot flashes. Most people are aware that hot peppers can contribute to excessive sweating, but did you know that many of the additives in food, not hot at all, can contribute to hot flashes? Health foods can not only help deal with the hot flash, but have profound impacts on all functions of the body.
Hot Flashes causes other than menopausal
Many systemic, but rare conditions can also produce flushing such as carcinoid syndrome, systemic mast cell disease, pheochromocytoma, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, pancreatic islet-cell tumors, renal cell carcinoma and hyperthyroidism. These conditions are thought to inject chemicals into the blood stream that can agitate nerves and blood vessels within the brain. Make your doctor aware of any symptoms other than hot flashes including rapid or irregular heart rate and blood pressure.
Stress is by far the most common cause of hot flashes causing epinephrine and norepinephrine to be released into the blood stream. The body reacts by increasing blood flow and heat. The hot flash is the body’s way of expelling the excess heat.
Night sweats are commonly mistaken for male menopause when in fact it’s simply the days event triggering sweating at night. Female or male, stressful events that occurred during the day will be processed by the brain at night. Too much stress and the brain will actually start the process of hyperhydrosis during deep REM sleep
Stop Hot Flashes or Night Sweats without Hormonal treatment
If you experience a hot flash and it’s been less then a month, you may want to consider waiting to make sure it’s not a short term problem. They are necessary harmful and at that frequency, they do not usually represent a disease process. For the more frequent hot flash, you may want to try the following:
For daytime hot flashes:
* Try to avoid contributing factors such as strong emotions, caffeine, alcohol, cayenne, heavy clothing, etc.
* Use fans during the day.
* Wear natural material such as cotton.
* Practice deep, slow breathing techniques in the morning and evening, and use this technique when you feel a ‘hot flash’ about to happen.
* Exercise, walk, swim ride your bike every day for at least 30 minutes
If hot flashes and male menopause is still an issue after using these techniques, you should see your doctor for other treatments.
i am 23 years old woman. i have developed these hot flashes some 3-4 months ago.. whenever i get conscious.. i get them.. its really uncomfortable to handle the situation.. please help..!!
i had to have a hysterectomy eight years ago because of a huge fibroid and had to have three monthly injections beforehand to bring on early menopause which brought on horrendous hot flashes. After over this past week or so I’ve been experiencing hot flushes again!. Not quite as bad as eight years ago but still extremely uncomfortable ..i cried a lot with them the last time and i didn’t think i would ever have to go through this ever again! Could it be that this would have been the age i would have naturally gone through the menopause and maybe this is just my body still reacting to that? (I’m now 52yrs old)
I am a 15yr old boy and for the last week i have gone to my classes in school and i have gotten sweaty and felt hot flashes through my face and upper body and i haven’t gone to school since and i don’t know what to do and my parents don’t think its a problem but for me it is i cant go anywhere because i fear i may start sweating and smell bad i don’t know what to do can someone PLEASE HELP ME!
I was reading what Tiffany said, I also have cold flashes followed by hot flashes which occur every 20 minutes, Or when I roll over in bed! I find it weird and people think I’m lying or something about this. It just does not sound real to them. I am not lying!
I am extremely cold, with cold feet, hands, nose and visible goose bumps, then the hot flash comes with all over sweat and difficult breathing, racing heart. Extreme thirst and dehydration. I also have hashimoto disease (or chronic lymphocytic , an autoimmune disease related to the thyroid gland) and my endocrine doc says my symptoms are not from my thyroid. He says it would for hyperthyroid. So, I cant find out why I am so extreme!
I tried every over the counter medications, herbs, vitamins, and progesterone cream and estrogen patches. Nothing works!
hi, i was suffering the same badly, until i start having 4 pints of water a day and high fiber diet, jacket potato salads, cut all caffeine and hot drinks, its worked perfect for me, i also take magnesium and zinc supplements at bed time.
Good luck if you too give this a try. make sure to leave that chocolate bars alone. i have no more night sweats at all and only the odd day flush.
kind regards to you all.
Hi everyone
I feel so sorry for us all because its a living nightmare when you cannot sleep for days/weeks/years like some of you. I’ve been living with this horrible hot flashes all day and all night for a several weeks now and they come about every half hour. I sleep about 2 hours per night broken in the middle of hot flashes and spend the night turning the covers on and off.
I guess its all menopausal related, I’m 47 and strange things have been occurring for some time now vis a vis peri menopause. I’m so tired. I went to the Chinese doctor for some acupuncture. At the very least, it has reduced my anxiety and my stress. I am taking Chinese herbs to reduce “fire” in the body. I still get the flashes despite the pills and acupuncture but will continue this treatment.
They say women in china do much better than western women with meno so I’m hoping its their medicine which works. If in a few weeks it works… I will come back and post, if not.. you can assume it didn’t work. All the other regular stuff recommended doesn’t seem to work for me either, the usual dong quai, black cohosh, etc.
I’ve spent a lot of money trying to find a cure. I’m mega dosing on vitamin C hoping this might help. I’m resisting the HRT as my mother was on premarin most of her life (pregnant horse uring) ugh! and developed strokes and clots. Despite docs insisting that the patches and sprays are lower risk, I still don’t like the risk. Its a very hard choice..
living like this will kill me too. Hugs to all.
Hi I’m Kelly I am 33 years old , 6 years ago I had my little girl ,however during this I had major gynological problems, I was told I couldn’t even carry a child, so when I found out that I was having a child ,no matter the risk I knew I had a small miracle.
My doctor and I talked about all of my options and I was lucky and had her at 7 and a half months pregnant.
She was healthy, However as my doctor expected I was having a lot of complications which led to 15 surgeries in total………the last resulting in a total Hystorectomy.
3 days after the surgery I was thrown Into Menopause……………………!!!!!!!!
Its been a year now of being on birth control to try to help with my hot flashes,they weren’t so bad at the beginning, but now a year later oh my lord………My hot flashes are my hot demons, I have them about every 10 mins in the day, and ALL NIGHT LONG to the point my bed is soaked, my clothes , my pillow and now it is affecting my husband and our sleep,I get them so bad I break down crying!!!
Now I realize ok I need HORMONES…………….Its a terrible feeling and I feel like I’m going out of my mind is this NORMAL!!!!
Hello Cal,
I really don’t have any advice either and would like to let you know you are in my prayers as well. Don’t be embarrassed. Forget what people may say or say. Ride your bike when it is warm enough to do so that you won’t be cold. During the time it is cold, get you a stand and turn your bike into a stationary one and put a mat under it to catch the sweat. I cannot help you, but you have helped me. My sweat problem is not as severe as yours, however, the fact that it is not, and after reading your story, I won’t complain again. Bless you and I wish you well!
I have suffered for hot flushes for 15 years I had tried every remedy available, but the problem was not solved
Eventually my GP suggested taking Atenolol which has helped me greatly, I still suffer, but I have been able to manage the symptoms.
I am 27 years old, I am suffering from nightly hot flashes. I believe it could be a steroid withdrawal, but i used steroid cream like 2 years ago (some of it might have gotten in my mouth). but something is definitely weird, whenever i sit and concentrate and play my online shooting game, or feel stressed, my face turns red and i start having a huge hot flash. it feels like a fever , then chills. i dont sweat though, i wouldnt mind sweating instead of turning red. Maybe i have something wrong with my adrenal glands.
I am a 68 years of age. I had partial hysterectomy when age 40. Still have ovaries. In May of this year I had a lumpectomy. I have hypothyroidism, chronic high blood pressure, have tried the lap band procedure for being overweight; however, had to have four surgeries due to complications from that and finally had to the band removed. I am on blood thinners, take Lexapro, Atenolol, coumadin (had 3 blood clots in lungs from lapband), take Zanax .25 mg, take diltiazem for hbp, pravastatin for choles., wellbutrin, and have started having numerous hot flashes (day and night), have trouble sleeping, had back radiofrequency treatment, have 3 herniated disks, and take lasix for water retention., I am very depressed and had to quit my job after 49.5 yrs. as an Exec. Secretary, raising three children on my own. I want to exercise but can’t due to exhaustion from 33 radiation treatments, lower back pain, take knee injections, am so obese. I cry a lot. Help. What can I do? Also, I recently learned my blood sugar numbers are higher than normal. I watch my diet like a hawk but can’t exercise. I am in water aerobic therapy but hot flashes at my age?? Thanks for responding. I need help and encouragement.
I to have had hot flashes 20 years it started when I was 30 I’m now 50 and it’s worse I’m high risk for breast cancer my mom had it, so I can’t take anything. I’m trying herbs, change my diet,exercise, but no change yet. It’s a shame we all have this problem and we can’t solve it. Good luck
Hey Cal,
I don’t have any advice, but you have my prayer, I’m pausing right now to say one for you…I hope this helps!
Hi everyone; I am a 52 yr old male who started having trouble with hyperhydrosis at around 48. Since then it has just gotten worse and worse and worse. I don’t go out any more, I used to love to ride my bike all over the place, I don’t do that any longer either.
My sweating is so bad (thankfully it’s not a stinky sweat) that I have to carry face cloths and towels with me everywhere. I have a fan in every room and I have to have 2 fans on blowing on me at night in bed. I go through anywhere’s between 6 and 12 shirts a day, 8 to 10 pair of underwear, 4 or more pair of pants, a dozen pair of socks. I have Fibromyalgia/Myofascial Pain Syndromes, Hep C, both Osteo and Rheumatoid Arthritis’s, Chronic Insomnia, Depression, SAD, Anxiety Disorders. The only meds that I am on are Nortriptyline, Methadone and a stomach med called Tecta.
I am at the point where I am almost ready to blow my brains out. I am embarrassed everywhere I go cause the sweat is just dripping off of me, which gets my anxiety going and then I get really exhausted and moody. I have even almost stopped going to Church, if I were not the drummer in the Worship Group Band, I likely would stop going there as well.
I have gone from 165 lbs to 225 lbs because I don’t exercise any longer. By the time I get dressed and down stairs and on my bike, I am by then “totally soaked right through to the bone” so, I get on the bike anyway and by the time I am half a mile down the road I am shivering and shaking and freezing to death and have to go home. This even happens in 20 degree “c” temp’s. The only time I don’t get cold and have to go home is when the temp is 28 degrees or above, then I am fine but there is a big puddle of sweat all around me and you could ring my clothing out, it’s that soaked.
The doctor told me it was male menopause??? I don’t believe her. She prescribed some Testosterone for me but Social Services won’t cover it so I am out of luck there as well. I am told that , that is the only thing other than Botox injections that will help my sweating and you might know, I can’t get it. So I sympathize with all of you who have trouble with sweating and hot flashes. Try being in a PERMANENT HOT FLASH ALL DAY LONG and then when you try to cool off, you FREEZE to death and have to put something on. It’s like a seesaw Up and Down.
Does anyone have any advice before I blow my brains out??? No, I would not do that but I feel like it. I’ll just stay at home and continue to get fatter and fatter and more and more depressed. I can’t eat properly because I only get $300 a month to live on not inc, power, phone and cable and internet. I live on about $170 per month for food, so you know what I eat. KD and Bologna, Beans and Soup and to drink, juice crystals and pop cause they are all cheap.
Anyway, that’s my story. I need Prayer, please Pray for me.
Cal Talbot
I have intense hot flashes and sweating that comes and goes all day long. I am 54 years old and have not had a period in over 15 years so how could this be menopause. I thought you go into menopause after not having a period for at least 12 months. I have not had one in over 15 years so how can the doctors say it is menopause or is this normal to have hot flashes and severe sweating still. Also, this may sound funny but I don’t suffer from night sweats and never have just these dreadful hot flashes and sudden sweats all day long. I’m beginning to think it is more than menopause and it truly is destroying my life. I can relate to the one person that said she lost her entire summer because she had to stay in bed. I live in florida and it is hell. I, too had to stay inside all the time and can’t enjoy life anymore. I have tried all medications and NOTHING helps actually some of it made all of this worse. Does anyone have any advice for me or any insight. Any tips?
Thanks Amber – I’ve added that information!
This article fails to list one very common cause of hot flashes and night sweats: hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle.
I am a 54 year old female who has been on HRT for almost 3 years. Last summer which was unbelievably hot here in NC was when the misery of my HEAVY facial,scalp and all over sweating began. As others above have stated, it will start with any physical exertion, break out in the tub in which I use alot cooler water than before (although I have always used medium hot water) I felt there was something wrong and my body is not regulating it’s temperature.
I sought out an endocrinoligist who looked at me and said “Most likely it’s menopause, I burst into tears and said So I have to hope to dry up and become an old lady to have an end to my misery? That’s just great. I didn’t WANT to have something wrong, I just hoped it was something they could treat. I thought HRT helped to lessen or minimize this problem. I also suffered from drenching night sweats from age 42 through 50. Now night sweats are occasional. All my labs came back fine although they DX me as having Metabolic syndrome which means alot of factors point to me developing diabetes eventually.
I also suffered from Poly Cystic Ovarian syndrome which no gyno ever mentioned to me though I always went annually. I’m researching herbs, the main ones that are supposed to help are Dong-Quai with black cohosh, but I have also found many sites that claim an herb that seems to come mainly as a homeopathic tincture or a tea called”Pasque Flower” can end the sweats fast. I lost my whole summer last year and could do nothing but lay in my cold AC bedroom. I also feel so frustrated, miserable and that I can’t live the rest of my life this way. It is absolutely unbearable, and no DR seems to care.
I sweat buckets now the chest of a t-shirt just becomes drenched by the giant beads of sweat puddle up. And once I break the sweat barrier for the day, it does not stop unless I’m in cool AC, if I go to a warmer room I just start dripping again. I’m glad I found your site, I’m not alone and I’m not crazy,
how can a hot flash be constant? I’m going to try to find this Pasque Flower ASAP, I hope it helps.
Good luck to us all.
Michael: did you find out yet what it was? I went to Mexico in December and came back with all those symptoms. My doctor has run test after test and says I’m fine, but it is a radical change for me. I walk a block uphill and have sweaty armpits. Effectively, I’m sweating a lot easier now, and the swollen gland bundles certainly doesn’t help.
Best wishes to all as we unravel these mysteries. Although our doctors may not believe us, our bodies are telling us something.
Charles
I have been experiencing night sweats, day sweats, palpitations, brain fog, manic episodes of energy and fatigue, very cold hands and feet, tingling in hands and feet. I don’t normally get sick, but when I do, I get hit. My lymphs under my arms get swollen, my sides of my neck get swollen. Then it clears up after a week or so. My body temp. is usually 97.6 – 99.3 throughout the day everyday. Plus much more. What is going on?? BTW. I am 26 years old. This started when I was 13.
I am a 30 yr old mother of 4. I have several medical issues but now have this issue with sweating for no reason. I am always in front of the fans and still I sweat. I have the feeling come on about 20 or more times a day. I told my doctors and they do not listen. Many times just shine it on. I have been to so many doctors and all say or do the same thing.
I have researched all my symptoms of my disease and this is not one of them. Then of the medical problems that stem off my disease still none have this as a symptom. I am at a loss, reading everything I can about everything pretty much. It’s strange how it comes on as well. I could either be in the shower and the water is warm never to hot and I start sweating while I am in the shower and I end up light headed seeing stars. Now I can’t walk very well so I don’t stand in the shower so getting light headed while sitting down is strange I think. Then its while I am sitting in my wheel chair I get it I just start sweating. Funny thing is I am not running a fever.
It happens while I am in bed and all. I have told my doctor many of times and same thing, they don’t think its a concern. I lay with fans on me and I get the chills but at the same time I am sweating. I will fall asleep for like 2 or so hours and wake to go to the bathroom like I do many times a night and I will be so covered in sweat that my husband awakes and has to take the sheets off the bed and change them and put towels down for me.
We have read that maybe it could be Pre menopause, or Thyroid, and more. I decided to research my own medical records. I have all my blood tests and so on from over the years, even my CT scans and MRI and X-ray reports. So I looked up some things and found that my doctors never over a 16 yr period of me having a serious disease they have never in the last 5 yrs tested my Thyroid. I made sure I went through many many pages and looked for that specific test and nothing. I brought this to my doctors attention and well guess what I got the same response as always, that it most likely did get tested and that couldn’t be the problem.
I have read more into my disease and well there is a disorder called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis that is involved with persons who have Polymyositis and I told this to my doctor. He and a few others have told me that I should not be looking online for anything and that it will only worry me or not be an updated site about the disease or disorder. I was in AWWWS that my doctors could be shining me on. Pretty much saying besides what I have that there could not be anything else wrong.
I don’t know what to do now. I am at my whits end and want to find a new doctor but I don’t have the money or means or insurance that covers new doctors. I don’t know what to do. I just wanted to post on here to tell people that if your having a issue with something like this (Excessive sweating or hot and cold flashes) not to take what your doctor says in vein. Always take it one step further. Look online and research your current issues and look over your own medical records and research all your tests and stuff cause doctors don’t explain that stuff to you anyways. Then try to see a new doctor if you can.
I am still seeking one that will take my case without good medical insurance but if you have the means and you have a problem take it to whomever you can. You don’t need to suffer like I do. I have for 1 full year now been dealing with this sweating and hot and cold flashes issue. If I had a good doctor that stood by my side I most likely wouldn’t be having this issue. You don’t have to deal with it. You don’t have to deal with doctors that are not on your side and are not into looking into your case further.
Push issues that are bothering you with whatever doctor you have to. For me it don’t work but for others it can.
Thanks for reading.
Tiffany
Arizona
I am 57 years old and started having these really bad hot flashes. Sometimes 6-8 per day and they really take a lot out of me. I was hoping to find someone that had tried some things out of a health food store that might have helped to calm the sweats and heat flashes down a bit.
The labs just took enough blood and urine to run approx. 30 different test, so maybe they will find something that can be controlled. All those dealing with hot flashes have my sympathy, I now know what they are dealing with.
Good luck to everybody in finding something that will give them some kind of relief.
Dennis T.
I started menopause in my early 40s. I’m 48 now and have not had a period for over a year. Hot flashes started two years ago and have proved to be a living hell. I’ve been on BHRT for the last year and a half, but to no avail. I’ve taken HUGE amounts of estrogen, so much that my uterus and ovaries ache, but the hot flashes persist.
Progesterone has absolutely no effect on them, but does cause me severe brain fog. I’ve learned to live with the hot flashes during the day, but waking up every 45 minutes at night for the last two years has turned me into a zombie. Have seen five different doctors, all of whom tut tut, shake their heads, look concerned, and usher me out the door.
One suggested that I seek counseling while another recommended that I have a neurologist test me for early-onset Alzheimer’s (because I complained of brain fog). No one, NO ONE, takes this very seriously. It’s considered a “natural” part of life so the subtext of the advice I’ve been given is, essentially, to suck it up and stop my whining.
I addition to BHRT, I’ve tried the “natural”, herbal remedies: Remifemin, pycnogenol, glutathione; as well as the man-made route: Zoloft. NOTHING works! I feel like bashing my brains against a brick wall just to make the hot flashes stop. All I want is one good night’s sleep. That’s it.
HELP!
Susan i have tried all that–natural and drinking plenty of water! the severe sweats are still a coming! every twenty minutes day and night. going back on the hrt. totally against it but quality of life is null and void at this point. i am so very tired now and gaining weight back. i have three masses right breast not cancer and a high risk factor–but– low low dosage really worked.
fyi i do believe in gods pharmacy. have a great list and explanation!! very interesting
I had hysterectomy at the age of 40 keep my ovaries. know at the age of 68 started getting hot flushing in top half of my body and effects my breathing when it comes on. Mrs Jill Eaton
I am 38, female, correct weight, no illness, regular periods, typical blood pressure, in good shape etc.. etc.. but over the past 8 months, I’ve been sweating whenever I walk (I walk to and from work everyday, approx 30 mins each way)
I noticed that even on the coldest, snowy days, I was walking to work with no jacket and feeling like I was in the tropics (if only I was!) dripping with sweat and hot as anything. I’ve walked to work every day for 2 years prior to this with no sweating at all. I don’t sweat during the day at work, but I do get really hot/cold at night. Does this sound like the beginning of menopause?
I think I could cope with the normal sweating, as I take wet wipes, deodorant, and a change of top with me so I can freshen up, but I sweat a lot all over, so my panties get soaked through too, which makes me smelly “down there” and its mortifying and is effecting my relationship with my man. Some doctor on another site suggested using talc, but really, its not very effective for me, and certainly is not a solution – I tried it : )
I will go see my doctor, but thought I’d share my woes with you, just in case someone can give me some specific advise (or send a virtual hug). No matter what, it’s good to see that there are a lot of people out there with similar-ish problems, thank you for sharing, i don’t feel so alone anymore : )
I am also 68 and have gone through menapause 13 years ago and been off HRT for 5 years. I have hot flashes at work for no particular reason that I can tell and night sweats. I do take Lexapro, and bp meds and Parvostatin. I know I don’t drink enough water, but besides is this supposed to continue forever? It doesn’t last long and I don’t think I get red in the face like my grandmother used to.
what susan said is 100% right on and nothing else needs to be asked or answered here regarding sweats or health issue. eat well, exercise well. end of story.
it is true. i found this to be true on my own as well. that the sweats are the body protecting you, telling you when you are out of alignment from not eating well, not exercising, not being outdoors enough. . if you eat well, exercise well, are outdoors a lot you are fine. god speaks to you through your body. if you choose not to listen you suffer. get in alignment and all is well. listen to god, listen to your body.
54 yr old , hot flushes ,start in the chest heart palpations as well ,some are minor and some severe, go from chest and like a wave go to the head,then down wards like a flushing effect, feel drained after wards,happen more when i rest,a clammy feeling as well,some times 4 a day, have had every test , but adrenalyn is 1.7 instead of .08 of testing thats the only gland thats abnormal, are seeking a specialist in this area,but have to wait for a appointment,its very annoying and have stopped working full time,any one out there the same , cheers , Ken
I am a 25 year old male who has been experiencing “hot flashes” and excessive sweating 3-5 times a day. I have a office job and I walk for 30 mins a day, but that is all. I am overweight about 25 lbs, and I am on a few medications, ie (dexadrine, Oxycontin and celexa (citalopram). I am also a smoker but I do not drink alchole or recreational drugs. Usually the sweating occurs during the day lastly roughly 10 min each time. Its embarrassing at work because I don’t know what people are thinking. When I do physical activity its so much worse and lasts a lot longer. WHATS WRONG WITH ME???? PLEASE HELP
I am 50 years old and I have been having bladder infections quite frequently, I sweat during the day very bad it makes my face feel like I just got out of the shower and didn’t dry it off off, then I will cool down and at different times during the day sweat again. At night I will get very cold and when I put cover over me a minute later I feel like I am Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace. I quit having periods years ago. Do you think the sweating is due to my uniary tract infections or am I going through menopause? Please help, and Thank you.
I am 68 years old,went thru menopause i5 years ago, and when I reduced my ET, my night sweats started all over again. I eat right, work with a trainer 4 times a week, am the proper weight, generally very healthy, but these night sweats are depriving me of sleep. I got along fine until my ET was cut in half. Does anyone else have night sweats at my age, and should I go back to my old dose of estrogen?
I am a 48-year-old female who underwent a total thyoidectomy a few months ago. Because papillary and follicular cancer was found in my thyroid gland after it was removed, I underwent a radioactive iodine treatment, and my endocrinologist has put me on and intentionally high dose of Synthroid for the purpose of suppressing any thyroid cancer cells that might still be lurking in my body. I have been experiencing side effects of frequent hot flashes (about every 20 minutes, day and night), rapid heartbeat, and a lot of trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep (the hot flashes keep waking me up). These are known side-effects of Synthroid-induced hyperthyroidism; however, my doctor doesn’t want to reduce my Synthroid dose. Is there anyone out there who has experienced this and found a safe, effective way to reduce the intensity and/or frequency of the hot flashes? They’ve become quite disruptive to my life.
My husband had a radical prostectomy and has also had medical castration for prostate cancer. He is really suffering with hot flushes both day and night continually and mood swings big time. What can he do. I have suggested that he contact his Urologist but will not. Can you give any natural remedy advice.
Thanks.
I started to feel hot flashes and anxiety attacks lately. I am a Male age 45 diagnosed with Mild CAD. I take medicines for my High BP and Diabetes. Do I need to take more medicines for my hot flashes and anxiety as they are becoming very uncomfortable.
Thanks
I finally found some other men who were experiencing the same constant day and night sweating.I wear short sleeve shirts 365 days a year when I go out.I go bare chested and wear shorts while in the house which I keep cool.I also have a fan right at my head for when I slip into one of my many attacks daily.I sleep with a fan operating every night and the window is open even during the winter.
I have noticed recently that when I have to go to medical appointments,that I sweat with the flashed even more and towards the end of the day I can smell a moldy body odor..I know I am getting old at 68 and partially disabled but I am not in the ground yet so I shouldn’t smell like that.
I take caution to launder my clothing and bedding daily and I disinfect the wash with bleach.This gets old fast but thanks to everybody for some ideas to present to my VA doctor the next time I go for an appointment.
I’m a 20 year old woman, I’ve been having hot flashes since I was about 15 years old. I get them every time I’m in a stressful situation or when I get mad or cry. I don’t know what to do anymore, I’m starting to think there’s something wrong with me. Should I consider seeing a psychologist? Please help!!!
I also have the “most severe form” of hot flashes and night and daytime sweating and at 54. I am well past the menopause but it just hasn’t stopped.
I am more than ever convinced that these flashes are actually a blessing in disguise and that taking hormone replacements of any kind actually make it worse in the longer term. I have no evidence but I think these sweats are the body’s effort to remove toxins and the body’s physiological wastes and actually serve to protect us against things like cancer, and that by trying to suppress the sweating we actually make our physical condition more vulnerable to cancer and other diseases like osteoporosis.
I am of Irish stock and I notice that I have least problem with my sweats when I am working outdoors in my garden or biking or doing anything which involves physical effort outdoors. My ancestors (the ones who survived) did so because they were built for hard physical labor working in the fields growing potatoes – but what do we do? We sit in offices and in our cars and wonder why we feel so bad!
I too have a desk job and I have a fan on my desk summer and winter to deal with the discomfort of the sweats but it is when I am outdoors that I have the least trouble with it. I even thought of getting a job where I could be outdoors all day.
My biggest tip to all sufferers is – drink more water… not coffee or tea or soda, but honest to goodness plain (filtered) water. Also only eat natural food (nothing processed), i.e. meat, fish, eggs, fresh vegetables and fruit but no bread, pasta, cookies, cakes, buns, sauces, milk (which is only intended for baby cows), yogurt (which has sugar or sweeteners added). In short, nothing which is processed before or during cooking or with any kind of additive.
All you need is vegetable oil for cooking, salt and pepper and garden herbs for flavor. Reduce sugar and sweeteners and try to get off them completely (difficult in our sugar-addicted society but it does have great health benefits). No thickening or sweetening of any kind and no hot spices or stimulants.
Eating out can be a problem, but I pretend that I am diabetic and on a strict diet and then they are more than willing to accommodate you. These are the things which work best for me. Good luck everyone and try to see your “curse” as a blessing in disguise. Perhaps you will live longer if you can learn to live with the momentary discomfort…
I’m getting hot flashes, I sweat for no reason. As soon as I do something physical or get upset, they come hard. I’ve been using Larazopam for a long time .05 mg. I started with 2 a month to one a day and now 2 day, am I addicted to Adivan?
I also just started Martial Arts class and they have intense workouts, I’m 55 years old, but in good shape, would it be my muscles flaring up??? I don’t know! I also sweat at night.
Hey guys,
I have a 10,000 btu air conditioner that I use. It works wonders {;~) I crank that baby up and keep my bedroom very cool at night. I’m not trying to make light of everything I have read here but I highly recommend air conditioners for keeping cooler; even if it seems inappropriate to others temperature wise. I’ve had a hot temperature since I went through menopause and I use my air conditioner freely.
Carolyn….sorry for your suffering. I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2003. The whole year of 2002 I was plagued with night sweats. Then came chills, then finally, fevers over the period of 1 or more years.
If they had done an x-ray of my chest, chances are they would have seen the cancer. It was finally diagnosed by the sudden arrival of a lump under my arm. Swollen lymph gland.
I was told I had Stage 2B Hodgkins. The B was significant because it described all my symptoms that no one related to cancer.
I am sure you don’t have cancer but as a fellow sufferer and survivor, I wanted you to know.
Chris
Rusty,
Sounds like your sweats could be medication related. The pain medications often do this. Hope you find relief.
I am 47 years old with a back injury which has cause me to live a pretty non active life. Last year I was forced onto disability by my doctors and the severe pain I was experiencing. I got hurt in 2000 since then have taken a regiment of medications for pain control. I started having day and night sweats recently I am currently on Lexapro for anxiety and depression and Oxycodone for pain and Soma for spasm or pain.
My question is can one of these medications cause my sweats or could it be male menopause / male hot flashes? They are becoming more frequent and I really sweat, they were only happening at night now I’m having them occur 2 to 3 times a day.
my hot flash started at age 45 after my periods stopped, since then i have very bad sweating in the day time, I should say very very bad sweating! I do not want to take hormone replacements, I was trying other pills my doctor gave to me, but it doesn’t work. How do I naturally put a stop to this miserable sweating?
I have had a hysterectomy and I have had non-invasive breast cancer and I had a mastectomy. They will not put me on hormones because of the breast cancer and I am dying with night sweats and hot flashes. I have about 20 occurrences at night and I am so tired.
I have been looking into natural herbs to help my problem but so far nothing has helped.
I also have migraines and a loss of sexual desire. Is there any help out there?
I have hot flashes all day and night. Mood swings and often headaches too. This is all because I had a hysterectomy!
Tengo Hiperhidrosis secundaria,nadie me lo dijo, pero por lo que lei en este articulo,esesto lo que tengo
Sufro de Hiperhidrosis secundaria,ya que sudo muchisimo la cabeza, la frente, las piernas y todo el cuerpo,me siento toda mojada,ya no se que hacer, vivo, duermo, trabajo con 2 ventiladores,constantemente tengo calor,odio el verano ya que paso muchisimo calor y no se que hacer, no se si tiene solucion. Tengo diabetes porque tengo El Sindrome de Cushing,me operaron de la suprarrenal, tenia un Adenoma,creo que me lo sacaron, digo creo, no soy gorda,pero tengo mucho abdomen y puede ser que el tumor este creciendo. No se si sera esto lo que me produce tanto calor,hace 18 años que no tengo menstruacion o sea que estoy con la menopausia desde los 44 años en que se me retiro y ahora tengo 62. Gracias por lo que puedan hacer por mi. Susana
Hello Carolyn,
I started this site as an information resource and a place where people could share their experiences.
What you are asking for is medical advice, which I can’t provide. I’m nowhere near the medical field and far over on the technology side.
I can however, provide you with a place to share your story so that others experiencing what you’re going through can benefit from your comments.
Your situation sounds most complicated and my heart goes out to you; life can be difficult enough without all these complications. You sound like a strong person, stay strong and trust that there is a reason for everything!
Best Regards,
Jim
Menopause began in 1987 and hs estrogen eliminated the night sweats and hot flashes. Later on I changed to FS estrogen with no problems. I had stage 1 non invasive breast cancer in 2006 and had to stop all hormones. I had a lumpectomy. I have taken thyroid (synthroid) since 1980 with regular checkups. It was normal in December ’08.
The night sweats returned during cancer treatment and gradually reduced to mild flare ups. For the past 6 months, a wild change has attacked my body. I have had to change clothes 2 or 3 times a night and often that much during the day. Any exertion during the day leaves me drenched with perspiration. I wake up every hour. I have eliminated medications with night sweat side effects. I have taken 600 mg of lithium for 14 years. I take Ativan (1mg) for 8 years. I have taken Altace for blood pressure for about 10 years. I have gained 40 pounds since completing radiation. I walk, swim, or bike most every day.
My gynecologist told me to try prozac, then cohash. My family doctor patted me on the head and told me to learn to live with it. My oncologist said there was nothing to be done. I am an emotional wreck and nearly suicidal. If the estrogen helps….I took it from ’87 to 2006 before cancer was detected.
Can I risk some hormones now and have a few good years left with my family? This is living hell and I really would like some help.
Thank you.
Carolyn