What causes night sweats and how to find relief

What are night sweats?

Night sweats are episodes of excessive perspiration that happen during sleep. 

They're more than just feeling warm, they're your body's cooling system working overtime while you rest. Unlike occasionally waking up hot because the thermostat is cranked up or your comforter is too heavy, true night sweats are intense episodes that can disrupt your sleep and can sometimes even shake your confidence the next day. The truth is, sweating is one of your body's most essential and normal functions, even at night. It's not something to be embarrassed about, even when it feels inconvenient.

 

What causes night sweats in women

Women's bodies are constantly evolving through different life stages, and our temperature regulation systems often reflect these changes. Night sweats in women can stem from:

• Hormonal fluctuations during menopause Up to 80% of women experiencing menopause report night sweats
• Monthly cycle changes The rise in body temperature that happens after ovulation can turn up your internal thermostat at night
• Pregnancy Growing a human means your metabolic rate increases, often leading to feeling warmer, especially during your first and third trimesters

When should I be worried about night sweats

While night sweats are often related to normal bodily changes, sometimes they're worth a conversation with your healthcare provider. Trust your instincts and reach out if:

• Your night sweats appear suddenly and severely with no obvious explanation
• You're experiencing unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, or other concerning symptoms alongside sweating
• The sweating consistently disrupts your sleep quality even after trying self-care approaches
• Your night sweats began after starting a new medication

Can Anxiety cause night sweats

Yes. That racing mind can absolutely lead to a racing metabolism. Anxiety can cause night sweats through a very real physical process. When stress hormones increase, they can trigger your body's fight-or-flight response, raising your core temperature and activating your sweat glands.

It creates a frustrating cycle where anxiety triggers sweating and disrupts sleep. Sleep disruption increases anxiety about sleeping. And more anxiety triggers more sweating.

Many people find relief through mindfulness practices like deep breathing or gentle stretching before bed. These practices aren't about fixing your anxiety. They're about creating space for your body to feel safe enough to rest.

 

How to stop night sweats

When it comes to how to stop night sweats, the approach that works best takes into account both your physical needs and your emotional well-being:

• Create your perfect sleep environment Aim for a cool room with breathable bedding. 
• Layer your bedding strategically Instead of one heavy blanket, use several lighter layers that you can adjust throughout the night without fully waking
• Try Dove Whole Body Deodorant in Coconut & Vanilla Applied before bed wherever you tend to sweat, it works beyond just your underarms to help you stay comfortable through the night

Remember, reducing night sweats isn't about eliminating a problem. It's about increasing nighttime comfort to help you feel more confident and secure.

How to prevent night sweats

Preventing night sweats often comes down to developing evening rituals that reflect your body's needs:

• Wind down mindfully Give yourself permission to transition to sleep with intention. Try a routine of gentle stretching, reading, or meditation to signal to your body that it's safe to relax
• Consider your sleep environment holistically Beyond temperature, think about minimizing noise and light disruptions that might cause stress responses during sleep
• Create a pre-sleep cooling ritual Many women find that applying Dove Whole Body Deodorant to pulse points like the neck, chest, and behind the knees creates a gentle cooling sensation that helps ease the transition to sleep

How to reduce night sweats

Night sweats don't politely stick to your underarms. They show up across your body. That's exactly why we created Dove Whole Body Deodorant in Coconut & Vanilla. Because we understand that comfort isn't just about feeling dry in one place, it's about feeling confident all over.

Unlike standard antiperspirants, our formula was designed with your whole body in mind:

• The cooling sensation provides immediate comfort when you're feeling overheated
• The lightweight formula creates a breathable layer that helps manage moisture without clogging pores
• Like all Dove products, it contains our signature moisturizing ingredients that care for your skin while addressing sweating concerns.

Embracing your body's natural rhythms

Remember, your body's signals are worth listening to, and you deserve solutions that care for you as a whole person. With the right knowledge and tools, you can address night sweats with confidence and self-compassion.