Why Am I Getting Hot Flushes and Night Sweats?

It's 3.17am. Again.

The sheets are soaked.

You're wide awake.

Tomorrow will be another exhausting day and you can't remember the last time you slept properly through the night.

If this sounds familiar, you're far from alone.

Hot flushes and night sweats are among the most common symptoms of menopause. According to the British Menopause Society, around 75% of women experience them during perimenopause or menopause.

For some women, they are occasional and manageable. For others, they become one of the most disruptive symptoms of all.

You may find yourself opening windows in the middle of winter, carrying a fan everywhere you go or changing your clothes after a sudden surge of heat appears from nowhere.

You may feel embarrassed in meetings, uncomfortable in social situations or frustrated by constantly having to think about how to manage your symptoms.

Many women simply accept that this is something they have to put up with.

But menopause-related hot flushes and night sweats are about much more than feeling warm.

What causes hot flushes and night sweats?

Hot flushes are sudden feelings of intense heat, often affecting the face, neck, chest and upper body.

Some women describe feeling as though a wave of heat comes from nowhere. Others experience sweating, facial flushing, dizziness or a racing heartbeat at the same time.

Night sweats are hot flushes that occur during sleep.

Both symptoms are linked to changing hormone levels. As oestrogen levels fluctuate and fall, the body's temperature regulation system can become more sensitive, making even small changes trigger a hot flush or episode of sweating.

For some women, this may happen occasionally. For others, it can happen several times a day and several times every night.

And when that happens, the impact can be much greater than many people realise.

It's not just about feeling hot

One of the biggest misconceptions about hot flushes and night sweats is that they are simply uncomfortable.

In reality, they can affect confidence, wellbeing, work and everyday life.

Many women tell us they plan what they wear around the possibility of a hot flush. They avoid certain situations. They worry about visible sweating during meetings, presentations or social occasions.

Others find themselves becoming increasingly frustrated by interrupted nights.

When you're being woken repeatedly, it is only natural that it starts to catch up with you.

You may:

• find it harder to concentrate.
• feel less productive.
• notice your patience wearing thinner than usual.
• simply feel exhausted.

And when you're tired, struggling to focus and running on empty, it's easy to start wondering whether you're simply failing to cope.

You're not.

What you're experiencing is real and can have a significant impact on your quality of life.

"I thought I was just getting older"

This is something we hear regularly from women.

Many assume fatigue, poor concentration and reduced resilience are simply part of getting older.

Others put the changes down to stress, work pressures or the demands of family life.

Sometimes those things do play a role.

But if you've developed symptoms alongside hot flushes, night sweats, changes to your periods or other menopause symptoms, it is worth looking at the bigger picture.

Because menopause symptoms rarely happen in isolation.

Many women experience a combination of physical and emotional symptoms that gradually build over time.

When viewed separately, they may not seem connected.

When viewed together, a different picture can start to emerge.

How long do hot flushes and night sweats last?

This is one of the questions women ask most often and the answer varies from woman to woman.

For some, symptoms improve within a few years. For others, they continue for much longer. Research suggests a small proportion of women continue to experience hot flushes and night sweats well into later life.

This is one reason why symptoms should not simply be dismissed as something to be endured.

Common does not mean insignificant.

And common certainly does not mean you have to struggle through it alone.

Could it be menopause?

This may sound like an obvious question. But menopause is not always obvious.

Not every woman experiences symptoms in the same way.

Some have severe hot flushes and night sweats.

Others notice anxiety, brain fog, low mood or reduced confidence first.

Some women are still having periods and do not consider menopause as a possible explanation at all.

Perimenopause can begin years before periods stop completely and symptoms can change over time.

This is why understanding the wider pattern of symptoms can be so important.

A hot flush on its own may not seem particularly significant.

But hot flushes combined with fatigue, changes in mood, altered concentration, disrupted sleep and changes to your menstrual cycle can start to reveal a much bigger picture.

Why specialist menopause advice can help

If you've spoken to your GP about your symptoms, you'll know appointments can be short and there is often a lot to discuss.

GPs are under enormous pressure. They manage an extraordinary range of health concerns every day, often within limited appointment times, and menopause is just one area among many.

Menopause can also be surprisingly complex.

There isn't a single test that can neatly explain every symptom you're experiencing. Symptoms often overlap with other health conditions and can change over time.

That's why many women find it helpful to speak with someone whose specialist area is menopause and women's hormonal health.

At The Dennison Clinic, the menopause service is led by Tracey Dennison, a consultant nurse practitioner, two-time UK Menopause Nurse of the Year and menopause educator who teaches doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals about menopause. She is joined by GP Dr Matthew Johnson, who has more than 22 years' experience and a specialist interest in women's health.

Together, the award-winning, medically-led team supports women through every stage of perimenopause and menopause.

Not just the hot flushes.

Not just the night sweats.

But how those symptoms may be affecting your daily life, wellbeing and confidence.

When nobody seems to join the dots

Many women come to The Dennison Clinic feeling frustrated.

Some have spent months, sometimes years, dealing with symptoms that seem unrelated. Others have searched online for answers, spoken to friends or simply tried to carry on, hoping things improve. And whether they choose to visit the clinic in person or book an online consultation, they often tell us the same thing.

They know they don't feel like themselves.

They know something has changed.

But when hot flushes, fatigue, poor concentration, disrupted sleep and other symptoms are considered separately, it can be difficult to see the overall picture.

Women often tell us they have been trying to manage on their own while wondering whether they're overreacting.

They aren't.

Menopause symptoms can have a very real impact on your quality of life.

The important thing is understanding what may be contributing to those symptoms and what options may be available.

Looking at the bigger picture

At The Dennison Clinic, an initial consultation can take a good hour.

That allows time to discuss your symptoms properly, understand what has changed and explore how those changes may fit together.

It isn't about assuming everything is menopause.

It's about listening.

It's about understanding your individual experience.

And it's about helping you make informed decisions about your health and wellbeing.

Because no woman should leave an appointment still wondering:

"Is this just me?"

If hot flushes, night sweats or other menopause symptoms are affecting your quality of life, support is available.

You do not have to simply put up with it.

If you're wondering whether menopause could be behind the symptoms you're experiencing, book a consultation with The Dennison Clinic.

It's not about replacing your GP.

It's about having access to an award-winning, medically-led team specialising in menopause and women's hormonal health, where you have the time and support to work out what may be happening and to understand your options.

Book a consultation today and take the first step towards feeling more like yourself again.

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. New or persistent symptoms should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional.