Coping with hot sweats in the winter

As the colder weather is fast approaching it can leave us feeling out of sorts for many different reasons but studies now show that the changing of seasons can also have an impact on our hormones.

The obvious symptom that may come to mind is hot sweats and how these can be kept under control whilst you’re all bundled up.

Here we have some top tips on how we can cool down during the winter months:

• Layer Up – Use layers as an alternative to wearing a chunky knit jumper or thick roll neck. By doing this you can quickly take off a layer or two when needed

• Drinks – Keep a flask of cold water nearby so you can grab it when you feel a hot sweat coming on

• Keep a diary – Keeping a track of when you are having hot sweats can help hugely in identifying possible triggers. Common triggers can include alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods, smoking and stress. A log could also highlight a pattern of when hot flushes are occurring and will help pinpoint what could have caused it.

• Night Sweats – If you suffer from sweats in the night try and take a cool shower before getting into bed, keep your bedroom cool and have a few thin layers on your bed rather than one thick duvet.

The cause of hot sweats are the fluctuating levels of estrogen which can begin quite some time before menopause. Gradually as we enter the menopause less and less estrogen circulates through our body and although this is not harmful it can send signals to the part of the brain that regulates body temperature saying that it is over heating. Responding to this signal the cardiovascular system will then pump blood faster to get rid of the heat. This is the body’s response to the change in hormones but not all women suffer from hot sweats in the same way, some women find that a hot flush is followed or preceded with an increase in heart rate, sweating, nausea, headache, difficulty breathing or a feeling of weakness. This can also sometimes indicate that a hot sweat is on the way.

Take a look at these websites for some more information:

Menopause and SAD – a 5-point plan for coping with winter blues during – Live Better With Menopause

4 Facts about Fatigue during Winter | Menopause Now