Sweating at night might not be such a big deal until your sheets get completely soaked.

Night sweats are more common than you think, and women tend to experience them more than men.

Waking up completely drenched in sweat can be quite frustrating and embarrassing.

However, being unconcerned is not advisable- let’s dig deeper into the causes of night sweats and how you can get rid of them. 

What Causes Night Sweats?

Hormonal Changes

Menopause and perimenopause in women or hormonal imbalances in men can lead to profuse sweating at night.

While most of these hormonal imbalances can be managed through diet and exercise and are typically harmless, some may reflect hidden medical conditions which might need rigorous treatment.

Here are some of them:

1. Androgen Excess: Overproduction of testosterone.

2. Oestrogen Deficiency: Low oestrogen production.

3. Cortisol Imbalance: High levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.

4. Prolactin Excess: High levels of prolactin, the milk producing hormone.

5. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Enlarged ovaries with cysts in women.

6. Acromegaly: Excessive production of the growth hormone.

7. Pituitary Tumours: Benign or malignant tumours in the pituitary gland.

8. Pheochromocytoma: Rare tumour that causes excessive adrenaline production.

9. Adrenal Insufficiency: Underactive adrenal glands.

Medications

Certain medications are known to cause night sweats. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of them:

1. Antidepressants: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), etc.

2. Antihypertensives: Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers.

3. Hormone Therapy: Oestrogen replacement therapy and hormone therapy for prostate cancer.

4. Corticosteroids: Used to treat inflammatory conditions.

5. Antibiotics: Rifampin, ciprofloxacin, etc.

Infections

Certain infections can lead to night sweats. Here are some of them:

1. Tuberculosis (TB): A contagious bacterial infection that can cause night sweats, especially at the initial stage. It can spread through air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. 

2. HIV/AIDS: A chronic and a potentially fatal disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It is transmitted via bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk, etc. As the disease progresses, patients experience excessive sweating at night.

3. Bacterial Endocarditis: Infection of the heart valves caused by bacteria that enter the bloodstream through a break in the skin. Can lead to night sweats.

4. Sepsis: Life threatening blood infection; can lead to fever, rapid breathing and sweating.

5. Infectious Mononucleosis: Caused by the Epstein-Barr virus that gets transmitted through saliva, sharing of utensils, or close contact with an infected person,  and can lead to night sweats. 

Medical Conditions

Hyperthyroidism, low blood sugar, or even cancer can be associated with sweating excessively at night.

1.  Hyperthyroidism: Overactive thyroid gland.

2.    Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar levels.

3.    Cancer: Lymphoma or Leukaemia can lead to night sweats.

4.    Parkinson’s Disease: Neurological disorder associated with tremors.

5.    Rheumatoid Arthritis: Autoimmune disease causing inflamed joints.

6.    Insulin Resistance: Difficulty in using insulin effectively to regulate blood sugar levels.

Stress and Anxiety

Disruptive emotional patterns that cause stress and anxiety more often than not induce night sweats.

What Are Some Myths About Night Sweats?