What are night sweats?

If you wake up with your pyjamas and sheets soaked with sweat you may be having night sweats. This can happen even when it's cool and you don't have too many blankets on the bed.

Anyone can have night sweats, no matter their sex or age.

What symptoms are related to night sweats?

If you sweat a lot at night, you may also be experiencing:

• insomnia (difficulty going to sleep or staying asleep)
• anxiety
• breathing problems

What causes night sweats?

There are many causes of night sweats. Most are not serious. In some cases, night sweats are a sign of a medical condition. In others, they may be caused by a medicine that you are taking.

The most common causes of night sweats are related to hormonal changes in females, such as occur with:

• menopause or perimenopause
• premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• pregnancy

Other causes of night sweats in males and females include:

• anxiety and being stressed
• some infections, including flu (influenza), COVID-19 and tuberculosis
• some kinds of cancer, such as non-Hodgkins lymphoma or leukaemia
• stroke
• thyroid disease
• low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
• hyperhidrosis — a condition in which the body continually produces too much sweat for no clear reason

Some medicines can also cause night sweats, including:

• medicines used to reduce fever, such as paracetamol and aspirin
• antidepressants
• diabetes medicines
• medicines used to treat high blood pressure
• steroid medicines, such as prednisolone
• some cancer treatments
• methadone (used to treat opioid dependence) may refer you for tests to rule out a serious cause of your symptoms.

When should I see my doctor?

You should see your doctor if you're having night sweats when it's not hot. Especially if you notice other symptoms such as:

• unexplained weight loss
• fever
• pain in a specific area
• cough
• diarrhoea

How are night sweats treated?

Your doctor will recommend a treatment after checking the cause of your night sweats.

If a medicine is the cause of your night sweats, there may be another option that your doctor can prescribe.

Self-care at home

Depending on the cause of your night sweats, these tips may help you feel more comfortable and cooler during the night.

• Wear loose-fitting pyjamas made of natural fibres such as cotton or linen.
• Use lightweight bedding at night, that you can remove if needed.
• Use a fan or air conditioning in your bedroom.
• Sip cold water through the night.
• Exercise regularly during the day.

Avoiding common triggers of night sweats in the hours before bed can also help. Common triggers include:

• alcohol
• smoking
• caffeine
• spicy foods
• exercise

Medicines for night sweats

For menopause-related night sweats, your doctor may recommend menopausal hormone treatment (MHT). Ask your doctor if hormone therapy is suitable for you, as it isn't recommended for everyone.

Can night sweats be prevented?

Depending on the cause of your night sweats you may be able to decrease them. Avoid the common triggers for night sweats listed above. Wear comfortable loose cotton or linen night clothes.

Resources and support

The Sleep Foundation offers a range of resources to help with sleep and your health.

Visit Jean Hailes for Women's Health to read about managing hot flushes and night sweats.

The Australian Menopause Society has information on menopause in languages other than English.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.