Hot Flushes & Night Sweats During Perimenopause and Menopause

Hot flushes and night sweats are common vasomotor symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. They can range from occasional warmth to repeated episodes that disrupt sleep, work and everyday life.

If symptoms are affecting your wellbeing, you do not have to simply tolerate them. Appropriate assessment can help distinguish menopause-related symptoms from other possible causes and discuss evidence-based options.

Start with our Perimenopause & Menopause Support Hub.

What does a hot flush feel like?

A hot flush can feel like a sudden sensation of heat, commonly affecting the face, neck or chest. Sweating, flushing or chills may accompany it. Some people also notice palpitations.

What are night sweats?

Night sweats are episodes of sweating during sleep. Menopause-related night sweats can wake you and contribute to poor sleep, tiredness and difficulty concentrating the following day.

Read our guide to menopause and sleep if disrupted sleep is becoming a major concern.

Are hot flushes always caused by menopause?

No. Although hot flushes are strongly associated with perimenopause and menopause, feeling hot or sweating can have other causes, including illness, medicines and other health conditions. New, unusual or concerning symptoms should be assessed rather than automatically attributed to menopause.

What can help hot flushes and night sweats?

Simple measures such as keeping the bedroom cool, wearing light layers, using breathable bedding, reducing known personal triggers and maintaining regular sleep habits may make symptoms easier to manage.

For people who need treatment, NICE recommends offering HRT for vasomotor symptoms when clinically appropriate after an individual discussion of benefits and risks. Menopause-specific cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can also be considered, including for people who prefer a non-hormonal approach or when HRT is contraindicated. Other prescription options may be appropriate in particular circumstances and require clinical assessment.

Read our HRT guide for a balanced overview.

When should I seek medical advice?

Speak to an appropriate healthcare professional if hot flushes or night sweats are significantly affecting sleep or quality of life, are difficult to manage, begin in an unusual context, or are accompanied by other symptoms that concern you.

Seek urgent medical help for symptoms such as chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting or another medical emergency.

Menopause support in Rochdale & Greater Manchester

Longeva Wellness provides women's health and wellness services from Rochdale. Our information pathway connects symptoms with appropriate healthcare advice while recognising that not every symptom is caused by menopause.

Visit the Menopause Support Hub, explore Women's Health, or book an appropriate Longeva consultation where the concern falls within our service scope.

This article provides general information and is not a diagnosis. Treatment suitability requires individual clinical assessment.