Night Sweats & Menopause: Understanding the Connection & Relief

During menopause, many women experience frequent spikes in body temperature--known as "hot flashes" or "night sweats"--which can deplete essential minerals in the body.

Features

• Night sweats are bouts of sweating that occur during sleep and often awaken menopausal women in the middle of the night.

Causes

• Night sweats, like other menopausal symptoms, are caused by a lack of estrogen in the body or a hormonal imbalance.

Effects

• Excessive sweating can deplete some of the body's essential nutrients, especially potassium. Potassium deficiency can cause nervous system damage and irregular heartbeat.

Expert Insight

• Dr. James Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," recommends menopausal women who suffer from night sweats take a daily supplement with 99 mg of potassium.

Prevention/Solution

• Maintain balanced hormone levels by eating foods that contain phytoestrogen--such as soy protein--or supplementing with the herb black cohosh. This may help prevent or reduce the occurrence of night sweats.