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Hot flushes and night sweats
Hot flushes and night sweats are the best-known symptoms of menopause. Doctors call them vasomotor symptoms (VMS).
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What is a hot flush?
A hot flush is a feeling of heat, together with sweating and flushing (redness), especially around the:
- Head
- Neck
- Chest
- Upper back
Some women in the perimenopause have hot flushes or night sweats before their periods. This often worries them that menopause is around the corner.
What are night sweats?
Night sweats are hot flushes that happen at night, followed by episodes of sweating. You may wake up in the middle of the night sweating. There can also be cold sweats and clammy feelings.
Night sweats disturb sleep.
See a doctor if night sweats come with
a fever, weight loss you can't explain, a cough lasting more than 2 weeks, or swollen glands. These can be signs of other conditions, such as an infection (including tuberculosis), an overactive thyroid or, rarely, cancer.
How common are they?
How long do they last?
Most postmenopausal women have hot flushes for less than 7 years. But 15% of women continue to have hot flushes for 15 years or more.
Getting help
You don't have to put up with them
If hot flushes or night sweats are affecting your sleep, work or daily life, talk to your doctor about the options:
Keep learning
Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)
How MHT works, who it suits and what to ask your doctor.
Read moreNon-hormonal treatments
Options for women who can't or don't want to take hormones.
Read moreLifestyle changes
Everyday steps that can ease symptoms and protect your health.
Read moreWorried about your symptoms?
Your doctor can help you work out what is going on and talk you through your options.