Night sweats are hot flushes that happen during sleep. You may wake suddenly feeling intensely hot, drenched in sweat, then cold and uncomfortable — often making it hard to get back to sleep. Over time, disrupted sleep affects energy, mood, concentration and overall quality of life.

Night sweats happen for the same hormonal reasons as daytime hot flushes — falling oestrogen levels affect the brain's temperature regulation. At night, when your body is trying to rest and regulate, this sensitivity can be particularly disruptive

Some things that can help include: keeping the bedroom cool, choosing breathable cotton bedding and nightwear, avoiding alcohol and spicy food in the evening, practising slow breathing techniques before sleep, and keeping a diary to identify your personal triggers. These strategies won't eliminate night sweats, but they can reduce their impact.

If night sweats are significantly affecting your sleep and daily life, or if you have any other symptoms you're concerned about, speak to your GP. Night sweats can occasionally have causes other than menopause — your GP can help identify what's going on and discuss your options.

The CBT programme for hot flushes and night sweats teaches evidence-based self-management techniques — including tools specifically for managing night-time symptoms and their impact on sleep. Our self care workshops also cover sleep health as part of a broader wellbeing approach.