A condition characterized by excessive sweating at night is known as night sweats. The causes of night sweats in women are many. It can be due to something harmless like too hot bedroom or wearing warm clothes. Sometimes it can be because of a severe medical condition. However, this condition is quite common.
Causes of night sweats in women
Menopause-
The most common night sweats cause in women is menopause. The hot flashes (a symptom of menopause) can occur at night, leading to night sweats.
Idiopathic hyperhidrosis-
A condition where the body produces too much of sweat without any medical reason.
Cancers-
Night sweats can be an early sign of some cancers. However, other cancer symptoms like weight loss and fever are also accompanied.
Medication-
Some medicines are also said to cause night sweats. The medicines which might lead to night sweats are:
- Anti-depressants
- Psychiatric drugs
- Aspirin
- Acetaminophen
- Niacin
- Tamoxifin
- Hydralazine
- Sildenafil
- Prednisone
Infections-
Infection is also one of the causes of night sweats in women. Tuberculosis, bacterial infection, AIDS virus infection etc., can be reasons for night sweats.
Hormone disorder-
Sometimes, hormonal disorder might also trigger night sweat. Imbalance in the endocrine glands, adrenal glands etc., cause night sweats.
Hypoglycemia-
Low blood glucose can also lead to excessive sweating. People who take insulin or other anti-diabetic drugs can experience hypoglycemia at night along with night sweats.
Neurological condition-
Certain neurological condition like strokes can cause night sweats.
These are some of the night sweat causes which commonly occur in women. As mentioned earlier, it can be an outcome of something very harmless or a symptom of underlying medical condition. A physician will be able to diagnose the real cause of night sweat.
