Key takeaways

Night sweats feel like a sudden wave of heat and can leave you drenched in sweat.
Hormonal changes like perimenopause and menopause, certain infections, and medications can cause night sweats.
Keeping your bedroom cool, wearing moisture-wicking pajamas, and treating underlying medical conditions can help prevent night sweats.
If your night sweats are accompanied by pain, weight loss, fever, diarrhea, or coughing, seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause.

In this article:

What causes night sweats?
How to stop night sweats
When to be concerned about night sweats

In this article

What causes night sweats?
How to stop night sweats
When to be concerned about night sweats

Is your sleep regularly disrupted by sweat-soaked pajamas or sheets from overheating? If so, night sweats may be to blame. The Mayo Clinic defines night sweats as repeated episodes of heavy sweating during sleep. Your perspiration may not be due to heat generated from thick bedding or a warm room. Instead, night sweats are usually caused by an underlying illness or medical condition.

If you’re experiencing night sweats accompanied by symptoms such as pain, weight loss, fever, diarrhea, or coughing, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider to find out what’s causing the condition. Here are common causes of night sweats plus treatment options.

What causes night sweats?

Sweating is a normal body function that helps to regulate your temperature. Under normal circumstances, the cooling effect of sweating feels good and makes you more comfortable. But night sweats, or episodes of excessive sweating that occur during sleep, feel more like a sudden wave of heat, says Laura Purdy, MD, a Nashville-based board-certified family medicine physician practicing telehealth nationwide.

Night sweats are more common in females than males and are often related to fluctuating levels of the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone. These changes can interfere with your body temperature, causing you to feel too hot.

Night sweats are triggered by signals from the hypothalamus, a region of the brain, says Dr. Purdy. The hypothalamus regulates body temperature and stimulates sweat production when the body becomes too warm, she explains. Night sweats occur when the hypothalamus is triggered, which can lead to hot flashes and excessive sweating during sleep.

According to Sean Ormond, MD, a dual board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain management provider at Atlas Pain Specialists in Glendale, Arizona, night sweats can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Hormonal changes: Hormonal imbalances, which can occur during perimenopause or menopause (or andropause in males), can lead to night sweats. In these cases, hormone replacement therapy, other treatments to balance hormone levels, or specific medications may help alleviate symptoms.
Infections: Certain infections, such as tuberculosis, HIV, bacterial endocarditis, or other illnesses, can cause night sweats. Seeking treatment from a medical provider for the underlying infection may help resolve night sweats.
Medications: Some medications—including antidepressants, hormone therapy, and stimulants—can cause night sweats as a side effect. Consult with your healthcare provider to discuss potential medication adjustments if you suspect your medication may be causing night sweats.
Sleep disorders: Conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea can cause night sweats. Proper diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders can help alleviate symptoms.
Hyperhidrosis: Some people have a condition called primary hyperhidrosis, which is defined as excessive sweating without an identifiable cause. Treatment options include antiperspirants, medications, botulinum injections, or, in some cases, surgery.
Chronic medical conditions: Certain health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), or cancer—especially leukemia and lymphoma—can cause night sweats. Proper management and treatment of these conditions may help alleviate symptoms.
Neurologic disorders: Conditions such as stroke, autonomic dysreflexia (damage to central involuntary nerves), neuropathy (damage to sensory nerves), and syringomyelia (spinal cord cyst) can contribute to night sweats.
Anxiety and stress: Dr. Purdy adds that excessive stress and anxiety can sometimes cause night sweats. While studies have linked anxiety with sweating, the exact mechanism by which this occurs is unknown.

How to stop night sweats

To stop night sweats, it’s essential to identify and address their underlying cause, says Dr. Ormond, adding that it’s best to consult with your healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation and personalized recommendations. In the meantime, you can try the following lifestyle changes to improve your sleep habits and minimize night sweats.

Maintain a cool sleeping environment

Keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature and use lightweight, breathable bedding, suggests Dr. Ormond. To reduce heat and humidity, Dr. Purdy recommends using a fan, air conditioning, or keeping the windows open if you experience night sweats.

Use moisture-wicking sleepwear and bedding

Choose loose-fitting pajamas that are made from moisture-wicking fabrics to help keep you dry throughout the night, says Dr. Ormond. Research suggests that fabrics like wool and cotton are ideal for sleeping. Lightweight bedding made from breathable materials, like cotton or linen, promotes airflow and reduces body heat retention, says Dr. Purdy.

Avoid triggers

Don’t consume food or drinks that are potential triggers for night sweats before bedtime. These include caffeine, alcohol, sugary foods, hot beverages, and spicy foods, according to Dr. Ormond. When consumed too close to when you plan to sleep, these foods can increase body temperature and trigger sweating, adds Dr. Purdy.

Practice relaxation

Engage in stress-relieving activities to help promote relaxation and improve sleep quality, says Dr. Ormond. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, and meditation can help.

Take medications

If your night sweats are caused by an underlying medical condition, your provider may prescribe medications to treat the condition and alleviate the symptoms, says Dr. Purdy. If you’re on medication, take them as indicated by your healthcare provider.

Maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight or obese can increase the likelihood of night sweats, so maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise is important, advises Dr. Purdy. According to research, obesity can also contribute to more severe vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.

Avoid cigarettes

Smoking can increase body temperature and stimulate sweating, so it’s best to avoid cigarettes before bedtime, says Dr. Purdy. In fact, research links smoking with increased risk of hot flashes among women in midlife.

Don’t exercise right before bed

Regular exercise is important, but it can raise body temperature and increase sweating, says Dr. Purdy. That’s why it’s best to avoid vigorous exercise less than an hour before when you plan to go to sleep.

When to be concerned about night sweats

If night sweats are accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, chills, bruising, or weight loss, it may indicate an underlying medical condition that requires attention, says Dr. Purdy. If your night sweats are severe, frequent, or interfere with sleep, these symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare provider. It’s important to identify and address the underlying cause of night sweats in order to effectively manage the symptoms and improve your quality of life, she says.