Sweating/night sweats

Hi Sun-Rose

Sounds rather like it. Depends also on your stress levels, as high stress levels can upset hormonal balance. Have a look here.

Hi Sun-Rose

Sounds rather like it. Depends also on your stress levels, as high stress levels can upset hormonal balance. Have a look here.

quote

Symptoms of the menopause can include hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, declining libido, osteoporosis, ageing skin, lack of energy, joint pains, weight gain, headaches and changes in hair quality. Interestingly, men also experience a lot of these symptoms, with irritability, a declining libido, changes in weight, ageing skin and hair, depression and anxiety. These symptoms are apparently part of the Western ageing process for both men and women, so it's important not to blame every symptom that you experience on the menopause.unquote

Can relate to the majority of the above. thanks for the link I have just ordered her book.:)

Nightsweats are seen in Chinese medicine terms as being related to either Yin Deficiency or an Excess of Heat. In women Yin Deficiency occurs partly as a result of the natural decline in the "cooling" aspect of the body; when Yin can no longer balance Yang, heat occurs in the body which is termed "Deficiency Heat", meaning it arises as a result of deficiency rather than simply having too much heat. The sweats are worse at night as this part of the day "belongs" to Yin;if the body is Yin deficient it cannot hold the Yang in balance,which rises to the surface (the outside of the body being Yang).

These sweats are also known as "Robber sweats" as they are thought to deplete inner essences if left unchecked.Try adding a little watermelon to your diet, and crunch up the pips! Acupuncture can also help to lessen the severity in some cases. Try to avoid getting cold air on a sweaty body; the Chinese would assert that this causes stiffness, or even paralysis like Bell's Palsy. Cut right back on coffee and alcohol, as these are very Yang and heat the body up.

Yin Deficiency with Empty Heat usually has associated signs; red cheekbones, a tongue with no coating, thirst but drinking sips- especially in the evening, heat feelings on the face and chest- or even the hands. Depending on other pathological signs, it can be further differentiated with involvement from the Heart (palpitations, anxiety and strong dreams); Kidney (night urination, low back pain); Liver (blurred vision, dry hair/nails); Stomach (indigestion) or a combination of these

As mentioned, stress and worry also cause Heat, but for a different reason. If you're already Yin deficient, AND stressed, the combination may be more severe sweats, so do try to stay relaxed. I'd avoid soya products too, as these are known to cause problems with hormone balance in some people.

In China the menopause is referred to as the "Second Spring" and is thought of as a time for revitalising and flourishing, and Chinese women report fewer symptoms that Western counterparts. This is probably down to prudery rather than anything else, but Chinese women tend to use diet as medicine, and would add cooling herbs and foodstuffs at this time

Nightsweats are seen in Chinese medicine terms as being related to either Yin Deficiency or an Excess of Heat. In women Yin Deficiency occurs partly as a result of the natural decline in the "cooling" aspect of the body; when Yin can no longer balance Yang, heat occurs in the body which is termed "Deficiency Heat", meaning it arises as a result of deficiency rather than simply having too much heat. The sweats are worse at night as this part of the day "belongs" to Yin;if the body is Yin deficient it cannot hold the Yang in balance,which rises to the surface (the outside of the body being Yang).

These sweats are also known as "Robber sweats" as they are thought to deplete inner essences if left unchecked.Try adding a little watermelon to your diet, and crunch up the pips! Acupuncture can also help to lessen the severity in some cases. Try to avoid getting cold air on a sweaty body; the Chinese would assert that this causes stiffness, or even paralysis like Bell's Palsy. Cut right back on coffee and alcohol, as these are very Yang and heat the body up.

Yin Deficiency with Empty Heat usually has associated signs; red cheekbones, a tongue with no coating, thirst but drinking sips- especially in the evening, heat feelings on the face and chest- or even the hands. Depending on other pathological signs, it can be further differentiated with involvement from the Heart (palpitations, anxiety and strong dreams); Kidney (night urination, low back pain); Liver (blurred vision, dry hair/nails); Stomach (indigestion) or a combination of these

As mentioned, stress and worry also cause Heat, but for a different reason. If you're already Yin deficient, AND stressed, the combination may be more severe sweats, so do try to stay relaxed. I'd avoid soya products too, as these are known to cause problems with hormone balance in some people.

In China the menopause is referred to as the "Second Spring" and is thought of as a time for revitalising and flourishing, and Chinese women report fewer symptoms that Western counterparts. This is probably down to prudery rather than anything else, but Chinese women tend to use diet as medicine, and would add cooling herbs and foodstuffs at this time

thank you for all the information:), never looked at it from that angle..I like the term Second Spring has a much more positive vibe about it.

Hi Sun Rose,

Just found this forum and this is my first post, as I'm not familiar with forums I do hope I'm posting at the right place, apologies if this answer ends up somewhere it shouldn't be! Also my first language is not English so... hard for me to make a long story short sometimes!

I have been suffering with monthly night sweats like you described since I was 28-29 (am now almost 35). They started after I had an IUD installed at 26 by a doctor who "accidently" pierced my uterine membrane during insertion. I complained about pain for hours after, days, months and was told all was fine with the IUD. 6 months later the pain was gone but 3 years on (I still had the IUD) I needed an operation as my pelvic area was saturated with infection, cysts on ovaries, fibroid, scar tissue, etc. My fallopian tubes are full of water and are apparently useless now. All I wanted was a hormone-free contraceptive!!! 🙁

Ever since I had been suffering from same symptoms as someone who has PCOS although technically I do not have it as my cysts were not exactly on the ovaries.

I complained for many years about the nightsweats to several doctors and was told there was nothing wrong with me and nothing could be done. Never was I told once it could be linked to hormones.

Then 2 years ago I moved to the UK from Canada to be with my partner and suddenly it got worse. I was constantly tired, had nightsweats twice during the month for 3-4-5 days at a time, everything was going well in my life and I couldn't understand what was happening. It came to the point that my partner couldn't stand me anymore, although everything was fine before I left!

Following advice from an online forum post, I started keeping a calendar of when the nightsweats occured and it was clearly linked to my cycle. I was fine from day 1 to 13ish, then at ovulation I had insomnia and nightseats for 2-3 days or more. Then I started getting depressed and tired from day 14-28, with the worse days 2-3 days before my period. The nightsweats started about 4-5 days before my period and I had to wake up and change the sheets every night. Great start to a new relationship!

As I was desperate to not be sent back to Canada on the next flight, I started looking on the web and found out about the book "What your doctor won't tell you about premenopause" by Dr. John Lee. In it were mentioned natural progesterone and a bunch of other herbs and vitamins.

This is what I did along the lines of what was in the book. But you should research for yourself and not follow this blindly...
- Took 1 multivitamin for women (like Femibion) daily
- 1 x tablet of Milk Thisle
- 1 x evening primrose oil
- 1 x vitamin B6 1 week before my period
- 1 dab of natural progesterone at bedtime, for 3 months

I can say the nightsweats and depression went away within 2 months. For me it was a miracle cure.

A while after, we moved to Spain for 8 months and then back to the UK. Symptoms came back as soon as I came back here. I do also feel more sweaty during the day and put words in wrong places like you mention (having to think in 2 languages doesn't help!). I started natural progesterone again (1 dab at night, no supplements or vitamins) with the OK from my doctor and this time it wasn't working as well. I was puzzled. I also started having extreme pain at ovulation, and some cysts that were left started "bursting" and bleeding. Nightsweats, tiredness and (very) extreme depression came back 3-4 days before my period, so went for scans, tests, etc. I was offered the conventional "pill and antidepressants" combination, which I refused. My mum was menopaused at 34 (same age as me) and has been on antidepressants all her life; there was no way I was going down that path.

I re-read Dr. Lee's book and found out I had omitted a few things. According to Dr Lee life's big stresses such as moving can contribute to anovulatory cycles (which is also something that starts happening more during premenopause). As folicles normally produced during ovulation create part of the progesterone you need to sustain your mood, if one month you don't ovulate, your "run out" of progesterone early on. This could be one cause of PMT, nightsweats, and other symptoms. The "remedy" for this was to increase natural progesterone for a few months to replenish reserves, along with the vitamins and supplements above with slight change:

Symptoms were gone in 1 month. This is what I now take, again along the lines of what's in the book. Again I think you should research for yourself and not follow this blindly.
- 1 multivitamin dose for women (like Femibion) daily
- 1 x tablet of AGNUS CASTUS
- 1 x evening primrose oil + cod liver oil (as 1 capsule)
- 1 x vitamin B6 the entire month
- 1 dab of natural progesterone at bedtime days 1-12, then 2 dabs morning and evening, with bigger dabs 4-5 days before my period.

I keep taking the supplements but the natural progesterone and B6 at this dose needs to be reduced after a few months. Again, the book explains how to tailor this to your needs...

Also I avoid any alcohol (especially red wine) the week before my period and during ovulation. Before I took all these supplements, I found that really helped reduced the severity of the nightsweats.

Oh and as for the cysts that were bursting and bleeding, my latest sonograph revealed they were gone. And so was my fibroid. I again assume natural progesterone + supplements helped here. I think out of all supplements the Agnus Castus helps the most, I instantly felt a difference. If all is placebo effect well... as long as it works! In my case it saved my relationship and well, it saved me from myself too as I really could not recognise myself anymore. I felt like a different person, in a bad way.

So that was a long post... and all that to say, perhaps you should keep a calendar of when your nightsweats occur, and assess your stress levels or where you are versus premenopause. Get checked by your doctor as these can also be linked to other conditions, although it does sound hormonal. Perhaps try the book I recommended, it's not for everyone but it does explain a lot of things we should know about women's health and beats any "you're normal" with no explanation from doctors. It does have a very complete section on PCOS and herbal remedies and vitamins that can help. Natural progesterone perhaps, again not for everyone but for me it seems to be the solution.

Well, it appears I get all these symptoms everytime I move back to the UK. Maybe that's telling me something hehehe

Sorry about the long post. Hope it helps someone!

thanks for replying..i think i might start keeping a record of what happens when, I am looking at a book that Caroline suggested at the moment, will look at the one you mention too..

Cheers

Hi Sun-Rose and Kariiine,

When I was going through the menopause at quite an early age, I suffered terribly from night sweats and the only thing which really worked were pills from Holland & Barrett called "Flash-Busters". They are herbal and probably contain some of the ingredients Kariiine mentions. Might be worth a try!

Hi Kariiine - welcome to HP!

Interesting post - and well written!!

Glad you have got this sorted. You have done very well to navigate the maze of hormonal imbalances. Well done in finding the solution for you.

There is just one more supplement I might suggest and that is vitamin D. It has many other functions than just building bones and hormone balance is another function. In our latitudes we are almost all short of vitamin D, which is why you probably feel worse when in UK! If you are thinking of supplementing the D3 form is far better than the artificial D2.

Thanks!

Hi Kiga: I'll look them up! I'm not sure if what I experienced were also considered "hot flushes" like women in/approaching menopause do (I believe those happen during the day as well?)

Caroline: thank you! I also have heard of vitamin D but have not tried it, except in small multi-vitamin doses. Before the UK I was in Spain so... perhaps my Vitamin D levels also fell dramatically upon arrival here! hehe But being Canadian, you would think my body was used to 8 months of winter!

I am also at the moment researching natural alternatives in vitamins and supplements... even the Agnus Castus "Boots" supplement that I take right now uses ethanol as solvent...surely that can't be good. I found tinctures but they are a bit more demanding with 3x a day dosage. Still looking...

Yes I am so happy and I wish I could scream to more women who go for needless, extreme alternatives, that it is possible that your doctor does not have all the answers... I was re-reading a letter my gyne sent me recommending PMT (more like PMDD!) treatments today, where she was mentioning Danazol, a drug with androgenic side effects such as deeper voice and enlarged clitoris and thought: how could THAT make me less depressed?!?!!!

Just wish I had done my own research/testing years ago...!

Unfortunately there is no way one can be 'used' to a shortage of vitamin D - the result is ill-health!! 50 years ago all children were supplemented with it. I think all the population north of the 37th parallel should all be offered vitamin D, especially in winter months.

There has been an enormous amount of recent research on it, and what is generally not known is that it is involved with cell cycle regulation and gene control. There are so many illnesses and functions associated with low levels of vitamin D (which is more like a hormone).

The well known one is rickets in children - now being seen far more in UK - parents are lathering on the sunscreen and there is no way the skin can make vitamin D - and no longer allowing children to go in the sun. In adults the bone problem is osteomalacia and having falls - especially in the elderly.

According to Dr Robert P Heaney, a 30-year researcher of vitamin D, low levels are now seen to be associated with diabetes, women's hormonal balance, pre-eclampsia, neonatal infection, MS, bone diseases, hypertension, increased risk of heart problems, asthma, metabolic syndrome, periodontal disease, lower resistance to infection, various cancers and more. An impressive list! It has been shown to be involved in the function of 3000 genes helping cells to function as they should and is vital for immune function. So if you wish to avoid the flu make sure your vitamin D levels are adequate. Dr Heaney says the USA standards are far too low.

As far as agnus castus - have you tried here?

I do agree that I wish I had known what I do now about health matters and nutrition many years ago and avoided all the ill-health I have been through, but all I can do is take it on board now and hope to help others.

Very true!

Very true Caroline. I am discovering things these days with my own "research" that are totally inconsistent with recommended daily allowances and doctors' recommendations.

Industries have been so pervasive in our health choices... sunscreen is big business, like pharmaceuticals. A Japanese friend of mine layers 3 types of sunscreen "butter" (incredibly thick!) before she leaves the house in the summer as she was told the ozone layer was thin over Japan. Industries keep the fear going with the daily "research papers" that come out, as it rakes in the profits... worldwide.

Or take natural progesterone, as it is natural, cannot be patented. You can't make big money with it. My UK gyne lately said not to bother with it as it was not proven for PMS (my Canadian doctor however said she was all for it even though it's hardly sold in Canada), while entire books are devoted to it and some women's health doctors swear by it. Surely someone must be right, but there is no incentive for widespread research on it as it won't ever pay off in a big way (although there is already lots of positive evidence on it, it just doesn't make the news like a very lucrative cancer vaccine would). What doesn't create big pharma jobs is not good for the government. They have to keep you ill enough to keep the economy going but healthy enough to pay your taxes and not be too big of a public expense. It's all a big economic equation.

I have read quickly about vitamin D last week as I am now trying to cure my asthma and allergies as I figured, if doctors are useless with my hormones, perhaps it is the same with my allergies. I have been suffering (hell) since I was 5 years old, and had 2 operations in my nose + tongsils removed as I could not breathe (and today result is the same; still can't breathe and lately have been losing some hearing too) and countless trips to the hospital when I was younger. As it seems everywhere I go there are pets that will trigger an attack, I can say I am using my inhalers almost daily, and visiting family during the holidays is quite painful...

So I have been scanning forums for alternative success stories and found one that was quite inspiring although quite different from mine. I've been reading up on what worked for them: orthomolecular medicine (someone like me would call it "medicine by vitamins"). Apparently high doses of Vitamin C (and some D) work to destroy histamine (as opposed to just blocking receptors like antihistamines do) and so taking vitamin C up to tolerance levels (much higher than recommended daily allowances!) can prevent symptoms.

So I've tried it last week and spent an evening at someone's house that had a cat (I usually react quite a lot to them) and can say with 5000mg within 4 hours, I did not have any reactions. I'm not screaming success yet as I would have to try this again and again... but I am hopeful. I would have to add vitamin D to my regime now also. Antihistamines make me feel terrible... anything to avoid them.

I'm sorry I am highjacking this thread with different issues now...!

As for Agnus Castus thank you for the link; the one I currently take is Boots and it is the same composition as the link you provided (very close) which also uses ethanol as a solvent. So I will keep looking. All this research is taking up a lot of my time (and my partner probably thinks I'm a hypochondriac) but in a way I think it's quite interesting to be able to know yourself more and know what works for you. I am hopeful I will get to the end of it now... !!!

You must be doing a good job at helping others with the number of posts you have 🙂 🙂