Night Sweats in Women: Causes, Symptoms, Natural Relief

Woman waking up overheated in bed, experiencing night sweats in women due to temperature changes.

greg-bailey
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Night sweats in women are incredibly common

But when they start waking you up overheated, damp, and exhausted, they can feel anything but normal. Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, managing stress, or trying to understand why your body suddenly feels like a furnace, those nighttime heat surges can seriously disrupt your rest.

The truth is simple: your body is often reacting to hormonal changes, stress, or a sleep environment that’s trapping too much heat. Once you understand why this happens — and how your bedding affects it — you can finally create cooler, calmer nights again.

This guide breaks down the most common causes of night sweats in women, plus the best natural solutions to help restore the comfort and balance your body is craving.


🌡️ Why Women Experience Night Sweats More Often


Women experience night sweats more frequently than men because hormones play a major role in temperature regulation — and women’s hormones fluctuate far more dramatically.

1. Perimenopause & Menopause

The most common trigger of night sweats in women is fluctuating estrogen. When estrogen dips, the hypothalamus (your internal thermostat) becomes more sensitive and responds to small temperature changes with sudden heat surges.

This is why hot flashes at night are so common during this transition.

During perimenopause, these temperature swings tend to be far more erratic than they are in menopause, which is why many women report the worst episodes of night sweats and women during this transition phase. 

Estrogen levels rise and fall sharply, causing the hypothalamus to misread small changes in core temperature and trigger sudden heat surges at night. Once menopause begins and hormone levels remain consistently low, night sweats may still occur — but often with a more predictable pattern. 

Understanding which stage you’re in can help you choose the right cooling strategies and bedding solutions to stabilise your sleep temperature.

2. Menstrual Cycle Changes

Night sweats can increase:

  • before your period

  • during ovulation

  • or anytime progesterone rises and falls

Younger women often experience night sweats tied to cycle changes without realizing it.

3. Postpartum Hormonal Reset

After giving birth, estrogen levels decrease sharply. Many women experience temporary but intense night sweats during this period of rebalancing.

4. Stress & Cortisol Spikes

Cortisol — your stress hormone — raises core temperature.
This is why busy seasons, emotional stress, or life transitions can trigger night sweats in women.

5. Thyroid Imbalances

Thyroid conditions cause temperature sensitivity. Many women with thyroid fluctuations report waking up hot, flushed, or sweating.


Illustration of a woman sitting up in bed overheating and sweating, showing night sweats in women.

Night sweats in women often strike suddenly, causing overheating and disrupted sleep.



🔥 Night Sweats vs Hot Flashes: What’s the Difference?

  • Hot flashes: sudden waves of heat that can happen anytime.

  • Night sweats: sweating that occurs specifically during sleep.

Women in menopause or perimenopause often experience both — sometimes one triggers the other. Younger women may only experience night sweats, with no daytime symptoms.

Either way, understanding the difference helps you choose the right natural solutions.

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Why Sleep Environment Matters Even More for Women

When exploring the connection between night sweats and women, it becomes clear that bedding and sleep environment play an outsized role. 

Women experiencing hormonal temperature swings are more affected by fabrics that trap heat or cling to moisture. Materials like microfiber, polyester, and even down alternatives can amplify night sweats by creating a humid microclimate around the body. 

Switching to breathable, moisture-moving natural fibers — especially wool — helps regulate temperature in real time, giving women a far more stable and comfortable sleep environment during these heat episodes.

🛏️ How Your Sleep Environment Makes Night Sweats Worse

Even when hormones are involved, your bedding plays a huge role in how intense your night sweats feel.

Synthetic Bedding Traps Heat

Materials like polyester, microfiber, and down alternative create a humid “heat bubble” around your body. This amplifies sweating and prevents your body from cooling itself.

Memory Foam Overheats Easily

Memory foam absorbs heat and releases it slowly — causing repeated overheating cycles throughout the night.

✔️ Natural Fibers Help Your Body Self-Regulate

Breathable materials from natural fibers like organic cotton and regenerative wool:

  • allow airflow

  • wick moisture

  • release heat

  • prevent condensation on the skin

This makes a massive difference for women who sleep hot.

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🌬️ Why Wool Is the Best Bedding for Night Sweats in Women

Women’s temperature can spike quickly — and drop quickly — especially during hormonal shifts.

Wool is the only natural fiber that responds instantly to those micro-changes. You can learn more in our in-depth guide on the benefits of a wool comforter for hot sleepers.

1. Moisture Vapor Transfer

Wool doesn’t just wick moisture — it moves vapor before sweat forms.
This prevents the damp, sticky feeling many women wake up with.

2. Rapid Temperature Regulation

Wool disperses heat in real time. When your core temperature rises, wool releases heat instead of trapping it.

3. Prevents the “Post–Hot Flash Chill”

After a hot flash, women often get sudden chills.
Wool adapts and prevents overcooling — something no synthetic bedding can do.

4. Naturally Hypoallergenic & Chemical-Free

Important for women with sensitive skin or chemical sensitivities.
Your regenerative wool + organic cotton blend offers safer, cleaner sleep.


Natural Ways Women Can Reduce Night Sweats

1. Keep Your Bedroom Cool (60–67°F)

This range supports deeper sleep and reduces heat surges.

2. Switch to Breathable Bedding

Pair organic cotton sheets with a moisture-wicking wool comforter for the best results.

3. Reduce Evening Triggers

Heavy meals, alcohol, and spicy foods can intensify night sweats in women.

4. Create a Calming Nighttime Routine

Gentle yoga, slow breathing, journaling — all help reduce cortisol spikes.

5. Stay Hydrated

Dehydration makes night sweats more intense.

6. Avoid Synthetic Sleepwear

Choose breathable cotton or bamboo.


🌿 The Best Natural Bedding Solution for Women Who Sleep Hot

At Antipodean Home, our organic regenerative wool comforters are crafted to support women through temperature swings — whether caused by hormones, stress, or changing sleep patterns.

Wool’s natural moisture-balancing and temperature-regulating abilities create a more stable microclimate, helping reduce night sweats, hot flashes at night, and overheating.

Paired with our organic cotton sheets, the result is:

  • cooler, drier sleep

  • fewer nighttime wake-ups

  • a naturally healthier sleep environment

Sleep cooler. Wake brighter. Live better.

 Explore Our Bedding For Hot Sleepers Collection 

FAQs on Wool Duvet Inserts, Comforters & Sustainable Bedding

Are night sweats in women always related to hormones?

Not always. While hormonal shifts are the most common trigger, night sweats in women can also come from medications, thyroid issues, stress, infections, or even eating certain foods before bed. If symptoms appear suddenly or feel severe, it’s worth talking to a healthcare professional to rule out other causes.

Can certain foods make night sweats worse?

Yes. Spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, and heavy late-night meals can all raise core body temperature and worsen night sweats in women. Many women notice fewer episodes when reducing evening alcohol or swapping hot meals for lighter, cooling foods.

Does dehydration contribute to night sweats?

It can. When the body is mildly dehydrated, your internal temperature can run hotter, which increases the likelihood of overheating at night. Staying hydrated throughout the day helps your system regulate temperature more effectively.

Are night sweats common in younger women?

Yes. Even though they’re usually associated with menopause, many younger women experience night sweats tied to stress, birth control changes, postpartum recovery, or menstrual cycle shifts. Hormones aren’t age-exclusive.

Can sleeping position affect night sweats?

Sleeping curled up or under heavy blankets can trap heat around your core. Side and back sleeping positions usually allow for better airflow, which can help reduce overheating at night.

Do supplements help reduce night sweats in women?

Some women find relief from supplements like magnesium, evening primrose oil, or black cohosh, though results vary. Always check with a healthcare provider first, especially if you’re taking medications or navigating perimenopause.

Can night sweats affect heart rate or sleep cycles?

Yes. Overheating can trigger micro-awakenings, increase heart rate, and prevent the body from entering deep, restorative sleep. This is one reason why night sweats and women often correlate with daytime fatigue and irritability.

Are night sweats worse during stressful life transitions?

Definitely. Emotional stress raises cortisol — your fight-or-flight hormone — which increases core body temperature. During periods of anxiety, big changes, or overload, many women notice more frequent night sweats.

Do medications for anxiety or depression trigger night sweats?

Certain antidepressants, SSRIs, and anxiety medications list sweating or temperature changes as side effects. If symptoms began after starting a medication, speak with your doctor about alternatives or timing adjustments.

When should women worry about night sweats?

If night sweats are persistent, extreme, come with fever or weight loss, or appear suddenly with no clear cause, it’s best to speak with a doctor. While most cases are harmless, persistent overheating at night can sometimes signal an underlying condition that needs attention.

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