Women's Health

Night sweats

03/23/2006

Question:

I had my uterus removed 20 yrs. ago and took Premarin for 19 1/2 yrs. I am 70 now. How much longer will I have night sweats? Taking Black Cohosh makes me sluggish during the day, and has made no difference in the night sweats. Is there anything else I can do? I hardly sleep at night. Awake every hr. Ambian makes me groggy, til the afternoon of the next day, so not an option.

Answer:

I'm assuming that you stopped taking Premarin just 6 months ago, and that you probably just stopped (rather than tapering off). That being said, it is impossible to say how long you will have night sweats. If Black Cohosh doesn't help, don't take it; and you would do well not to take sleeping medications either. You could try dong quai (angelica), to see if that would help.

Here are some other suggestions: room temperature has a lot to do with night sweats. Try to sleep in a cool room; there is a "bottom" on that, but if you've been sleeping in a warm room, try turning down the heat a few degrees every day or two and see if that makes a difference. You will know when it's too cold, because then the night sweats may start again. Don't add more blankets because you've turned down the heat. Also, be sure to wear cotton nightclothes, not synthetics, like nylon. Finally, try leaving one arm or leg outside the covers; that also can help keep you cool; or do that when you wake up, rather than getting up or throwing off the covers (if you do that). Good luck!

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Response by:

Linda A. Bernhard, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
Adult Health and Illness
College of Nursing
The Ohio State University