16 Common Causes of Night Sweats — and What to Do About It
Key takeaways:
Waking up in a pool of sweat is uncomfortable. But it’s not always a cause for concern. It’s usually due to a warm room, heavy sleepwear, or too many covers on your bed.
Other common causes of night sweats include stress, hormonal changes and menopause, infections like the common cold, and over-the-counter medications.
Sometimes night sweats may be a sign that something more serious is going on. Other new symptoms can help you decide when it’s time to see a healthcare professional.
Table of contents
Waking up in a pool of sweat is a relatively common experience that people refer to as “night sweats.” In most cases, they aren’t a cause for concern. Usually, they mean the room is too hot or the bedding is too heavy.
But, every now and then, they’re a sign of an underlying health condition. We’ll explain the most common causes of night sweats — and how to know if you should see a healthcare professional to rule out if anything more serious is going on.
The most common night sweat causes
Night sweats are sometimes cause for concern, but they often have nothing to do with a person’s health. They’re many times a symptom of the natural changes that happen when you sleep. Let’s review the most common night sweat causes below.
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1. Sleepwear
Your pajamas may be causing you to overheat at night. This is especially true if your pajamas have long sleeves or if they’re made from a heavier material like fleece or flannel.
2. Sleep environment
When most people picture going to sleep, they imagine curling up in a warm and cozy bed. Nestling under a heap of covers can actually help you fall asleep. But if you like a heavy blanket, it’s important to keep the room temperature cold (60°F to 67°F is the ideal range) to avoid sweating overnight.
3. Medications
Many medications may cause excessive sweating and lead to night sweats. Common ones include:
medications that help bring down fevers, like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil)
steroids, such as prednisone
certain antidepressants, like amitriptyline, duloxetine, and venlafaxine
medications for diabetes, like insulin and pioglitazone
4. Menopause
Hot flashes can occur at night while you’re sleeping. These are common during menopause or perimenopause — the period of time around menopause when a person’s body starts changing in preparation for menopause.
5. Menstruation
A decrease in the hormone estrogen can cause the body to be more sensitive to temperature changes. This change happens right before and at the start of a person’s menstrual period. And it may cause some people to experience night sweats.
6. Stress
The body’s natural stress response can result in sweating — and this sweating may happen at night. Stress can cause an overactive mind and body, which can result in different physical symptoms.
Looking for night-sweat relief? Here are some proven ways to beat night sweats and stay cool at night.
Medications and night sweats: Find out which common medications may contribute to night sweats.
Night sweats from perimenopause: Learn more about how perimenopause can leave you drenched at night and disrupt your sleep.
7. Infection
A routine infection, like the common cold, can cause a fever that leads to night sweats. But some rarer infections can also cause night sweats. These include endocarditis, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), mononucleosis, and malaria. But getting night sweats from a fever doesn’t necessarily mean that you have one of these infections. If you have a fever, talk with a healthcare professional for advice on the source of the fever.
8. Hyperthyroidism
The thyroid is a gland in the body that helps maintain body temperature. When it’s overactive in hyperthyroidism, it can heat up the body more than usual. This can lead to night sweats. Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed with a blood test. Make sure to visit a healthcare professional if you have unexplained night sweats or think you may be at risk for thyroid disease.
9. Chronic acid reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is a common condition that can lead to heartburn, chest pain, and sometimes a hoarse voice and cough. GERD symptoms are often worse at night, when you’re lying flat. Some studies show GERD can also cause night sweats.
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10. Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes a person to temporarily stop breathing while asleep. Case reports suggest that this condition can lead to night sweats. If people tell you that you are a heavy snorer or gasp for air while sleeping, you may be at risk for sleep apnea.
11. Sweating disorder
This is a rare but harmless condition known as “hyperhidrosis.” It makes a person sweat excessively — both during the day and at night. There are effective treatments for this condition, so don’t be embarrassed to let a healthcare professional know if you’re very sweaty.
12. Autoimmune disorders
Night sweats can sometimes be a symptom of autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, and lupus.
13. Autonomic neuropathy
This can lead to problems with excessive sweating. It’s caused by damage to the nerves that control the involuntary functions of your organs. Conditions that can lead to autonomic neuropathy include diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.
14. Alcohol use disorder
Alcohol can increase the size of your blood vessels. This can lead to increased sweating, especially if you drink alcohol before going to bed or drink heavily.
15. Substance use disorder
Addictive substances, like cocaine and heroin, can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature and may cause night sweats.
16. Cancer
This is a much less common cause of night sweats. But certain cancers are known to cause night sweats, like:
What to do if you have night sweats
Waking up in a pool of sweat is an unpleasant feeling. And it can disrupt your sleep. If you find yourself waking up with night sweats, here are some things you can try to help get rid of them:
Dress in light sleepwear. Pajamas should be loose, light, and breathable. Avoid flannel or fleece, and choose short sleeves and shorts instead of longer pajamas.
Remove blankets. Avoid heavy or down comforters. Use only a sheet or sleep on top of the covers.
Try lowering the temperature in the room. The recommended temperature for sleeping is between 60°F and 67°F. If possible, try adjusting your air conditioner at night to this setting.
Open a window. If you don’t have air conditioning, open any windows that are in the room. This can help circulate air and keep the room cooler.
Use a fan. Strategically placed fans that rotate and blow cool air directly toward you can help keep you cool as you sleep.
When should you get care for night sweats?
Sometimes night sweats can be a sign that there’s something else going on. Pay attention to other symptoms that seem new for you. See a healthcare professional if you’re also experiencing:
Fever
Excessive tiredness
Cough or shortness of breath
Unintentional weight loss
Rashes
Nail changes (long, red streaks underneath the nail)
New pain
Excessive fatigue
Even if you don’t have any of the above symptoms, it’s still a good idea to see a healthcare professional if you’re experiencing night sweats that won’t go away. This is especially the case if you’ve followed the suggested tips and things are not getting any better.
Frequently asked questions
Night sweats aren’t always a red flag. In fact, most times they aren’t serious. But sometimes, night sweats are due to an underlying illness. That’s why it’s a good idea to let a healthcare professional know if you’re having night sweats that won’t go away.
Yes, anxiety has been linked to night sweats — both chronic and short-term anxiety. This may be a function of having elevated stress hormones and the impact that has on sweat glands. If you think you may have anxiety, talk with a healthcare professional about how to manage it effectively.
Night sweats are nonspecific. In some cases they can be an indicator of infection, hormone changes, or medical conditions. Sometimes, they are just the result of heavy blankets and nightclothes. Every now and then, the cause of someone’s night sweats is never figured out.
The bottom line
Night sweats are common and usually temporary. You can try some simple changes to keep you cool at night — wear light pajamas, lose the comforter, and keep your bedroom at a cool temperature.
But if you’re having other symptoms that are new or unexplained, talk with a healthcare professional. In some cases, night sweats can mean something more serious is going on.
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References
Breus, M. (2024). Night sweats: Causes and treatments. Sleep Doctor.
Healthdirect. (2020). Night sweats.
Mold, J. W., et al. (2012). Night sweats: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
National Health Service. (2023). Night sweats.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018). Autonomic neuropathy.
Pacheco, D., et al. (2024). The best temperature for sleep. Sleep Foundation.
Summer, J., et al. (2024). Night sweats in women: Causes, remedies, and tips. Sleep Foundation.
Tschinkel, A. (2021). Why am I so sweaty around my period? Shape.
Wynn, P. (2022). Night sweats: What you need to know. U.S. News.
