{"id":148911,"date":"2025-06-01T07:45:17","date_gmt":"2025-06-01T07:45:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/148911\/"},"modified":"2025-06-01T07:45:17","modified_gmt":"2025-06-01T07:45:17","slug":"wake-up-sweating-at-3am-this-may-be-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/148911\/","title":{"rendered":"Wake Up Sweating At 3am? This May Be Why"},"content":{"rendered":"

Try as I might (and believe me, I\u2019ve tried<\/a>), I constantly manage to wake up hot and sweaty at 3am. <\/p>\n

I\u2019ve always attributed that to my insomnia<\/a>. But hormone and sleep specialists have shared my issues might be partly down to my biology.<\/p>\n

We know it\u2019s crucial to keep bedrooms cool (experts recommend 16-18\u00b0C) to be able to sleep well \u2013 and this is perhaps even more important for women. <\/p>\n

When a study found rising temperatures are impacting sleep globally, it also revealed women were impacted more than men. The Guardian noted \u201cwomen\u2019s bodies cool earlier in the evening than men\u2019s when going to sleep, meaning higher night time temperatures may have a bigger impact on women\u201d.<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s slightly higher core body temperatures can also make us \u201cfeel\u201d external cold and warmth more intensely, Dr Karan Rajan previously shared<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Women appear to wake up overheated more often than men \u2013 but why?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr Renee Young, an endocrinologist and founder of the Young Naturopathic Centre For Wellness<\/a>, told Pretty You London<\/a> that \u201chormones like oestrogen and progesterone play a central role in how the brain regulates body temperature\u201d.<\/p>\n

She added: \u201cEven slight fluctuations can confuse the body into thinking it needs to cool down. That often looks like a hot flush or a sudden sweat episode, especially at night.\u201d<\/p>\n

These are not exclusive to menopause or perimenopause, though both of these can lead to similar symptoms.<\/p>\n

Clinical dietitian Dr Colleen Fogarty-Draper<\/a> said it\u2019s not just hormones, though. <\/p>\n

\u201cWomen in midlife often have a lower stress threshold… Higher cortisol levels, especially when they don\u2019t follow their normal rhythm, can interfere with sleep and make overheating worse,\u201d she shared.<\/p>\n

How can I stop overheating at night?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Though you might be tempted to take a cooling shower before settling down, NHS GP Dr Hana Patel<\/a> said this may not be the answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cA cold shower can cause your body to generate more heat as a response,\u201d she advised, while the cool-down period following a warm shower \u201ctells your brain it\u2019s time to sleep\u201d.<\/p>\n

Wearing thinner pyjamas, avoiding heavy bedding, and even keeping your partner out of your bed (if needed) may help, The Sleep Foundation said<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Whatever the cause, though, you should see your GP if your sleep is consistently interrupted.<\/p>\n

\u201cMenopause and hormonal changes don\u2019t have to steal your sleep,\u201d Dr Fogarty-Draper stressed. \u201cWhen we understand the cause, we can take back control.\u201d<\/p>\n