Night Sweats

What is it?

Night sweats refer to recurrent episodes of excessive sweating during sleep, severe enough to soak nightclothes or bedding, unrelated to a hot environment. They are a symptom, not a diagnosis, and can reflect a wide range of conditions from benign hormonal changes to serious systemic disease. Menopause is the most common cause in women. Medications — particularly antidepressants, opioids, and antipyretics — are a common and often overlooked cause. Constitutional symptoms of lymphoma classically include drenching night sweats with fever and unintentional weight loss (the "B symptoms"). Any persistent night sweats warrant evaluation.

Common causes

When to see a doctor

• 1Night sweats with unexplained weight loss and fatigue (lymphoma red flag)
• 2Night sweats with persistent fever above 38°C
• 3Drenching sweats that require multiple clothing changes per night
• 4Night sweats with enlarged lymph nodes
• 5New onset in someone with HIV, immunosuppression, or cancer history
• 6Night sweats lasting more than a month without an identified cause

What you can do

• ✓Keep your bedroom cool (around 65–68°F / 18–20°C) and well ventilated
• ✓Use moisture-wicking or breathable cotton bedding and sleepwear
• ✓Avoid alcohol, spicy foods, and caffeine in the evening — all can trigger sweating
• ✓Keep a glass of cold water by the bed for rapid cooling
• ✓If triggered by an antidepressant, talk to your prescriber — dose adjustments or switching can help
• ✓Track night sweats in a diary with any associated symptoms to help with evaluation

Conditions that cause this symptom

Medications that may help

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Always consult your provider before starting any medication.

Frequently asked questions