Menopause refers to the final end of a woman’s menstrual cycle. A woman is said to have achieved this when no menstruation has occurred for twelve consecutive months. It is a natural process that takes place between the ages of 45 and 55. A woman faces various problems during menopause. Among these cases, sweating is a common complaint that can occur during menopause and perimenopause (before menopause). More than 70% of women going through menopause face this problem. In most cases this is accompanied by a heated feeling in the body. Sweating is more often noticed at night (night sweats). The sweat at night can make the fabric and sheet excessively wet. In such cases, a sudden and intense sensation of heat is felt in the body due to dilation of blood vessels, followed by contraction and sweating. During sweating, the heart rate may increase. It can feel like a panic attack. After this episode is over, a chill may be felt. The severity and frequency of sweating and heat flashes vary from woman to woman. Excessive sweating can have many consequences for a woman. Sweating can be quite uncomfortable and interfere with daily routine activities. The sweat can also give off a foul odor that can be quite unpleasant and can cause embarrassment and lower self-esteem, especially among people. Excessive sweating can lead to exhaustion. Sweating can also cause irritation, itching or rash. The risk of skin infection also increases due to sweating. Sweating at night can disrupt sleep.
The exact cause of sweating during menopause is not yet fully understood. But it is suggested that the hormonal changes, including a drop in estrogen levels, cause such complaints. The hormonal changes affect the hypothalamus (this part of the brain functions in temperature regulation) and make it sensitive to even the smallest changes in body temperature. As a result, the hypothalamus faces problems in regulating body temperature, leading to sudden flashes of heat. To cool it down, our body increases sweat production. Some other factors can also contribute to excessive sweating, such as stress, smoking, alcohol consumption, caffeine intake and excessive body weight (obesity). Family history of sweating during menopause can also contribute to excessive sweating. Women who have reached menopause at a young age and women with conditions such as diabetes and thyroid problems are also at high risk. In addition, taking certain medications, such as antidepressants, makes a woman prone to sweating during menopause.
Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathic medicines are very effective in controlling sweating during menopause. These medications are of natural origin and provide natural relief without side effects. These drugs gradually reduce the intensity and frequency of sweating episodes. Besides sweating, they also work in controlling other complaints that occur during menopause, such as weight gain, hair loss, facial pigmentation, facial hair growth, sadness, feeling depressed, low libido and vaginal dryness. The homeopathic medicines are prescribed in each individual case based on the characteristic symptoms. It is recommended to take any homeopathic medicine under the supervision of a homeopathic doctor, after a detailed case evaluation. It is recommended to avoid self-medication in any case.
Homeopathic medicines for sweating during menopause
1. Sepia – Leading medicine
Sepia is one of the top rated medicines for controlling excessive sweating during menopause. Females who require this experience complaints of sudden hot flashes and sweating. It is accompanied by weakness. A woman in menopause may faint. Sweating can occur even with mild exertion. It is also indicated for sweating that occurs especially at night on certain parts of the body such as chest, thighs and back. In addition, Sepia is also indicated for the treatment of other menopausal complaints such as sadness, irritability, depressed feeling, weight gain, hair loss, facial pigmentation, facial hair growth, low libido and vaginal dryness.
2. Lachesis – For flashes of heat with hot sweat
Lachesis is another very effective drug against sweating during menopause. It is indicated for hot flashes accompanied by hot sweating on the body. Females in need of this sweat excessively at night, waking them from sleep. The sweat is most pronounced on the neck when Lachesis is required. The sweat may have a garlicky odor. This medicine is also well indicated for other menopausal problems including headaches, palpitations, burning sensation on top of the head and insomnia.
3. Hepar Sulph – For cold sweats
This medicine is useful in cases of cold sweats during menopause. The sweat stinks. The sweat is noticed both during the day and at night. It may be accompanied by insomnia and restlessness at night. There is weakness due to excessive sweating. Sweating becomes worse with exertion.
4. Phosphoric Acid – For sweat, flashes of heat with dizziness
This medicine is well indicated in cases where sweating occurs with flashes of heat and is accompanied by dizziness (feeling as if the person is spinning around or things are spinning around). Sweat is profuse both at night and in the morning. It is accompanied by fear. Usually the neck and back of the head have excessive sweating. In most cases, weakness occurs with cold sweats.
5. Jaborandi – For sweat with palpitations
The next important medicine for controlling sweat during menopause is Jaborandi. In cases where this is necessary, sweating occurs on the whole body with palpitations. The sweat starts from the forehead and then spreads all over the body. It is most abundant on the legs, feet, upper chest and face. The sweating is worse at night in bed. Hot flashes are felt along with sweating.
6. Sulfuric acid – with shaking of the body
Sulfuric acid works well for flashes of heat followed by sweat and shaking all over the body. Excessive weakness is also felt. The sweating is most pronounced on the parts of the upper body where this medicine is needed. The sweat is cold and smells sour. Sweating occurs shortly after eating hot food. There is sweating at night, along with weakness.
7. Conium – For sweat all over the body with red face
This medicine is indicated when there is sweating all over the body with marked redness of the face. There is heat and sweat at the same time. Sweating occurs day and night. Sweat has an unpleasant odor. Sweating is most intense on the limbs and genitals.
8. Strontium Carb – For excessive sweating at night
This medicine is useful if excessive sweating occurs at night. In addition, there are clear heat flashes. There is obvious redness on the face with burning heat in cases that require it. The redness and heat in the face become worse with exertion. Itching can also occur on the face.
9. Ferrum Met – For sweat on the lower body
Ferrum Met is recommended for sweating on the lower body. Headache may occur before sweating. The sweat can turn the clothes yellow. The sweat has a strong and foul-smelling odor. Nausea may occur along with sweating. The sweat is accompanied by excessive weakness.
10. China Officinalis – For night sweats with weakness
China Officinalis is a very useful medicine to treat night sweats with marked weakness. Sweating follows even the slightest physical activity. Sweating mainly occurs during sleep. Sweat is usually oily in nature.