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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What could cause day/night sweats and hot flushes ALL DAY?

    Related Topics
    Dizziness & Vertigo Endocrinology Hyperthyroidism
    I am getting day/ night sweats as well as hot flushes (all day) I also have dizziness/fuzziness in the head, feeling sick in tummy,bones and muscles ache all the time,can,t sleep at night,tired all the time,when I get the dizzy/fuzzy feelings I get weak all over and feel like I am going to pass out,it is scary.I have no sex drive,I have all 34 menopause symptoms and 100.x .I am going out of my mind I just want to feel NORMAL again. PLEASE HELP" Does anyone else suffer all these symptoms? JenM.
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    Women's Health Queensland Wide

    Women's Health Queensland Wide provides free health information for Queensland women. View Profile

    You certainly sound as if you are having a difficult time.
    I encourage you read this fact sheet. It  provides information and steps that you can incorporate into your life to help manage your symptoms.
    just click on the link
    http://www.womhealth.org.au/conditions-and-treatments/213-menopause

    Also it is important to see a Dr. with an interest/experience in Women's Health. Your general health needs to be reviewed just to make sure there are no other factors at play here.
    Brenda
    Women’s Health Educator
    Health Information Line, Women’s Health Queensland Wide
     
    Women living in Queensland can also call our Health Information Line - a free information and referral service for Queensland women - on 3839 9988 or 1800 017 676 (toll free outside Brisbane).
     
    Please note that all health information provided by Women’s Health Queensland Wide is subject to this disclaimer
     

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    Dr Dick Beatty

    GP (General Practitioner)

    Dr Dick Beatty is a Full Time Vasectomist - operating across locations in South East Queensland, including Greenslopes Private Hospital. View Profile

    The medical term for excessive sweating is hyperhidrosis. Broadly speaking, the causes will either be “no cause” (primary hyperhidrosis) or a specific cause (secondary hyperhidrosis). The primary type usually starts in childhood or adolescence and is quite easy to diagnose in someone whose had it for a few years … this can be really embarrassing for patients but there are effective treatments (iontophoresis works well for hands or feet for example).

    The secondary type might start in the years leading up to the menopause. When the periods are still regular, though, it could be another cause and it might then be worth doing a blood test to check the hormone levels (the blood test is not perfect but does give a good idea, particularly FSH on day 3). On the other hand, not all doctors would arrange blood tests - for example, if the sweats are described as a sudden onset of heat in the face and upper chest that becomes more general then women in their late 40's or early 50's (or who have come off HRT) can be fairly sure it is menopausal.

    Now the other common cause is medication (SSRI's for depression, anti inflammatories), and sometimes an overactive thyroid can present with sweats.

    Then there are the rare causes - they really are rare compared to the previous list, but any concerns can be addressed by blood tests. Such rare causes include infections, lymphoma and even endocrinological conditions such as phaeochromocytoma and carcinoid syndrome - though having said that, these conditions do need to be considered. But remember, around 1 in 30 people have these symptoms and I have tested hundreds of patients for these conditions but have not come across one case. Few GP's will ever see a case of carcinoid syndrome in their working life.
    Lymphoma is one most people think of but it is relatively uncommon and more often gives other symptoms; a GP can rule this out with a blood test and examination.

    To conclude, excessive sweating is normally primary hyperhidrosis, or caused by hormonal changes leading up to the menopause, medications, and occasionally an overactive thyroid; lymphoma is very uncommon and the other causes even more so. There are other causes not mentioned but these are normally obvious (such as someone with known Parkinson's disease or diabetic neuropathy)

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    Dr Carolyn Ee

    Acupuncturist, GP (General Practitioner)

    I'm a Sydney GP with a special interest in women's health especially menopause and TTC ( trying to conceive). I specialise in acupuncture, and am … View Profile

    Hi there, have you seen a GP about your symptoms? Many of the symptoms attributed to menopause are nonspecific eg dizziness, and may be due to other causes. I would suggest a long consultation in order to get a full and detailed history of your symptoms, an examination, and tests as thought appropriate by your GP. If it's due to menopause, you are NOT alone! Many women feel the way you do and it can be debilitating, but there is help - start with your GP and the resources mentioned above by Women's Health QLD.

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