Determining the root cause of many common symptoms, like night sweats, can be challenging.
Over the years, I have had many fitness clients who battle low testosterone also report having night sweats.
I began to wonder if the two were more closely related than I thought, so I sought out a medical colleague for a chat and did several hours of research to see if there was indeed a link between low T levels and night sweats.
Read on to learn what I found.
Quick Summary
- A hormonal imbalance, like low testosterone, can cause men and women to experience night sweats.
- Testosterone replacement therapy may help those who experience night sweats raise testosterone levels while simultaneously reducing night sweats.
- There are several other medical conditions that can cause night sweats in men and women.
Is There a Connection Between Low T and Night Sweats?
There is a connection between low T and night sweats, much like a hormonal imbalance during menopause in women causes hot flashes.
Blood tests can detect hormone imbalances.
So, if your doctor determines that low testosterone levels are the underlying problem, they may suggest testosterone replacement therapy to replenish levels and reduce sweating at night, among other things.
Let’s take a closer look at night sweats.
What Are Night Sweats?
Night sweats are repeated episodes of heavy sweating during sleep that might soak the bedding and sleepwear and is usually a symptom of an underlying condition [1].
The hypothalamus is a small area of the brain that produces hormones that control the body’s essential functions, including body temperature, mood, hunger, sleep, and sex drive [2].
When your body temperature rises, the hypothalamus sends a signal that alerts sweat glands to produce sweat that evaporates and cools the body.
The hypothalamus is a critical component of the hormone system and the body’s temperature control. Low T can disrupt the signaling of the hypothalamus regarding internal temperature and lead to night sweats.
“Night sweats” is a term for sweating during the night to the point that it soaks your pajamas or sheets. Hot flashes and night sweats are often linked to hormonal imbalances among women, especially during menopause. But men can experience hot flashes and night sweats too.
- Kristeen Cherney, PhD
What is Considered a Low Testosterone Level?
Anything below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) is considered a low testosterone level for men by the American Urology Association (AUA). For women, it’s anything under 25 ng/dL.
However, some doctors and researchers believe less than 250 ng/dL to be low for male adults. Many also take into consideration any additional symptoms when making the diagnosis [3].
Low testosterone levels or hypogonadism is a common condition affecting people of all ages and genders.
When the body is not producing enough testosterone, people usually experience a wide range of physiological and physiological symptoms [4].
For men, this includes:
- Night sweats
- Low libido
- Disrupted sleep
- Sexual dysfunction
- Decreased muscle mass
- Loss of body hair
- Shrinking testicles
- Low sperm count
- Mood changes
For women, this includes:
- Hair loss
- Thinning or dry skin
- Trouble sleeping
- Reduced muscle tone
- Weight gain
- Infertility
- Irregular menstrual cycle
Should You Be Concerned?
You should be concerned if you experience more than occasional night sweats that result in sleep deprivation, especially if you are experiencing other symptoms.
Schedule an office visit with your doctor so they can evaluate your symptoms and discuss any medical conditions like low testosterone levels or obstructive sleep apnea to implement a treatment plan.
Related Articles:
- Does Low Testosterone Make You Angry
- Can Low Testosterone Cause Dizziness
- Can Low Testosterone Cause Cold Intolerance
How Low T is Treated
Testosterone replacement therapy under the supervision of your doctor is a common way to increase low testosterone levels.
If you are looking for a natural alternative to testosterone replacement therapy and to reduce any night sweats you are experiencing, there are a few things you can try [5].
They include:
- Exercise, particularly weightlifting
- Minimize stress
- A consistent diet of healthy fats, carbs, and proteins
- Increase vitamin D through sun exposure or supplements
- Supplements, specifically ones formulated to boost testosterone
Other Causes
Various underlying medical conditions or drug interactions can trigger night sweats in men and women that have nothing to do with low testosterone levels [6].
These conditions include:
- Anxiety disorders
- Untreated sleep apnea
- Autoimmune disorder
- Overactive thyroid
- HIV/AIDS
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Hodgkin’s disease)
- Leukemia
- Menopause
- Sleep disorder
- Stroke
- Thyroid disease
- Consuming too much alcohol
- Substance abuse
- Other chronic diseases
Medications include:
- Antidepressants
- Hormone therapy
- Methadone
- Drugs to treat low blood sugar
Your doctor can best evaluate your excessive sweating and other symptoms you may have to determine the exact underlying cause.
Tips to Reduce Night Sweats
Night sweating can keep you from getting a good night’s sleep. Here are some tips to keep you from compounding your struggles with sleep deprivation.
Environmental tips:
- Avoid too many blankets: Layering lightweight bedding can help you remove layers as necessary.
- Consider cooling pillows: Many pillows and mattress pads contain cooling gels that can help you regulate body temperature.
- Keep the room cool: Sleep with a fan, use an air conditioner, or open a window to help moderate body temperature.
- Use an ice pack: Putting an ice pack under your pillow and flipping it over to lay your head on the cool side can be refreshing.
Additionally, there are lifestyle changes you can make to reduce the occurrence of night sweats.
You can try the following:
- Shedding excess weight: Being overweight can contribute to night sweats in men and women. Weight loss can help with any hormonal imbalance and night sweats and benefit your overall health [7].
- Dietary changes: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods, particularly in the evening, as these foods can raise body temperature and cause sweating.
- Drink cool water: Drinking cool water just before bedtime can help cool body temperature internally.
- Relax before bedtime: Deep breathing exercises or meditation may make falling asleep easier. Studies in menopausal women show controlled breathing may help hot flashes, so perhaps it could be a valuable technique for anyone experiencing night sweats [8].
- Try natural testosterone boosters: These supplements use natural ingredients to stimulate your production of testosterone and help you reach optimal hormonal balance.
FAQs
Are Night Sweats a Red Flag?
Night sweats can be a red flag or a warning for common infections, more severe illnesses, hormonal imbalances, reactions to prescription drugs, or other underlying conditions. It is always best to consult your doctor if you are concerned.
What Are the Warning Signs of Low Testosterone?
Some warning signs of low testosterone include decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, depression, muscle mass, increased body fat, hair loss, chronic fatigue, and, as discussed earlier, frequent night sweats.
So, Does Low Testosterone Cause Night Sweats?
Low T affects men and women and can cause night sweats, but I always advise my clients to try a natural solution to raise testosterone levels instead of jumping right into testosterone therapy.
Natural testosterone-boosting supplements can help replenish testosterone levels, improve sleep quality, improve body composition, jumpstart sex drive and treat night sweats.
We’ve put countless products through our strict testing process to find the best ones for both men and women.
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References:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/night-sweats/basics/definition/sym-20050768
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002380.htm#:~:text=The%20hypothalamus%20is%20an%20area,Mood
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15603-low-testosterone-male-hypogonadism
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000722.htm
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-ways-to-boost-testosterone#exercise
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/night-sweats/basics/causes/sym-20050768
- https://www.medicinenet.com/excessive_sweating_night_sweats_and_overweight/multisymptoms.htm
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16414337/
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