Is it normal to have night sweats a few days before a period. Has anyone had this ?

[erilou38]

I'm 38 and have been trying to conceive for 18 months. The past couple of years my periods have been irregular after always being very regular, every 28 days precisely. They now range from anywhere between 30 and 42 days and seem to be lighter and shorter. For the past few years i have been feeling hot at night in bed in the days before i get a period. Very recently though the warm feelings have got worse and seem to be full-blown night sweats. My bedsheets have actually been damp with me waking up dripping with sweat. I admit i have been feeling very stressed with this whole TTC issue and this is causing me to have panic attacks at night but never have i had night sweats like these. I'm terrified that at 38 i am going through an early menopause. Has anyone else had this happen ? What might cause this to happen in the lead up to a period if it isn't menopause ? Is it normal ?

[juneybean]

As far as I know your temperature rises after ovulation and remains high until your period.

[frankie4]

I have this (age 42) and went recently to my doctor. I had some hormone blood tests which showed that I was not starting my menopause. My doctor said to me that women can have menopause type symptoms for up to 10 years before the actual menopause, so I am sure that you have got many years more of periods yet! Go to the doctor to set your mind at rest though.

[justmuddlingalongsomehow]

I get this!! I'm 45.

[erilou38]

Yes, i heard that perimenopause can last for upto 10 years before the menopause! I believe i'm just starting it. I have had blood tests recently and my FSH is slightly elevated, (my body is having to work harder for my ovaries to produce an egg each month) so i know that my fertility has declined. Just hope i have a few good eggs left and that real menopause doesn't kick in anytime soon!

[erilou38]

Justmuddling, are you still having regular periods ?

[Pooka]

I've had this ever since i was about 18, so from 5 yrs after first period and for 21 years now.

My periods were regular and every 28 days until after I'd had dc1. Then regular ish and c. 35 day cycles until had dc2. Then regular again and 30 days post dc3 until now. They've become progressively heavier after each child.

Had poly cystic ovaries Pre dc1.

The sweats are horrible. Have had to change nightwear because drenched in sweat. I read though that it isn't unusual for temp to rise before period. At least I think I did. It's always been one of those things with me.

[erilou38]

That's reassuring then Pooka. Just that my night sweats only started 3 or 4 years ago. My consultant at the infertility clinic thinks i may have polycystic ovaries as i had 2 or 3 cysts with one of my cycles and my bloods were also abnormal. LH and E2 raised which is an indicator of PCOS. Didn't think that PCOS caused night sweats but my doctor said that it could so maybe it is the PCOS.

[erilou38]

God i wish i was pregnant!!

[Beckamaw]

I had this. Turned out that my thyroid was off kilter.
Would be worth getting some bloods done, just to check.

[Jacksmania]

I get this, and have done for a number of years now. I was told by my gynae that it happens because your progesterone levels are dropping too rapidly before the onset of your period. I also had fairly erratic, short cycles. My Dr prescribed progesterone, first as a cream, which didn't help much, and then capsules. I think 100 mg caps, which I take from cycle day 8 to CD 24. It took a few months to regulate things, but now it's great - regular 26-28 day cycles, and I might get mildly sweaty the night before my period starts.

[Jacksmania]

I should add - sorry - this may not help you much because I'm not in the U.K. and I don't know what U.K. protocols might be with respect to testing (my Dr did a salivary hormone panel up check things out) and prescriptions. But it might be worth asking about?

[erilou38]

My thyroid function is fine, my blood has been checked for that several times. I wondered if i'm lacking in progesterone perhaps, although my last day 28 blood test revealed that i had ovulated and progesterone was at a good level. Have bought some progesterone cream so will give that a try.