Medical Oncologist
Periods, menopause and hormones
Hot flushes and night sweats: what helps
Hot flushes and night sweats are among the most disruptive effects of treatment-induced menopause and hormone treatments. Layered cotton clothing, a cool bedroom, avoiding triggers like spicy food, hot drinks and alcohol, and relaxation techniques help many people. When flushes are severe, your team can discuss non-hormonal medical options that are safe with your cancer.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Naresh GunduConsultant Medical Oncologist · MBBS, DNB (Internal Medicine), DM (Medical Oncology, AIIMS) · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
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The short answer
What actually helps hot flushes and night sweats after cancer treatment?
A combination of practical changes helps most people, and medical options can be added when flushes are severe. Hot flushes happen because falling oestrogen makes the brain's temperature control more sensitive, so small triggers set off sudden waves of heat and sweating. They are common after treatment-induced menopause and with hormone-blocking treatments, and can be worse in hot, humid weather. Night sweats disturb sleep, and poor sleep then worsens tiredness, mood and concentration, so easing flushes often improves daily life far beyond the flushes themselves.
The most useful everyday steps are keeping cool with layered, loose cotton clothing, fans and cool drinks; noticing and reducing triggers such as spicy food, hot drinks, caffeine, alcohol and stress; keeping the bedroom cool and ventilated with light bedding; staying active; keeping a healthy weight; and stopping smoking. Slow, paced breathing when a flush starts, and structured talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy, reduce how much flushes bother people. When these are not enough, doctors can consider non-hormonal medicines that reduce flushes. Hormone treatment is usually avoided after hormone-sensitive cancers, and any medical option must be chosen with your oncologist, as some interact with cancer treatments.
Track your flushes
A simple diary of when flushes happen and what came before helps you spot triggers and shows your team how severe they are.
Some supplements are unsafe
Herbal products marketed for menopause may contain plant hormones or interact with treatment. Ask before using any.
Flushes often ease with time
For many women they become less frequent and less intense over time, though they can last longer on hormone-blocking treatment.
If flushes or night sweats are affecting sleep, work or mood, tell your team. Effective help exists.What relieves them
Approaches that help, from simple to medical
- Clothing
- Loose cotton or linen in layers that can be removed quickly. Avoid synthetic fabrics and tight collars.
- Cooling
- A fan, cool drinks, a damp cloth on the neck or wrists, and a cool, ventilated room, especially at night.
- Diet and drinks
- Reduce spicy food, very hot drinks, caffeine and alcohol if they trigger flushes. Eat regular balanced meals.
- Breathing and relaxation
- Slow, deep breathing at the start of a flush, and daily relaxation or meditation, reduce intensity and distress.
- Talking therapies
- Cognitive behavioural therapy has good evidence for reducing the impact of flushes and improving sleep.
- Non-hormonal medicines
- Some medicines used for other conditions can reduce flushes. Your oncologist will check they are safe with your treatment.
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistPractical
Getting better sleep with night sweats
Small changes to the bedroom and routine.
Set up a cool bedroom
Open windows or use a fan or cooler, and keep curtains closed during the hottest part of the day.
Keep nearby
- A glass of cool water
- A spare cotton nightdress
Choose light bedding
Use cotton sheets and layers you can push off easily, rather than a heavy quilt.
Wind down before bed
Avoid heavy meals, alcohol and screens late in the evening, and try a relaxing routine.
Try
- A lukewarm shower
- Slow breathing in bed
Handle waking calmly
If woken by a sweat, cool down, change if needed, and use breathing to settle back to sleep.
Talk to your partner
Separate light covers or a fan on your side can help both of you sleep better.
!
Contact your team promptly for any of these
Night sweats with fever, shivering or feeling unwell · drenching sweats with unexplained weight loss · sweats with new lumps or swelling · a racing or irregular heartbeat with flushes · chest pain or breathlessness · feeling hopeless or thinking of harming yourself. Seek same-day advice, and emergency care for chest pain, fever during treatment or thoughts of self-harm.
Being straight with you
What this page cannot tell you
It cannot tell you which medicine, if any, is right for your flushes. Some non-hormonal medicines interact with certain cancer treatments, and hormone treatment is unsuitable after some cancers. Your oncologist needs to guide these choices.
It also cannot tell you whether your sweats are caused by menopause. Night sweats can also be caused by infection, some medicines, thyroid problems or the cancer itself, so new or unusual sweats should be reported.
Acupuncture and yoga
Some people find acupuncture, yoga or tai chi helpful for flushes and wellbeing. Tell your team before starting, especially if counts are low.
Weight and flushes
Carrying extra weight can make flushes more frequent. Gentle activity and balanced eating help.
Work and public places
Keep a small fan, a water bottle and a spare layer at work. Sitting near a window or air vent helps.
Men can have flushes too
Men having hormone treatment for prostate cancer often get flushes. Similar steps help.
Emotional impact
Frequent flushes can be embarrassing and exhausting. Talking about it with your team and family helps.
Stress makes flushes worse
Relaxation, counselling and regular routines can reduce stress-triggered flushes.
Check any new supplement
Always check with your team or pharmacist before trying products for menopause.
Be patient with change
It can take a few weeks to notice the effect of changes. Keep going with what helps.
A simple routine for a flush
When a flush begins, many women find it helps to stop what they are doing if possible, loosen or remove a layer, sip a cool drink and breathe slowly in through the nose and out through the mouth for a minute or two. Reminding yourself that the flush will pass within minutes can reduce the panic that sometimes makes it feel worse. Over time, practising slow breathing daily, not only during flushes, seems to make the technique work better when it is needed.
Flushes at work and in public
Flushes in meetings, on buses or at family functions can feel embarrassing. Carrying a small fan, a water bottle and a light scarf or dupatta that can be removed, choosing seats near windows or fans, and explaining briefly to a trusted colleague or relative can make these situations easier. Most people around you notice far less than you might think.
Why medicines are chosen carefully
Some medicines that reduce flushes can interact with certain cancer treatments, including some hormone-blocking tablets, or cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness or dry mouth. That is why your oncologist checks your full medicine list before suggesting one, and may start with a low dose and review how you are managing.
What to do next
Keep a flush diary, dress in cool layers, reduce triggers, keep your bedroom cool, try paced breathing and relaxation, avoid unapproved supplements, and ask your team about talking therapies or safe medical options if flushes are affecting your life.
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Commonly believed
Four beliefs about hot flushes
"Only hormones can stop hot flushes."
Practical changes, talking therapies and non-hormonal medicines help many people.
"Natural menopause supplements are always safe."
Some contain plant hormones or interact with cancer treatment. Ask first.
"Night sweats are always menopause."
They can also signal infection or other problems. Report new or unusual sweats.
"Nothing can be done, so I should not complain."
Flushes affect sleep, mood and work. Asking for help is reasonable.
Questions we are asked
Common questions about hot flushes and night sweats
What relieves hot flushes after chemotherapy?
Cool layered clothing, fans and cool drinks, avoiding triggers, paced breathing, exercise, talking therapies and sometimes non-hormonal medicines.
Are there non-hormonal options?
Yes. Some medicines used for other conditions reduce flushes. Your oncologist will check which are safe for you.
Do diet and clothing make a difference?
Yes. Avoiding spicy food, hot drinks, caffeine and alcohol, and wearing loose cotton layers, helps many people.
How can I sleep better with night sweats?
Keep the bedroom cool, use light cotton bedding, keep water and a spare nightdress nearby, and use slow breathing when woken.
Can I take hormone replacement for flushes?
It depends on your cancer and is usually avoided after hormone-sensitive cancers. Ask your oncologist.
Are herbal remedies safe?
Not always. Some contain plant hormones or interact with treatment. Check first.
Will hot flushes go away?
They often ease over time, but may last longer with hormone-blocking treatment.
When should night sweats worry me?
When they come with fever, weight loss, new lumps or feeling unwell. Report them promptly.
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Sources
- Breast Cancer Now — Menopausal symptoms and breast cancer
- Macmillan Cancer Support — Early menopause and cancer treatment
- NHS — Menopause
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
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