--- title: "Night sweats: When to See a GP | HealthAnswers" description: "Night sweats are drenching sweats that soak your bedding, most often caused by menopause or infection; see a GP if they persist or come with weight loss." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/night-sweats/ robots: noindex --- # Night sweats: When to See a GP | HealthAnswers Symptoms Night sweats are drenching sweats that soak your bedding, most often caused by menopause or infection; see a GP if they persist or come with weight loss. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What could night sweats mean? Night sweats are drenching sweats during sleep that soak your nightclothes or bedding, and they are common during the menopause and with infections. They often settle once the underlying cause is treated. Night sweats with unexplained weight loss, fever or swollen glands need a GP assessment to rule out serious conditions. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Night sweats, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 4 sections ## Common causes of night sweats - Menopause and perimenopause are very common causes of night sweats in women. - Infections including TB and HIV can cause night sweats. - Some medicines and alcohol can trigger sweating at night. - Lymphoma and other cancers may present with night sweats — but are less common. - Keeping the bedroom cool and wearing breathable nightclothes can reduce sweating. ## Understanding night sweats Night sweats are episodes of heavy sweating during sleep that soak your nightclothes or bedding. Occasional sweating on a hot night is normal and nothing to worry about. Repeated drenching sweats, especially when they come with other symptoms, should be discussed with a GP. ## Common causes of night sweats **Menopause** is the leading cause of night sweats in women aged 40–55. Infections — including **TB**, **HIV** and endocarditis — can also cause sweating at night. Medicines such as antidepressants and steroids, **alcohol** and **anxiety** are other common triggers. Rarely, **lymphoma** or another cancer presents with night sweats. ## Self-care for night sweats Keeping the bedroom cool, using light bedding and avoiding alcohol and spicy food before bed can all help reduce sweating at night. If your night sweats are related to the menopause and they are affecting your sleep or quality of life, discuss HRT or non-hormonal options with a GP. ## When to see a GP about night sweats See a GP if you have regular night sweats that last for more than a few weeks, especially if they come with weight loss, persistent fever, a cough or swollen glands. Blood tests and imaging may be needed to identify a treatable underlying cause. ## ! When to get medical help for night sweats See a GP if night sweats occur regularly for more than a few weeks, or with unexplained weight loss, fever, fatigue or swollen glands. Call **111** for urgent advice when you are unsure what to do. ## Common questions about night sweats Are night sweats normal in menopause? Yes — hot flushes and night sweats affect most women during menopause. Hormone replacement therapy or lifestyle measures can help if symptoms are troublesome. Can anxiety cause night sweats? Yes — nightmares, panic attacks and anxiety can all cause sweating at night. Treating the underlying mental health problem and improving sleep hygiene may reduce episodes. When should I worry about night sweats? Persistent drenching night sweats that come with weight loss, fever, cough or swollen lymph nodes need investigation. Infections and blood disorders are among the causes doctors check for. Do certain foods cause night sweats? Alcohol, spicy food and caffeine before bed can worsen sweating at night. Reducing these and keeping the bedroom cool may help. ## Sources - [NHS — Night Sweats](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/night-sweats) - [NHS — Menopause](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause)