Common menopause symptoms like night sweats can affect how well you sleep at night. It's normal to sweat during the night if the room or your bedding is making you too hot but for women in peri-menopause or menopause, symptoms (often referred to as a hot flash) can be extremely uncomfortable. A hot flash is a sudden feeling of warmth in your upper body, often followed by sweating. They are known as night sweats when they happen at night and are a common symptom of menopause. For many women, the sweats are so bad they need to change the sheets in the middle of the night.
According to nutritionist Thalia Pellegrini, who works a lot with women going through the menopause, “a hot flash can occur because as we go through perimenopause, our oestrogen levels rise and fall. When oestrogen drops, there can be an impact on our thermoregulation which can lead to night sweats or just a rise in body temperature at night that can disrupt sleep.” And when it comes to helping her clients navigate hot flashes, she always recommends they “wear breathable fabrics like cotton and linen to make sleep more comfortable.”
And that’s why swapping your normal nightwear for “menopause-friendly” ones is the best step to keeping cool when you are feeling hot. Whilst there are some brands that specialise in menopause clothing (a few of which I have mentioned below), there is other nightwear suitable from the high street brands; it’s just a matter of looking for ones with the right fabric. And I’ve done the research to help you know which ones I recommend in my guide.
“The best fabrics to wear for ensuring comfort during the menopause are natural, breathable and soft ones,” explains personal stylist Lindsay Edwards. “Look for nightwear made from cotton, linen, silk or bamboo which are excellent choices, thanks to their breathable qualities. These fabrics absorb heat and wick away moisture, regulating the bodies temperature.”
In agreement is Stefanie Daniels, who runs the menopause website called Life Begins at Menopause. “Always choose natural fabrics, rather than synthetic, as they will keep you cool for longer and won’t stick to the skin when it gets sweaty,” she explains. “One of the best fabrics is moisture-wicking ones which work by removing the damp and moisture from your skin and are far more breathable.” And when it comes to the style of nightwear, she adds: “Look for outfits with loose-fitting fabrics that skim the body, rather than cling to it.”
As someone who started going through menopause last year, I have experienced hot flashes and know how uncomfortable they are. Fortunately, going on HRT has meant they are few and far between these days but that’s not to say I don’t wake up in a sweat at least once a week. I can only describe it as unpleasant, plus – like many menopausal women – a hot flash in the middle of the night makes it difficult for me to fall back to sleep.
If, like me, you get an occasional hot flash at night, or are experiencing them regularly, we've put together a list of the best nightwear to wear during the menopause. Here are some of my favourite pyjamas, nighties, shorts and tops to shop now.
Best nightwear to keep you cool and comfortable during the menopause at a glance
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Best overall menopause nightwear: WUKA Pyjama Jersey Set - Buy now on WUKA
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Most fashionable menopause nightwear: Stripe and Stare Midnight Bow Long Pyjama Set - Buy now on Stripe&Stare
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The best budget buy menopause nightwear: Primark Menopause Sleeveless Nightdress - Buy now on Primark
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The best cotton pyjama bottoms to wear in menopause: M&S Cool Comfort™ Striped Pyjama Set - Buy now on M&S
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The best wardrobe staple to wear in menopause: Fifty one apparel Susie Scoop Neck - Buy now on Fifty One Apparel
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The most comfortable pyjama bottoms to wear in menopause: Peachaus Chicory striped ethical-cotton trousers - Buy now on Peachaus
Best nightwear to keep you cool
This black top and shorts set ticks all the right boxes in being fashionable, comfortable and totally sweat-proof! It feels so soft against the skin, I even wear it as daywear if I’m lounging around the house.
Recently launched by WUKA, the brand infamous for its period pants, it says that its new collection of pyjamas are “designed to counter hot flashes, night sweats, and disrupted sleep, cooling body temperatures by up to 2.5 degrees.” And, having worn this set on and off for the past two weeks, I have to agree this is the case. With my bedroom being in the loft, it can get quite stuffy, and these pyjamas have a clever Freshtech™ technology that helps to regulate body temperature so you feel cool at night. When I wear these I don’t need to sleep with the window open or kick off my duvet which I often do in the night. I love the soft, moisture-wicking Lyocell fabric, often referred to as “plant silk”, which feels so nice against the skin. It’s also eco-friendly which is a huge bonus.
One customer described these as “being like a second skin,” and that’s exactly how they feel. The gaps in the upper arms of the top and the width of the shorts make the set super breathable too. What’s more the nightwear has the trustworthy MTick, the go-to shopping symbol created by GenM, that partners with brands that offer menopause-friendly products.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Generous sizing options from small up to extra large
Cons
- Only available in black
Stripe & Stare are my go to for underwear as I love the sustainable brand that uses a 95% biodegradable fabric made from trees. And I have to include these pyjamas in my guide as they feel as gorgeous against the skin as the Stripe & Stare knickers that I wear, with the fabric so lightweight and smooth on the skin, you almost feel as though you have nothing on. And that’s important, particularly as a hot flash makes you feel as though you just want to rip all your clothes off. With the TENCEL™ Modal x Micro material proven to be more than twice as soft as cotton, these pyjamas are so breathable that when I did sweat naturally at night due to my room being hot, it didn’t stick to the clothing.
In the words of one reviewer: “I am obsessed with these pyjamas. They’re super smooth, keep me warm but cool enough so I’m not sweating at night, wash well, and just all round are AMAZING.” And they have to take the top spot as the most fashionable menopause nightwear as the design is stunning. I love the combination of navy and pink and the bow pattern woven in makes them so feminine and pretty. I’m not surprised there are nearly 500 five star reviews about these pyjamas; I’m living in mine!
Pros
- Sizing from a size 6 up to a 22
- Pyjamas come in ten different colours
Cons
- On the expensive side
It is good to see Primark has a menopause clothing range, albeit small. That said, this nightdress is a perfect choice if you suffer from regular hot flashes, as it washes well without losing shape and can be worn on repeat. Made from a lightweight, soft touch and body temperature control fabric, I found I stayed cool at night when I wore this as the material feels barely there. As mentioned at the start of this article by Stefanie Daniels, who runs the menopause website called Life Begins at Menopause, one of the best fabrics is moisture-wicking ones which work by removing the damp and moisture from your skin and are far more breathable. And this fabric is wicking and quick dry so is a great bargain buy and a good wardrobe staple for bedtime. I liked the V-neck design and short style of this nightdress which allows for extra air flow.
Pros
- Has the Primark Cares stamp which means it is made using recycled plastic
Cons
- Not as aesthetically pleasing as other nightwear
Cotton is one of the most breathable fabrics and is an ideal material for women to wear in menopause. It allows air to circulate, keeping the body cool, and absorbs moisture, preventing discomfort caused by night sweats. Although this comes as a set, I want to highlight the pyjama bottoms as they are 100 per cent cotton which is quite rare (most pyjamas I own are a mix of cotton/polyester) – making them my go to when it comes to sleepwear.
The pyjama bottoms feel really soft against the skin and the stripes are flattering, helping elongate my 5ft 3 frame. Made with the M&S Cool Comfort™ fabric that draws moisture away from the body, I find these don’t make me feel hot in bed and if I do sweat the material does not cling to my body.
“I love these pyjamas. Great quality and really comfy,” wrote one user. And I agree as I’ve washed these loads and they always maintain their shape and quality. I also love the fact they have a pocket which may not be necessary for sleeping but have proven useful for me to tuck my phone in on the way up to bed if I am carrying a hot drink in my hands.
Pros
- Customers say fits true to size
- Comes in sizes 6 up to 22
Cons
- The pyjama top is lovely but it does have 15 per cent polyester in it so may not be suitable for women who suffer from regular night sweats
The best wardrobe staple to wear in menopause
Yoursfiftyoneapparel.com
I love a multi-tasking product and this is just the thing as I wear it as a T-shirt but it also doubles up as a pyjama top for bed. This clothing brand designed for menopausal women uses climate controlled technology proven to cool down your body temperature. This T-shirt (which comes in a V-neck and scoop neck) keeps you cool as the fabric is made from cellulosic yarns which are commonly used in the production of clothing due to their softness and comfort against the skin. They are also absorbent, making them ideal for use in clothing that is designed to wick moisture away from the body. And even though this top fits snug and hugs the body, at no point has it felt as though the material stuck to my body; in fact when I was aware I had sweated a bit in the night it seemed to absorb it without feeling uncomfortable.
The five star reviews of the top speak for themselves, with one user writing: “Amazing fabric and well-made top, had a great night’s sleep so thanks very much fifty one apparel! I will be coming back for more.” And another fan adding: “I have been working in Asia for a week in 20 degree temps and the Suzie scoop has been perfect. As someone who has battled with hot flushes and many other unwelcome symptoms I am so grateful to have this tee. Flattering shape, soft to the touch but most of all keeping me cool. I will be buying lots more.”
Pros
- Comes in three colours
Cons
- At the time of writing some of the larger sizes were sold out
Comfort is everything when it comes to fashion, but more important than ever with nightwear as it can help promote a good night’s sleep. And there’s many reasons why these pyjamas are to me the most comfortable ones to wear in menopause. For starters, they are made from ethical-cotton which makes it a soft and breathable fabric so if you do have a hot flash the sweat will not drench through the material. I also like the fact the pyjama bottoms are quite baggy so there is better air circulation. Unlike synthetic fabrics like polyester, which can trap heat and exacerbate hot flashes, this type of cotton is cooling on the body. It is also hypoallergenic which means the fabric has a natural ventilation function.
And they have an elasticated smocked waistband which, as any menopausal woman will know, is a joy as, if like me, you sometimes feel bloated, you don’t want clothes to feel tight at the waist. According to fashion stylist Lindsay Edwards nightwear made from ethical cotton like these pyjama bottoms are perfect for menopausal women. “Many women experience heightened skin sensitivity due to fluctuating hormone changes too, therefore it’s important that fabric fibres such as ethical cotton are soft-to-touch to avoid skin irritation,” she adds.
Pros
- 100 per cent cotton
- Comes in three colours
Cons
- None
Suzanne Baum is an award-winning beauty editor, with columns across numerous outlets, including the Metro, Women's Fitness, the Independent and Yahoo.