While responding to emails concerning my night sweats in men article, I realized andropause is a more common concern among men than I had previously thought. While the term andropause remains somewhat controversial in the medical community, it appears to have become accepted and used among laymen, especially in Europe and Australia.
But I also think it is important for men to realize andropause symptoms — though perhaps not andropause itself — can occur at any age starting with adolescence. These symptoms simply represent fluctuations in testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and estrogen, so in addressing night sweats in men under 30 I will address the different reasons men under 30 might have triggered these hormonal fluctuations.
Exercise and Night Sweats
When you exercise intensely — especially when you haven’t exercised in a while or if you are completely new to it — your body produces a number of hormones in greater amounts. While regular production of these hormones is healthy, when your body suddenly experiences a sudden increase in these hormones, it tends to confuse your hypothalamus, your brain’s thermostat. In general, the night sweats in men under 30 caused by this intense exercise will subside once you settle into a regular exercise routine. But if you start and stop your exercise routine in fits, this could be the cause of your sweating while sleeping.
In the opposite direction, complete lack of exercise will cause your body to produce too few hormones, in particular testosterone. If you continue to be a couch potato for a few years, you may induce night sweats as symptom of an andropause disorder.
Fluctuations In Libido
Anything that causes a fluctuation in libido may also cause hormonal fluctuations, including sexual activity itself. Much like exercise, regular sexual activity is best for maintaining a healthy and regular hormonal balance. Believe it or not, both a lack of sexual activity and too much in a short amount of time can cause peaks and valleys of hormone changes, which in turn can result in night sweats.
Diet Causes Night Sweating In Men of Any Age
No matter how old or young you are, if you eat a ton of high fat foods and a ton of spicy foods, you could trigger night sweats. This is particularly true if you consume these foods too close to bedtime. So don’t set a digestive fire before bed. If you love spicy foods and you’re struggling with night sweats, try to enjoy those jalapenos for lunch rather than for dinner. In general, you don’t want to eat anything too close to bedtime.
The night sweats alcohol causes can also occur to men of any age, and not just in cases of alcohol withdrawal. So if you are concerned about perspiring too much when you sleep, then I recommend you ease off the alcoholic beverages until you have your sweating at night under control. Read more about this phenomenon: Night Sweats and Alcohol.
Night Sweats and Stress
If you are constantly stressed or worried, your adrenal glands may produce excess glucocorticoids (like cortisol). This basically simulates the “fight or flight” instinct when it isn’t necessary. This triggers a domino effect of hormonal fluctuations, which in turn wreak havoc on your hypothalamus.
Because your hypothalamus is largely a hormone-mediated thermostat, when you confuse it with constant stress, it may trigger your body to experience rapid heating and cooling. The night sweats stress induces can be frustrating because when stress is the source, it doesn’t help to experience a physical symptom that often triggers further anxiety.
Besides addressing the circumstances causing your underlying stress, I encourage you to explore night sweats treatment so that your sweating at night doesn’t exacerbate your already stressed state. A lack of sleep can contribute to more stress, so this can become a vicious cycle.
Additional Causes of Night Sweats In Men Under 30
Just because you are young doesn’t mean many of the other causes of night sweats are not possible. I suggest you review the home page of Night Sweats or my Night Sweats Causes page for more details, but in short here are a few other causes of night sweats in men under 30:
- Acid Reflux
- Cancer, in particular Lymphoma or Leukemia
- Diabetes
- Endocarditis (Heart Inflammation)
- Environmental – Room temperature, lack of air circulation or excessively heavy blankets.
- Fibromyalgia
- HIV or AIDS
- Hypogonadism
- Idiopathic Hyperhidrosis
- Infections or Infectious Diseases, in particular Tuberculosis
- Obesity
- Side-Effects of Medications
- Thyroiditis or Hyperthyroidism
- Urinary Tract Infection
Don’t panic when you read this list. In a majority of cases where patients complain about night sweating, there is usually a relatively simple and benign explanation. However, if your night sweats persist and they are really bothering you, I encourage you to consult your doctor. Don’t try to diagnose yourself on the Internet. If there is an underlying medical concern, you need to have it addressed by a medical professional right away.
I hope this provided you useful guidance on why night sweats in men under 30 can occur and how you might address this uncomfortable condition. Try to stay poised and calm as you address them, as feeling anxious about their possible cause will only make it more difficult to get the healthy, restful sleep you need.