âBecause waking up in a puddle isnât just for toddlers anymore.â
Weâre all a little reluctant to talk about aging â especially when it starts creeping into the bedroom.
(And no, get your mind out of the gutter. Iâm talking about sleeping.)
Nobody enjoys waking up in a pool of sweat, making that 3 a.m. sprint to the loo, or lying wide-eyed in the dark while the sheep parade by for the fifth night in a row.
Menopause doesnât just change your hormones â it hijacks your sleep, your sheets, your temperature, and your patience.
But hereâs the good news: your bedding can actually help. No, seriously. There are simple, cozy swaps you can make to transform your bed from a furnace into a breezy, breathable haven.
Letâs talk about it â with humour, honesty, and maybe a little help from our woolly friends.
Menopause.
The word alone makes people shift in their seats â especially if youâre not part of a family that discusses bodily functions over dinner (ours does, sorry not sorry).
Itâs uncomfortable, a bit embarrassing, and often swept under the rug like a rogue tampon wrapper. But menopause is a natural evolution for all women â and if someone tells you itâs a walk in the park? Theyâre either genetically blessed or lying through their hormone-deprived teeth.
The good news? A few simple bedding upgrades can turn your bed into a breathable, sweat-friendly sanctuary that actually helps soothe hot flashes, night sweats, and those restless nights where youâd sell your soul for a breeze.
So go ahead â put those ovaries to rest, once and for all.
Here are some cheeky (but seriously helpful) bedding suggestions to help you sleep like your pre-menopausal self again:
Mattress Protector: The Unsung Hero of Your Bed
What you sleep on matters just as muchâif not moreâthan what you sleep under.
You could be rocking 100% linen sheets (a.k.a. the BeyoncĂŠ of breathable bedding), but if youâre lying on a polyester or vinyl-backed mattress protector? You might as well be napping on a sandwich bag.
Thatâs rightâyour hot flashes donât care how luxurious your sheets are if your mattress pad is trapping all that heat and moisture like a clingy ex.
Tip: Swap out synthetic or waterproof protectors for breathable, natural fibres. Or, if you’re stuck with a heat-trapping one because of a mattress warranty (we see you), layer a natural fibre pad on top to get that air flowing again.
Let It Breathe, Babe
The more airflow under you, the cooler and calmer youâll be.
A breathable mattress base = better sleep, fewer hot flashes, and less waking up in a full sweat puddle wondering what your life has become.
The problem?
Most modern mattresses come with vinyl or waterproof membranes that must stay on to keep your warranty intact. Makes sense for the manufacturer, but not for your poor overheating body.
Hot Tip:
If youâre stuck with that heat-trapping cover, layer a natural fibre protector or pad on top to get that airflow back. Boomâwarranty safe, menopause managed.
đŚ Waterproof & Incontinence Pads
Okay, letâs talk about the midnight sprint to the looâor the dreaded leak before you even make it. If your bladderâs got jokes or your periodâs acting like itâs auditioning for a comeback tour, these are for you.
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Use them to protect a specific area of your bed rather than the whole thing. Less coverage, more comfort.
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Tuck them under your fitted sheet so your sleep setup stays discreet.
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Add a breathable pad on top for extra coolingâespecially if your partner sleeps hot or cold and youâre trying to keep the peace.
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Bonus: Great for pet parents. You and Fluffy can both leak a little and still wake up besties. đśđž
Pee together, stay together.
đ§ş Cotton: The Laundry-Friendly Classic
Durable. Affordable. Breathable.
Cotton protectors are the OG of mattress protectionâsimple, effective, and totally wash-friendly (because letâs be real⌠menopausal nights can be messy).
If you’re the kind of person who doesnât mind tossing in an extra load (or has to thanks to midnight bladder betrayal), cottonâs your low-maintenance mate.
Hot Tip:
Go easy on the heat! Cotton loves to shrink if you crank the dryer. Air dry or go low ‘n slow to keep things fitting right.
Our faves?
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Triple-layer 100% cotton â breathable and structured, with a bit more protection between you and your mattress.
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Organic cotton â because your hormones are wild enough without adding chemicals into the mix.
đ Silk: The Cool, Calm & Collected One
Cooling, hypoallergenic, and a total pro at keeping you dry when your hormones are throwing a rager at 3 a.m.
Silk naturally draws moisture away from your skin, helping regulate body temperature and reduce those is it me or is the bed on fire moments. If your hot flashes are more like spontaneous combustion, silkâs here to cool the chaos.
And nope, you donât need to schlep to the dry cleaner. Ours is machine washableâjust treat it gently with a hang dry or low/no heat tumble to keep it in top shape.
Our fave?
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Silk protector with a 220-thread count cotton shell and natural long-strand silk fill â breathable, elegant, and built to help you stay comfortable all night long.
đ Wool: The Unexpected Hero of Hot Flashes
Non-allergenic, moisture-wicking, and master temperature regulator. I know, I knowâwool probably reminds you of those itchy socks from childhood or the bulky pea coat you begrudgingly wore in winter. Sounds hot, right? But hear me out.
Sheep arenât just cozy in snow-capped Nepal; they also thrive in Australiaâs blazing outback. Wool adapts, wicks sweat, and keeps you cool in summer, warm in winter, and ready to tackle even the fiercest hot flash.
Hereâs the magic: the more wool beneath you, the better the airflow. Itâs like a gentle breeze flowing through your bed, helping your body regulate temperature and cool off those night sweats.
If ewe (thatâs female sheep, pronounced like âyouâ) can rock wool through menopause, youâre definitely in good company.
We offer four wool mattress pad styles, tailored for your needsâwashable, reversible, more or less wool on top, exposed wool or cotton-coveredâeach one breathable and built for comfort.
The mattress protector or pad you sleep on will be the most important weapon in your arsenal to help battle night sweats and hot flashes. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, and your sleeping partner, you have the options mentioned above.
đď¸ The Great Mattress Protector Showdown
âWhatâs under your sheet might just be ruining your sleep.â
Material | Pros đ | Cons đ | Best For đĄ |
---|---|---|---|
Cotton (100%) | – Breathable – Washable – Budget-friendly |
– Can shrink in high heat – Absorbs moisture |
Light sleepers, regular washing, budget-friendly breathability |
Organic Cotton | – Chemical-free – Breathable – Eco vibe |
– Same as above | Sensitive skin, clean-living legends |
Silk | – Hypoallergenic – Moisture-wicking – Cooling |
– Less lofty – Needs gentle washing |
Intense hot flashes, skin sensitivity queens |
Wool | – Temperature regulating – Moisture-wicking – Natural airflow |
– Pricier – Some not fully washable |
Year-round use, hot and cold sleepers |
Polyester | – Cheap – Waterproof – Mattress warranty approved |
– Traps heat -Crinkly/plastic feel |
Budget + spill-proof, but not ideal for heat |
Waterproof Incontinence Pads | – Targeted protection – Easy to swap out – Great for period leaks or bladder issues |
– Often synthetic – Not very breathable |
Those needing protection but not full coverage |
Double Layer Hack | – Keep your warranty – Get airflow – Genius |
– Adds layers – Can shift around |
Anyone stuck with a synthetic base layer |
đ Cateâs Tip:
Stuck with a heat-trapping waterproof cover? Layer a cotton, silk, or wool protector on top to restore breathability without voiding that precious mattress warranty.
đ Wool for the Win:
If a sheep can sleep in it on a mountain or in the desert while experiencing menopause, you can survive a hot flash in it. Promise.
đď¸ Bed Sheets: Breathability Meets Softness
Choosing sheets can feel like a wild jungleâso many options, so little time. But hereâs the lowdown for menopausal sleepers: breathability is your BFF. You want sheets that let the air flow freely, keeping you cool when those hot flashes strike.
And if your skinâs gotten a bit more sensitive thanks to hormone changes, softness becomes a must-have. No rough edges or scratchy threadsâjust gentle, soothing comfort that pampers your skin all night long.
So when youâre shopping, think breathable and kind to your skin. Your bodyâand your beauty sleepâwill thank you.
Iâd definitely recommend checking out our other post on thread count becauseânewsflash!âhigher doesnât always mean better. For menopausal women, sheets in the 200â400 thread count range hit that sweet spot: breathable and durable. Go above 500 TC, and youâre looking at tighter weaves that could trap heat and crank up those symptoms.
Hereâs your breathable lineup, from coolest to meh:
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100% Linen
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Linen/Cotton blends
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100% Cotton
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Bamboo
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Jersey
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Polyester/Cotton blends
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Microfiber
Sure, there are tons of combos out thereâBamboo/Linen, Flannel/Polyester, you name itâbut your best bet is always a lower thread count and breathable fabric that lets you catch those zzzâs without overheating.
Duvets & Quilts: Bye-Bye Heat Dome, Hello Sweet Dreams
We wonât pull the wool over your eyes hereâreally, you can just copy and paste everything we said about mattress pads and protectors when it comes to fabrics and breathability. Same rules, same vibe.
âMy duvet has commitment issuesâitâs on and off all night.â
Now, down duvets? Theyâre the lightest and warmest players on the field, all about insulation and coziness. But hereâs the catch: insulation during menopause can turn your bed into a heat domeâthink of it like a sauna where the thermostat is stuck on âscorching.â That convection-blocking power? Itâs exactly what cranks up those pesky hot flashes and night sweats. So if youâre battling the heat dome, down might not be your BFF right now.
Instead, opt for breathable, natural fabrics like wool or silk-filled quilts. Wool regulates temperature like a champâcooling you when youâre hot and warming you when youâre not. Silkâs moisture-wicking magic keeps humidity in check and feels oh-so-luxe against your skin.
If you want something lighter and easy-care, consider cotton filled âthey breathe and keep your nights comfortable without the heat trap.
âDuvet or donât… depends on the flash forecast.â
Bottom line? Your duvet should be your nighttime chill partner, not your personal furnace.
Ever wonder why La NiĂąa wears the feminine crown for warm weather, and El NiĂąo rocks the masculine vibe for cold? Just some fun weather trivia as you sweat it out under your down duvetâbecause menopause likes to keep us guessing, too!
Down duvets are the ultimate fluff-fest. They give your bed that âI just rolled out of a luxury hotelâ vibeâpuffy, plush, and downright dreamy to look at. But hereâs the tea: all that loft? It traps heat like a mini sauna. For a menopausal night, thatâs basically signing up for a sweaty sleep marathon.
If youâre sticking with down because you love the look, aim for a summer-weight duvet with a low-thread-count shell (200-300 TC is your sweet spot) and a light fill (think 18oz or so). That dense cambric cotton shell is great for keeping down inside but not so great at letting your skin breathe.
The result? Your bed looks absolutely stunningâuntil the lights go out and the sweat glands turn on full blast. Beauty may be pain, but your sleep doesnât have to be.
The Faux-Down Fix: Cozy Without the Sneezes
For those picky, tricky sleepers juggling hormone shifts and allergy drama â whether itâs you or your bed buddy â down alternativeâs here to check the boxes. Itâs a fluffy mix of polyester and microfiber fillings, easier to wash than the real deal but not quite the breathability champ. Some high-quality ones even mimic downâs luxe look and feel. Heads up, hot sleepers: this wonât be your BFF during those fiery night sweats.
Silk: The Luxe Chill Factor
Like we mentioned in the mattress protector section, silk is the ultimate MVP for hot sleepers everywhere. It wicks moisture like a boss, pulling sweat away and cooling you down by keeping humidity in check.
Unlike down, silk doesnât puff up with loft â itâs sleek, with a bit more weight to it. But trust me, youâll totally appreciate what it brings to the sleep table. Silk and down are like night and day, so itâs worth diving into both before you make the call.
Cotton: The Cool, No-Fuss Classic
Natural, breathable, and low-maintenance, cotton is hands-down one of the coolest duvet options out thereânot âCool Hand Lukeâ cool, but temperature cool. If you want something a bit heftier than just a flat sheet, yet light enough to survive a drought (or, you know, menopauseâs fiery moments), cottonâs got your back on this journey.
It might not cut it for the chilliest months, so for winter vibes, consider layering up or switching to a warmer option. And hey, donât forget your partner tucked in beside youâno matter how wild your night sweats get, they might still want something with a little more substance. Selfish? Maybe. But hey, survival mode is real.
Wool: The All-Season MVP (Most Valuable Pillow) of Duvets
Some wool duvets are loftier and heavier than down or silkâbut that extra weight brings serious regulating power. Woolâs magic? It works for both hot sleepers and cold sleepers. So, you and your partner can cozy up under the same wool duvet without starting a thermostat turf war.
Hereâs the scoop: woolâs weight is measured in âgsmâ (grams per square meter). Like downâs ounces, this number tells you if your wool duvet is summer-light, all-season cozy, or winter-warm. Summer wool runs about 250-280gsm, all-season hits 320-350gsm, and winter weighs in at a toasty 400-500gsm depending on the brand.
Remember when we said more wool under you on a mattress pad helps airflow and keeps you cool? Well, with duvets, you donât need quite as much wool for airflowâbecause the weight itself helps regulate your temperature. So, if youâre riding the hot flashâchill rollercoaster, an all-season (or summer wool duvet — if youâre apartment-living) will have you feeling fleecy without ever overheating.
So if ewe want a duvet thatâs smart, stylish, and sheepishly good for menopause nights, woolâs got your back (and your front).
Now, donât get your knickers in a twist, climacteric comrades and hot sleepers alike. Iâm about to drop a truth bomb that tends to ruffle some blanketsâand tempersâin the bedroom. Brace yourselves: two duvets on one bed. Yep, you heard me right. Is it hot in here, or is it just me?
Sleeping the Scandinavian way has skyrocketed in popularity, especially among couples who couldnât be more thermally incompatible. Why suffer the nightly tug-of-war? Hereâs why splitting the duvet is an absolute game-changer:
First up, you get to pick your perfect duvet. Are you a hot sleeper craving a cool, moisture-wicking layer? Or maybe your toes turn into icicles come midnight, and only a winter-grade Hutterite goose down duvet rated for -40° will do. Hey, we all have our needs, no judgment here.
Second, no more midnight blanket battles. Need to kick off or flip your duvet without waking your partner? Easy. Your duvet, your rules. No more tugging, dragging, or passive-aggressive blanket theft.
And just imagine: you can still have those cozy cuddle sessionsâunder separate duvets! Party at my place. BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket). Kidding aside, having the duvet talk can seriously up your sleep game and boost both your physical and mental wellbeing in the long run.
As the Modern Dane wisely puts it: âEven though I love my wife very much, I donât share my toothbrush or underpants with her. Why would I share my duvet?â
Pillow Protectors: Because Your Head Deserves a Chill Pill
Menopausal night sweats turning your pillow into a personal slip ân slide? Yeah, we see you. Itâs like your headâs throwing its own sweaty rave while youâre just trying to catch some Zâs. Enter: the humble pillow protectorâyour new best friend in the battle against the midnight sweat flood.
Alright, letâs talk about pillow protectorsâthe low-key MVPs in your bedtime lineup. If you think theyâre just there to stop stains, think again. For hot menopausal sleepers, the right protector can be a game-changer in keeping your head cool and sweat-free when those night sweats crash the party.
Hereâs the deal: your pillow is basically a heat magnet, soaking up all that warmth and moisture from your head. Without proper airflow and moisture control, your pillow quickly becomes a sauna pillowâno thanks! A breathable, moisture-wicking protector lets air flow freely and helps whisk away sweat, so you wake up feeling fresh, not like you just ran a marathon in your sleep.
Cotton protectors?
Solid, breathable, and easy to wash, especially if youâre dealing with the occasional midnight mishap. But if you want to dial up the luxury and cooling power, silk pillow protectors are the real MVPs. They naturally wick moisture and keep humidity at bay, all while feeling buttery-soft against sensitive menopausal skin. Plus, you can wash them without worrying about a trip to the dry cleanerâjust gentle cycle and air dry, and youâre golden.
Wool pillow protectors
Might sound wild, but hear me out. Wool is a temperature-regulating ninja that keeps you cool when itâs hot and cozy when itâs cold. Bonus: itâs naturally hypoallergenic and moisture-wicking, perfect if your skin is throwing tantrums thanks to hormone changes.
So, if you want your pillow to be your best night-time sidekick instead of a sweat trap, think breathable, moisture-wicking, and easy-to-clean. Your head (and your sleep) will thank you.
Pillows: Your Headâs MVP in the Hot Flash Arena
If your nights feel like a sauna thanks to menopause, your pillow isnât just a pillow anymore â itâs your frontline comfort warrior. Picking the right one is like choosing a trusty sidekick whoâs got your back (or, well, your head) through thick and thin â and hot and cold.
âFlashdance? More like flash pants-offâIâm roasting!â
Latex pillows bring the bounce and breathability. Theyâre naturally resistant to dust mites and mold â a win for sensitive menopausal skin thatâs prone to irritation. Plus, they keep their shape without turning into a pancake by morning. Bonus: theyâre a little springy, so you can toss and turn without feeling like youâre sleeping on a slab of concrete.
Natural fiber pillows? Wool give you breathable comfort that lets air flow and sweat evaporate. Perfect if your head feels like itâs hosting a personal weather event every night.
Pro tip: Donât be shy about swapping your pillow more often than you did pre-menopause. Over time, pillows lose their loft and breathability, and no one wants a flat, sweaty pancake supporting their head during hot flashes.
Your pillow isnât just an accessory â itâs your nighttime BFF. Treat it right, and itâll keep you cool, comfy, and dreaming sweetly even when your hormones are throwing a wild party upstairs.
Toppers: Because Your Mattress Deserves a Sidekick (and so do you)
Look, your mattress might be decent, but sometimes itâs just not quite cutting itâespecially when menopause crashes the party with night sweats and mood swings that would make a soap opera jealous. Thatâs where toppers come in: the unsung heroes that take your bed from âmehâ to âHECK yes!â faster than you can say âhot flash.â
Featherbeds (2.5â of feather fluff heaven)
Feel like youâre sleeping on a cloud that almost got its pilotâs license. Featherbeds bring that classic bougie softness while letting air sneak throughâso you can stay comfy without roasting like a Sunday chicken. Just donât blame us if you start feeling fancy enough to call yourself royalty.
Polyball Fiber: The MVP for âI want fluff without the dramaâ
Hypoallergenic? Check. Machine washable? Absolutely. Cooling? Well⌠not exactly. Letâs be realâpolyball fiber might not be the poster child for breathability, but it is a soft, fluffy cloud of comfort. Think of it as your low-maintenance bestie: not perfect in the heat, but always there with a hug and a clean conscience. For cooler sleepers or those just dipping a toe into the topper game, itâs a solid choice.
Dunlop Latex: The cool, firm hug you didnât know you needed
Latex toppers are like that sassy friend who tells you the truth but has your back. Supportive yet breathable, durable yet bouncy, they keep you cool when menopause tries to turn up the heat. Plus, they naturally repel dust mites and allergensâso you get a cleaner, fresher sleep without sacrificing comfort.
So go ahead, give your mattress that glow-up itâs been begging for, and show menopause whoâs bossâall while sinking into the sleep upgrade you totally deserve.
Period, the end.