Pregnancy: Why am I Sweating More?

About 35% of pregnant women complain of hot flashes and night sweats during pregnancy. Although unpleasant, these phenomena are not without purpose and are primarily aimed at eliminating toxins and other organic waste produced by the mother's body and that of the child. Several factors contribute to an increase in perspiration during pregnancy.

1. Blood circulation between the mother and the embryo typically begins around the fourth week of pregnancy. It then becomes more intense in the body of the pregnant woman. Indeed, in addition to supplying the mother's various organs with oxygen and nutrients, the blood circulation must also deliver all the essential nutrients to the future baby. This increase in blood circulation results in a rise in the body temperature of the pregnant woman. To dissipate this excessive heat, perspiration intensifies.

2. This phenomenon is also compounded by the weight gain that occurs during pregnancy. Indeed, adipocytes, the fat cells of the hypodermis, serve as a reserve and promote thermogenesis, which is the production of heat by the body. In response, the body increases perspiration to cool itself down.

3. Hot flashes and excessive sweating experienced by pregnant women are also hormonally driven. Indeed, a study has correlated the increase in progesterone levels during pregnancy with a stimulation of the sweat glands, which produce sweat. However, no mechanistic explanation has been provided.

4. Finally, excessive sweating can be due to hyperthyroidism, a disorder of the thyroid gland affecting approximately 4% of pregnant women. The overactivity of this gland causes, among other things, an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, which can lead to a rise in body temperature. This condition must be monitored, as it can be harmful to both the embryo and the mother: the main consequences are growth delay, and an increased risk of miscarriage and premature birth. However, it should be noted that hyperthyroidism is often detected quite early in pregnancy and the aforementioned adverse effects are fortunately rare.