Menopause-the privilidge of aging and moving into the next life phase. What about night sweats?

As a woman, I feel like I grew up not fearing, but dreading when I would enter this life phase.  It was something that was presented to me in a negative light.  Then, in what felt like a flash, I was there.  I had always dealt with terrible periods.  I had dibilitating cramps which left me unable to stand up straight, made me vomit and interrupted my sleep and work.  I was ok when on birth control pills, but over time these started to make me feel crazy.  Like PMS on steriods that lasted two weeks, some generic brands gave me hives.  Fianlly I was prescribed Norco, yep, but...I truly needed it and lucky for me, I didn't rely on it.  Problem was, these cramps always seemed to hit at 3am, not a good time to take a pain pill, so they only worked just before bed.  I struggled with using a IUD because I was afraid of the complications AND I was still hoping to have a baby.  Well, time passed and I finally decided that kids were not in the cards for me.  I also was able to see a wonderful OB-GYN doctor who addresssed all of my concerns and I got an IUD.  It was a short, but painful procedure.  The pain was so strong that I was doubled over driving for a short time  (5mins)and then...my monthly cycle changed 100%.  First, no more cramps!  (party dancing happened)  Then, after I few months I went from heavy and horrible to no flow!  OMG, I wish I had made this decision sooner or at least would have understood that having an IUD might mean, no more pain pills! 
I mention all of this because I know I am not alone, but also to help if you are in a similar situation.  Of course, you have to educate yourself as to all of the side effects and things that could go wrong in order to make the decision that is right for you. I also believe that having an IUD helped with other symptoms of menopause.  I talked to my wonderful accupuncture doctor and she recommeded an herbal supplement that I also believe helped.  
Let's talk "night sweats", first it's more like a night sauna.  I've exercised/worked out in hot and humid climates all over the world, but I have not ever sweated as much as I did during a night sweat.  I would wake up drenched, no joke, the sweat rolling down my body would wake me.  I would find any night clothing I was wearing, soaked.  The sheets on my bed, soaked.  I know women who will get up and change their sheets, not this woman.  I am lazy, I would get up, dry off and put towels down over my sheets, move to the dry side of the bed and go back to sleep.  I'm lucky that I don't share a bed at this time. (I am blessed to be able to go back to sleep in an instant, that's another story)
Regardless, it's disgusting and changing/washing sheets all the time isn't fun.  I started paying attention to when it would happen the most and what I was ingesting or putting on my skin, ie. lotion.  First, cutting back on drinking helped a lot.  The nights when I was out partying tended to be the worst.  What also happended on these nights is I would take a late afternoon/evening shower a slather on lotion.  Long story short, I got a filter for my shower and then stopped using lotion.  When I don't bathe or wash in chlorinated water, I don't need lotion.  I stopped using lotion at night and guess what?  The night sweats decreased.  I stopped using lotion after the shower totally and the night sweats stopped.  The only time I get them now is when I use lotion and don't clean it off before bed.  To me, it makes sense.  I was covering my pores and they couldn't breathe.  That's my thought and I'm sticking with it, but I am not a scientist.  What we do know is that every woman is different.  I wanted to share just in case this slight change of habit, which shouldn't hurt you in any way, might change your sleeping.  If you don't want to get a shower filter and/or stop using lotion, just try taking a shower before bed without putting on lotion for a week or two and see if you notice a change.  Please let me know what you experience either way.  
Wishing you comfortable sleep, peace and kindness. 
​Mindy