The Importance of Breathability, Moisture Absorption, and Wicking in Bedding for Menopausal Women
Published: April 2023
How many nights have you spent tossing and turning in bed, praying for the hot flushes to go away while being unable to find a comfortable position to sleep in? Too many, right? You’re not alone. Many women going through menopause experience problems with their sleep that can greatly impact their quality of life.
Choosing the right bed linen is an absolute game-changer when it comes to your comfort. Don’t settle for subpar sheets that leave you feeling hot, clammy and bothered. You deserve better!
There are a few things you can do to get better sleep despite menopausal hot flushes and night sweats, and one important factor to look at is your bedding and how it can contribute to improving (or worsening) your symptoms. The type of fabric you choose can make a significant difference in how well you sleep at night and may bring in some well-needed relief from menopausal symptoms. Specifically, when considering what is the best bed linen for menopausal vasomotor symptoms (vmss), such as hot flushes and night sweats, you want to look for fabrics that are breathable, moisture-absorbing, and moisture-wicking. Often these terms are used interchangeably but they actually do not mean the same thing.
In this article, we will discuss the difference between fabric’s breathability, moisture absorption and moisture wicking and why these properties are important when looking for the best bed sheets for hot sleepers and those who have hot flushes and night sweats.
Breathability
When selecting bed linen for menopausal women, breathability is a crucial quality to take into account because breathable fabrics enable air to circulate and avoid heat from building up around the body. This is important because hot flushes can cause a rapid rise in body temperature that can make you sweat and feel uncomfortable. By selecting a fabric with excellent breathability, you can guarantee that your body will remain cool and comfortable all night.
But what does fabric breathability actually mean and why is it important when choosing your bedding? Breathability refers to how easily air can pass through the fabric. Fabrics that are highly breathable allow air to circulate around your body, which can help regulate your temperature and prevent overheating. Cotton is a popular choice for bedding because it’s breathable, but it’s not the only option.
A more breathable fabric than cotton is Tencel lyocell. Tencel is a fabric made from the pulp of eucalyptus trees. It’s known for being highly breathable, even more so than cotton. This means that air can pass easily through the material, keeping you calm and at ease all night. Tencel lyocell is a fantastic option if you’re looking for bedding that will help in controlling your body temperature.
Conversely, synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, or acrylic do not breathe well. They tend to make sleeping unpleasant because the fabric tends to retain heat and moisture. Due to their tensile strength and stain resistance, synthetic materials are popular, but they are not appropriate for warm climates or people who tend to sweat a lot while sleeping.
Moisture Absorption
Another important property to consider is moisture absorption because moisture-absorbing fabrics provide insulation and help regulate body temperature. When you sleep, your body naturally produces sweat and other moisture, and if you are going through menopause you may experience excessive sweating. If moisture and sweat get trapped in your bedding, it can create a damp, uncomfortable environment that can lead to skin irritation and even bacterial growth. A fabric with good moisture absorption can help to keep the body dry and comfortable, by drawing moisture away from the skin and into the fabric. This can prevent the body from feeling clammy or sticky during the night, promoting a better night’s sleep.
Linen is a great moisture-absorbing but if you are looking for bed sheets with even better moisture absorption Tencel is worth checking out. Tencel is highly moisture-absorbing, it can absorb 100% of moisture in 20 seconds, which means that it can quickly and easily absorb any sweat or moisture produced by your body, giving you better sleep, even if you’re experiencing hot flushes or night sweats.
On the other hand, synthetic fabrics aren’t very absorbent because they frequently repel moisture and distribute it across the fabric’s surface, giving the feeling of clamminess and discomfort. Synthetic materials are additionally susceptible to bacterial and fungi development, which can result in odours and allergies.
Moisture Wicking
Lastly, moisture wicking is another important property for bed linen. Moisture-wicking fabrics are designed to keep you cool and dry by pulling moisture away from your skin. Preventing sweat from building up can reduce the likelihood of skin irritation and bacterial growth making your sleep that much more comfortable and easier to maintain.
Moisture-wicking fabrics also dry quickly, preventing the growth of bacteria and odours.
To improve their efficiency, synthetic materials like nylon and polyester have been given special moisture-wicking treatments. Thanks to these techniques, moisture is drawn away from the flesh and towards the fabric’s outer layer, where it can evaporate. However, it’s worth noting that although these treatments work, they often disappear after several washes, which makes the moisture-wicking qualities less effective.
The best fabric to help with hot flushes at night is extremely breathable, with exceptional moisture absorption and an even greater ability to wick away moisture.
Now, you might be wondering which fabrics have these properties. One fabric that ticks all the boxes is Tencel. Tencel is a type of lyocell made from eucalyptus wood pulp, and it has excellent breathability, moisture absorption, and moisture-wicking properties.
Tencel lyocell is the best material for hot sleepers and menopausal women who suffer from hot flushes and night sweats because it can absorb 50% more moisture than cotton and 20% more moisture than linen. Due to its fine fibre structure, which permits air to easily move through the fabric, it is also incredibly breathable. Tencel wicks 70% more moisture than cotton and more than flax linen.
Moreover, Tencel lyocell also has a silky smooth texture that is kind to delicate skin and doesn’t irritate or itch it. During menopause, many women become prone to skin sensitivity, which is yet another reason why Tencel makes a fantastic option for bedding during this phase of life. Tencel’s smooth fibres enable this fabric to retain its cool-to-the-touch sensation for long periods of time.
At Cassvensi, we understand that selecting the right bedding can make a huge difference in the quality of sleep for menopausal women. That’s why we designed a special range of bedding made from 100% Tencel with an exclusive high thread count of 600, ensuring better performance and durability.
Tencel lyocell is not only an award-winning, sustainable and eco-friendly material but also a premium quality fabric that offers excellent breathability, moisture absorption, and moisture-wicking properties to help you get undisturbed sleep. Our eucalyptus-derived 100% Tencel lyocell pillowcases, duvet covers and fitted sheets are designed to keep you cool and dry throughout the night, minimising the discomfort caused by night sweats and hot flushes.
Furthermore, we are committed to ethical manufacturing practices and our Tencel bedding is ethically made in Portugal. By choosing our Tencel bedding, you can rest easy knowing that you’re making a responsible choice for both your comfort and the planet.
CONCLUSION
In summary, selecting the right bed linen can make a big difference in the comfort, especially for menopausal women who suffer from hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia or other sleep disturbances.
Breathability, moisture absorption, and moisture-wicking properties should be on your non-negotiable list when searching for the best bed sheets that can help with hot flushes and keep your body cool and dry during the night. If you wonder what is the best cooling bed linen fabric, Tencel lyocell is a fabric that excels in all three areas, making it the perfect choice for menopausal women. So why not invest in our 100% Tencel bed linen range today and experience the benefits yourself?