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The Menopause Guide
It's Not Just Hot Flashes
Menopause is a natural part of life, but the body has a way of making it anything but straightforward. Hot flashes arrive without warning, night sweats disrupt sleep, and the bra you have worn for years suddenly feels different in a way that is hard to put into words. A feeling many describe is that they no longer quite recognise themselves. Your body is changing in real ways, and what you wear closest to your skin matters more than most people realise.
This guide is for anyone going through menopause, whether you are in perimenopause or postmenopause. We look at what is actually happening in the body and show how the right underwear, made from the right materials, can help you feel like yourself again.
What happens in the body during menopause
Menopause affects both body and mind
Menopause is a change that affects all of you, both mentally and physically. The mental signs often appear first: sleep problems, mood swings, anxiety and a vague sense of not quite being yourself. It is more common than most people know, and it is worth acknowledging. In this guide, however, we focus on the physical, because that is where we can make a real, practical difference for you in everyday life.
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Hot flashes and night sweats
It often starts with the night sweats, long before any daytime hot flashes appear. The body is no longer regulating temperature the way it should, and this can show up in many ways. Perhaps you find yourself overheating quickly, or notice that everyone else in the room is perfectly comfortable while you are peeling off a layer. These are the body’s early signals.
Hot flashes come later in the process and are what most people associate with menopause. Around 80 percent of women experience them. But by that point, many have already been in perimenopause for several years, with symptoms they may not have connected, because menopause is just hot flashes, isn’t it? It is not.
The cause is hormonal. As estrogen levels decline, the brain’s temperature regulation centre (the hypothalamus) becomes oversensitive to small changes and responds with a heat surge. Until hormones have stabilised, what you wear against your skin plays a significant role in how well you manage this.
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Changes in the breasts
Lower estrogen levels affect breast tissue. Many women notice that their breasts feel different, change shape, or become more sensitive to touch and certain fabrics. A bra that fitted well before may suddenly dig in, feel too tight, or simply feel wrong. This is not a fit problem; it is the body asking for softer materials and a gentler construction.
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Changes in body composition
It is common to gain weight around the abdomen during menopause, as the body redistributes fat in response to hormonal changes. Many women find that underwear that previously fitted well now feels tighter around the waist and hips, or no longer sits quite right. Going up a size, choosing wider waistbands, or switching to more forgiving styles can make an immediate difference.
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More sensitive skin
Declining estrogen levels can thin the skin and reduce its moisture content, making it more reactive to friction and overly tight garments. If your skin feels more sensitive than it used to, it becomes especially important to prioritise softness and breathability in everything worn close to the body, including underwear.
What to look for when choosing underwear during menopause
When the body’s temperature regulation is working overtime, underwear needs to help, not hinder. These are the things that matter most:
• Moisture-wicking fabric that actively draws sweat away from the skin, keeping you dry even when you feel warm or have a hot flash
• Breathability that allows air to circulate and lets body heat escape
• Soft construction without scratchy lace, rough seams or a rigid underwire against sensitive skin
• Flexible fit that moves with the body without digging in
• Temperature balance with fabric that cools when you are warm, without leaving you cold afterwards
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Swegmark’s Cool & Dry technology
Swegmark’s Cool & Dry collection was developed with exactly these needs in mind. The technology uses advanced moisture-wicking fibres that actively draw sweat away from the skin to the outer surface of the fabric, where it can evaporate quickly. The result: you stay dry and comfortable, even when the body is working hard to regulate temperature.
Unlike pure natural fibres such as cotton, which absorb moisture but hold it against the skin, Cool & Dry fabric transports it away efficiently. And unlike many synthetic materials, the construction has been developed to be soft against sensitive skin.
The entire Cool & Dry range is OEKO-TEX®-certified, meaning the materials have been tested and approved as free from harmful substances. This is not a minor detail. Skin is the body’s largest organ and absorbs substances it comes into contact with. Anyone who has worn a hormone patch against the abdomen knows exactly what that means in practice. With Cool & Dry, you can be confident that nothing unwanted comes along. The garments are also made from recycled materials, a considerate choice for both skin and the environment.
During the day, Cool & Dry bras and panties help you manage hot flashes with less disruption. The fabric handles it discreetly.
At night, night sweats disturb sleep far less when you have moisture-wicking underwear. Cool & Dry material works while you sleep, so you can stay in bed and fall back to sleep more quickly.
Our recommendations
Cool & Dry Bra
Designed for all-day comfort with extra breathability. Bra cups are made from Cool & Dry material that keeps you comfortable during hot flashes, with a soft band and smooth surface suited to sensitive skin. Available with and without underwire, across Swegmark’s full size range.
Cool & Dry Panties
Cool & Dry panties use the same moisture-wicking technology as the bra, keeping you dry and comfortable throughout the day. The cut is designed for a secure fit without pressing, with flat seams that sit gently against the skin.
Available in several styles to suit different needs and preferences: Brazilian for a minimal fit, midi and maxi for a little more coverage, and the popular long-leg style that is ideal for preventing chafing under skirts and dresses. Choose the style that best suits your body and daily life.
Cool & Dry Tank Top
The Essence tank top is designed to keep you cool, dry and comfortable, whatever the day brings. With its cooling Cool & Dry material and a soft, smooth surface against the skin, it works equally well as a base layer under clothing or as a nightwear piece. Ideal worn under blouses, shirts and tops, but also a natural choice for sleeping in, particularly for anyone experiencing hot flashes and night sweats. The smooth surface gently cradles more tender breast tissue at night, making it more comfortable to lie in bed. The slightly longer cut means it stays in place without riding up, and the flexible fit allows full freedom of movement. OEKO-TEX®-certified material.
Cool & Dry Underwear
6 tips for staying comfortable during menopause
1. Dress in layers. It is easier to adapt to temperature fluctuations when you can quickly add or remove a garment.
2. Choose moisture-wicking underwear as your base layer. It is your first line of defence.
3. Keep a fan on the bedside table. Combined with Cool & Dry panties and vest, good airflow makes a real difference at night.
4. Replace worn bras. A bra that has lost its shape and elasticity no longer fits a changing body.
5. Go up a size if you need to. The body changes, and there is no reason to struggle with underwear that does not fit.
6. Seek professional medical help if your symptoms, physical or emotional, are affecting your quality of life. Menopause is a phase every woman goes through, but no one should have to just endure it.
Sources
1177 Vårdguiden – Menopause https://www.1177.se/liv--halsa/sa-fungerar-kroppen/klimakteriet/
1177 Vårdguiden – Menopausal Symptoms https://www.1177.se/sjukdomar--besvar/hormoner/klimakteriebesvar/
SFOG, Swedish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology – Menopause and Hormone Therapy, Lindén Hirschberg A. https://www.sfog.se/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/klimakteriet-och-hormonbehandling.pdf
Internetmedicin – Menopausal Symptoms https://www.internetmedicin.se/obstetrik-och-gynekologi/klimakteriella-besvar
European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) – Menopause, wellbeing and health: A care pathway, Maturitas https://www.maturitas.org/article/S0378-5122(22)00090-1/fulltext
European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) – The essential menopause curriculum for healthcare professionals, Maturitas https://www.maturitas.org/article/S0378-5122(21)00344-3/fulltext
World Health Organization (WHO) – Menopause, Fact Sheet https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause
Karolinska Institutet – Questions about how the body works https://ki.se/en/node/7094