There are few things that cause more physical problems for your body than an ongoing lack of sleep. Without the restorative powers of sleep, our bodies and minds cannot function at their peak performance. I know I am miserable if I have gone without a good night’s sleep for several nights in a row and feel terrible. And according to those around me….I am terrible to be around! For people who are suffering from ongoing insomnia it can be stressful. In addition to the many reasons we lose sleep at night, here are the ways menopause contributes to insomnia:
How Menopause Can Cause Insomnia
Menopause can cause insomnia through hormone changes, medications, and hot flashes.
Hormones
When your hormones, estrogen and progesterone, levels decrease during menopause, this can trigger sleep problems. Progesterone, is a sleep-producing hormone so when levels drop trouble sleeping can be a natural result.
Medications
Medications you may have started taking can also trigger sleeplessness. Be sure to talk with your doctor when you start new medications to be sure sleep disturbances aren’t a side-effect.
Hot Flashes/Night Sweats
These are very common symptoms of menopause. The varying levels of hormones can cause a rise in your body’s adrenaline levels. This reaction can cause your body temperature to increase and this can interrupt your sleep.
Signs of Insomnia
Do you suffer from these symptoms?
- Get less than 6 hours of sleep three or more nights per week
- Not feeling rested after sleeping
- Feeling tired throughout the day
- Taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep at night
Insomnia
A study, from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that close to 20 percent of all women aged 40 to 59 said they had trouble falling asleep on four or more nights in the prior week.*
Sleep troubles were even more likely if the woman was in the years where she’s transitioning into menopause (“perimenopause“). Among these women, more than half (56 percent) said they typically got less than the seven hours of sleep per night that experts deem restful and healthy.
Even after menopause, sleep woes lingered: nearly 36 percent of postmenopausal women aged 40 to 59 said they had trouble staying asleep through the night. That figure can stretch to up to 60% of women who can experience varying bouts of insomnia.**
Effects of Insomnia On Your Health
The lasting effects of insomnia on your health can be overwhelming, especially when they are in addition to other menopause systems such as weight gain, vision problems and anxiety. Insomnia can contribute to many issues such as anxiety, stress, headaches, lack of focus, and even gastrointestinal problems.
A study by the National Institute Of Health shows that continued experience of less than 6 hours of sleep during middle age can lead to dementia in old age.
Finding a better sleep solution may be the route to solving your insomnia symptoms. Read here for some key strategies on getting better sleep.
If you’re suffering from insomnia, share with us below what symptoms you’ve experienced and maybe some key strategies for better sleep that you’ve discovered work best.
Sources
- *WebMD.com
- **National Institute of Health
