Menopause and Insomnia -Tips for Overcoming Sleeplessness.

Are you suffering from menopause and insomnia? Menopause and insomnia do not have to wreck your life. They both co-occur due to the reduction and imbalance of hormones associated with menopause. They are usually inseparable as menopause will almost always bring on insomnia. 

Also, when occurring together, they are characterized by having vivid dreams and waking up with a thumping beat. These two usually go together, in fact, is inescapable, and a symptom of the slowing down of a woman’s reproductive system.

The Menopause and Insomnia Factor.

Insomnia is one of the most frequent complaints of menopause.  Insomnia is also caused by a variety of other factors. Deficiencies of calcium and magnesium–very common in menopausal women–can cause insomnia. Insomniacs typically complain of being unable to close their eyes or rest their mind for more than a few minutes at a time. Many women have tried many natural remedies and they did help somewhat, but it wasn’t until recently that I found the answer to endless insomnia. What menopause insomnia medications cannot directly counter, however, is the vicious cycle that menopause insomnia causes. 

Whichever method you will use to treat your menopause insomnia, follow your doctor's orders and do not engage in any activities or take any medication without his express approval or prescription.  Menopause insomnia can be eased by taking a few sleep-inviting measures during the day. The best way to deal with menopause insomnia is to deal with the symptoms of menopause as best you can.  Menopause insomnia can be a problem but you can overcome it with persistence, natural remedies and good health habits. 

Hormones.

Hormone fluctuations in the body of a woman in menopause can contribute to insomnia.  Hormone production changes can drastically affect the way a female feels and her moods, not to mention the issues surrounding the fact that the ability to reproduce is now being diminished.  Hormone levels, health issues, lifestyle, and situational stressors all play a role in whether you get to sleep and stay asleep. 

After the age of 40 (and sometimes before) you may have trouble getting or staying asleep because of :Declining hormone levels, which impact your sleep/wake cycle Hot flashes and night sweats that wake you up and may require you to stay awake to recover or change bedding. Health issues that wake you include thyroid problems, pain, breathing difficulties or other reasons for waking or discomfort. What Can You Do About Insomnia? Whether you use black cohosh, flaxseed oil, antidepressants or a short course of hormone therapy, there are probably choices that will ease your symptoms enough to re-establish a good sleep pattern.  The shifting of ratios of hormones can be an unsettling process, sometimes contributing to the inability to fall asleep. 

For co-occurring of both conditions, hormone replacement therapy is also used.  In order to ease the discomfort of not being able to sleep at night, your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy medication to supplement decreasing levels of estrogen in your body.  See your doc about Hormone replacement and/or a sleeping aid.  Some women ‘learn’ to have insomnia and adjust their life around it – and as their hormones settle down, they have built a lifestyle of insomnia.

Treatment.

There is a strong push towards natural treatment for menopause insomnia.  There are several treatment options for these conditions that can be offered including sleeping aids.  The only menopausal specific treatment for sleep disorder is hormone replacement therapy.  A proper diet and relaxation exercise are a few other treatments to help with your sleep disorder associated with menopause.

Some relaxation techniques appear to work well for almost every woman experiencing this problem. Foods that are rich in tryptophan are highly recommended.  Worrying about your menopause and insomnia will only make it worse.  Keeping up or starting a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise can also help your body deal with this problem. 

Your doctor will most likely suggest a type of hormone replacement therapy to help your symptoms lessen.  Menopause and insomnia is a typical symptom of your age and state, so be extra cautious in keeping yourself healthy.



Return From Menopause and Insomnia to Insomnia Causes .


Return to Sleeping Disorders Homepage.


footer for menopause and insomnia page