The Link between Menopause and Insomnia
There are plenty of changes that your body will experience as you go through the process of menopause. Hot flashes, night sweats and intense mood swings are some of the symptoms that women hear about the most. However, there is also a link between menopause and insomnia, although you may not hear about this symptom quite as often as some of the others. The problem with insomnia during menopause is that the sleep deprivation that many women experience during this time of life can make it more difficult to deal with the other menopausal symptoms as well. The good news is that there are steps that you can take to try to alleviate the problem of insomnia during menopause, leading you to more restful nights and more enjoyable days.
Why it Occurs
There are a number of reasons for the link between menopause and insomnia. First the decrease in hormones like estrogen and progesterone can lead to more restless nights, since these hormones tend to be sleep-promoting. You may also suffer from hot flashes or night sweats that can disrupt your night and make it difficult to get back to sleep once you are awake. Many women also experience depression during menopause, and this condition can lead to insomnia as well. Finally, events that are occurring during this time of life, like kids moving away or retiring from a job can lead to stress, which can also lead to insomnia. There are many reasons that menopause and insomnia tend to go hand in hand, but the next question becomes what to do about it.
What You can do
There are a number of choices in treatment for menopause and insomnia. You can ask your doctor about hormone replacement therapy to see if it is a good fit for you during this time of life. Keep in mind that HRT can include risks for some women, so not everyone is a candidate for this treatment plan. Exercise can also help with the symptoms of both menopause and insomnia, so get moving most days of the week to help keep those annoying symptoms under control.
Good sleep training also becomes very important during this time in managing the insomnia from menopause. Make sure that you go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Keep your bedroom comfortable in terms of temperature, light and noise level. Follow a relaxing routine every night before bed, and only use your bed for sleep and sex. These steps will help to retrain and prepare your body for the slumber ahead, and help you handle your menopause and your insomnia more effectively.
