Researchers Connecting Menopause And Insomnia
Research continues surrounding the changes caused by hormone imbalances in women during menopause and one of the issues currently being examined is the connection between menopause and insomnia. The inability to fall asleep or stay asleep robs many menopausal women of their needed rest and some indications are that the irritability and night sweats associated with menopause are to blame. Another sleep disorder, sleep apnea is also considered to be a problem with menopause and insomnia suffered by more women as they get older.
Obstructive sleep apnea, often more associated with older men, is showing up in women after menopause, and the common signs include loud snoring, feeling tired all the time and lack of energy. While obstructive sleep apnea can be caused by relaxed tissues in the roof of the mouth, continued waking during the night, known as apnea, is beginning to be tied to menopause and insomnia.
There are many known symptoms of menopause and insomnia causes are closely related to some of them. People may have trouble getting to sleep because their mind continues to be active and their mood changes can keep them mentally troubled an unable to fall asleep. As some of the signs on menopause and insomnia, these symptoms are being considered to be related.
Hormone Changes Cause Many Unknown Problems
While it is known that certain levels of specific hormones are required to keep the body functioning, there has been no breakthrough to determine exactly how hormone balances affect a person's ability to acquire a decent night's sleep. Medications prescribed to help people drift off to sleep are often given to those suffering through menopause and insomnia with the same result.
Hormone fluctuations may also cause the woman's body temperature to fluctuate, causing them to wake up when they have to throw off the covers when they feel overheated. There are many complaints listed by women going through menopause and insomnia is one of the most common. Even if they are able to fall asleep quickly, they are not able to stay asleep throughout the night.
Even if the woman does not feel they have experienced a hot flash during the night, they may wake up feeling too warm to get back to sleep right away, making menopause and insomnia partly responsible for them being irritable the following day. Melatonin is regarded as one product that can help people suffering from menopause and insomnia fall asleep quickly and stay asleep for the duration of the night.
