Thursday, March 04, 2010

Menopause and Sleep! Impossible?


One of the biggest issues we face before, during and after menopause is getting enough SLEEP! There's a different story for every woman and we really don't put enough importance on the effect all those sleepless nights are having on our lives. From peri-menopause to post-menopause, women report the most sleeping problems. Most notably, these are due to hot flashes, mood disorders, insomnia and sleep-disordered breathing. Sleep problems are often accompanied by depression and anxiety. In addition to the common sleep problems that we have throughout menopause, you could also have Sleep Apnea which can have devestating effects on your heart. I created this page to help tie in with the other symptoms.
Let's talk about how much sleep issues affect your daily life. I believe it's something that has been missing in all the talk about getting through menopause.

5 comments:

  1. I've had insomnia for a few years now and I'm post-meno but still get it about 3 nights a week. It is not devastating, as it used to be, but enough to frustrate me as I tend to sleep in late the next morning to make up for it--then I feel I've wasted a lot of the morning. Gr-r-r!!

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  2. Anonymous10:20 PM

    I never thought I would have sleep issues, but for the past few years I wake up in the night and often never get back to sleep.

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  3. I think what I've realized is that I sleep in two shifts during my interminable peri-menopause. I seem unable to stay awake between three and Five in the afternoon ( or 2:30, sometimes.) I used to be a catnap woman, but now I seem to need to truly get some REM sleep then. And Then I get sleepy again around midnight, but wake up at 5. Some may be related to other health problems, but I am not convinced this is so. When I honor this pattern, I do fine, but when I eliminate the nap, I do not sleep longer at night, but simply FIGHT my body for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Fortunately, I do not HAVE to function then, so it's okay, but this set in just around the time I began with hot flashes ten years ago. Maybe it will change if I evern truly PAUSE for good!!

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  4. I thnk the afternoon nap can be helpful in some cases, but not when it's brought on by not getting enough of the right kind of sleep through the night. You seem to have a good picture of what your habits are, Jeannette. I didn't have a clue why I was drowsy every morning by 9am when I got up at 6. Then I had a sleep test and found out I have severe OSA (obstructive sleep apnea). As soon as I got a cpap machine I started sleeping 7-8 hours and didn't even get up to go potty!! I haven't napped in the afternoon for a year. It was truly life saving for me, so I wanted to let everyone know that the nap thing doesn't have to become a lifestyle. :) I get a lot more done during the day now....with a lot more energy.

    Whatever it takes for each of us to get the good, restorative, healthy sleep is going to be worth a lot. And I've been "paused" for 20 years. :)

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  5. Menopausal women tend not to sleep well due to the changes in their hormonal levels. It would be good to try to relax, have a vacation or go to a spa. If you don't want something expensive, then go to a nearby beach and inhale fresh air. That would help you lose your temper. You just need to go out and enjoy Mother Nature.

    Jennifer West

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