Menopause is the period of gradual decline in the activity of the female reproductive organs. During this time, menstruation becomes irregular and finally ceases. Bodily changes related to hormonal imbalance are relatively easy to understand and are responsible for some physical changes including weight gain, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, excess sweating, bloating, hair loss, and so on. Lack of sleep can in itself create other issues such as lack of concentration, fatigue, a weakened immune system and irritability.

A normal adult on average should have approximately 7-8 hours of good sleep every night. Continued lack of sleep due to night sweats, muscle soreness and other reasons can also increase emotional disturbances, and a strain on personal and professional relationships. Sleep, as we all know, is induced by endorphins, which are any of the group of peptide hormones binding to the opiate receptors found mainly in the brain. Menopause will obviously lead to reduced production of endorphins in the body, as with all other hormonal secretions. Moreover, it is well known that sexual activity contributes greatly to the production of endorphins; which is precisely why many people sleep better after sex. Any form of imbalance in the normal activities of the sexual organs would then lead to a decrease in the secretion of endorphins.

Other symptoms related to menopause also indirectly contribute to sleeplessness during this period of a woman’s life. For instance, medical research has shown that between 75% and 80% of women experience hot flashes and night sweats during menopause, which can evidently make it difficult for women to sleep at night. Besides, anxiety is often related to menopause, during which a women begins to feel aged and tired. Depression and increased irritability are also common psychological symptoms that are often experienced as part of menopause and these experiences at the psychological level can equally affect a woman’s sleep.

It is estimated that approximately 65 million people in the US suffer from some form of sleep disorder. It’s believed the reduced production of estrogen and progesterone during menopause increases the possibility of sleep disorders in some women together with possible psychological symptoms.

It is therefore very important you try to get the best possible sleep you can during this natural stage of life. Some good ideas are:

• Sleeping in a well-ventilated room, ensuring that there is cross-ventilation.
• Wearing loose clothing to bed preferably made of cotton fabric.
• Avoiding excess caffeine and alcohol, especially close to bedtime.
• Exercising regularly, though not just before going to bed.
• Avoiding spicy food, which can worsen the problem of hot flashes and excess sweating.
• Taking time to relax and avoiding situations of stress just before going to bed.
• Follow some relaxation techniques.

Everyone knows the importance of a peaceful nights sleep, however, many women during menopause are not getting the required amount of peaceful sleep. The lack of estrogen and progesterone production affects your ability to relax and fall asleep and coupled with hot flashes and night sweats many women dread trying to go to sleep. A new device from the UK has been found to ease this symptom though an Extensive Consumer Survey carried out. Ladycare’s ability to help restore the natural hormone balance has been shown to improve troubled sleeping within the survey by upto 50%. A combination of the lifestyle tips above and LadyCare are an excellent natural and drug free start to ease your sleeping problems. However, if symptoms do continue it is recommended to seek advice from a healthcare professional.

The comments on this page are for informational purposes only. We do not provide any medical advice. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any health problem, or replace professional advice from a qualified medical expert