Menopause And Insomnia - Menopause

Insomnia And The Menopause

One of the most common symptoms of the menopause is often insomnia. It can be caused through hot flushes or just general hormone problems which end up keeping you awake. Whatever it is that causes these bouts of insomnia, it can be a problem, especially when it leads to lack of energy and in some cases it can cause illness.

Why the Menopause Can Cause Insomnia

Insomnia is a common symptom and most women do experience it at some stage during their menopause. It is thought that there is a drop in one of the brain’s chemicals called ‘serotonin’ which causes the insomnia. However, hot flushes regularly keep many women up all throughout the night with some even claiming that they have to change their nightclothes at least three times before the morning.

Some even resort to taking showers in the middle of the night just to cool themselves down. To many this is a serious problem and it does need to be sorted out as soon as possible.

If you do not sleep due to insomnia, it is likely to make the other symptoms of the menopause even worse. For example, you will be more tired so you will suffer further lack of energy and you are also bound to be more stressed and so your emotions will also suffer. When your body is tired its immune system is down and so unfortunately another worrying thing about the effects of insomnia is that you can often make yourself ill.

Things Which May Help

The best treatment which many women have found is HRT, otherwise known as hormone replacement therapy. It usually stops hot flushes altogether though experts have now claimed that the medication can cause serious health problems. So, for many women the dilemma has been either come off the HRT or possibly develop a serious health problem.

If you want to try something other than HRT, there are things which you can do. Drinking a relaxing drink before bed is always a good idea. Something such as camomile tea will help to relax and calm you and that could help to send you off into a deep sleep. Warm milk is also good, as is a drink such as Horlicks.

As hot flushes are generally one of the main reasons why you often suffer from insomnia, keeping the room cool is also a great idea. The cooler the room, the less affected you will be if you do have a hot flush during the night and it might not necessarily wake you up either!

Finally, doing things such as counting slowly and tensing and relaxing your muscles will really help to release any stress and tension within the body. That will keep the body calmer and therefore you are more likely to sleep.

Your hormones do tend to make you slightly more irritable during the menopause so by keeping yourself as calm and relaxed as possibly you will be helping to combat symptoms such as insomnia.

Menopause And Nutrition