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Sleep Interruption in Menopause

Sleep interruption during peri-menopause and menopause is caused by a host of factors including night sweats, hot flashes, restless legs, frequent urination, muscular and joint discomfort as well as stress that all contribute to unsatisfactory rest.

  1. Menopause Associated with Poor Sleep

    • According to WebMD.com, sleep disorders increase significantly after menopause. Menopause is routinely associated with poor sleep quality, which may be the outcome of both psychological factors as well as hormones that are in flux. If a woman is having hot flashes, it may cause her to wake up. Before the hot flash occurs, the temperature of the body rises, which usually rouses a woman from sleep because it feels like being in an inferno. Even if the hot flashes do not completely wake her, it will affect her enough to lift her out of a deep, restful stage of sleep into a lighter, less restorative phase. Some menopausal women will experience hot flashes for a year while others will have them for up to five years. Hot flashes may not interfere significantly with sleep time but they certainly mess up sleep quality and can result in fatigue the next day.

    Other Occurrences

    • If a woman is emotionally upset, she may have a hard time relaxing and falling asleep, which cuts into her rest time. Some menopausal women report dreaming excessively and tossing and turning a lot. If you are getting up several times during the night to go to the bathroom, this is considered a good indicator of disturbed sleep quality.

    Breathing Disorders; Lack of Serotonin

    • When a woman's hormones decline during menopause, this may result in sleep-disordered breathing, such as snoring. Many women do not start snoring until they are in menopause. This can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). When estrogen declines, there is also a decrease in serotonin, which is needed to produce melatonin, which is the sleep hormone.

    Not Unusual

    • The Sleep Foundation points out that sleep problems are often the outcome of anxiety and depression, which many women experience during this time of their lives. Menopause is a major transition in a woman's life. There are numerous physical and emotional challenges that must be met. Women report the most sleep problems during this phase of their life. As many as 61 percent of post-menopausal women complain of insomnia problems.

    What To Do

    • If you are having sleep difficulties, dress for bed in lightweight clothing, avoid heavy blankets and, if necessary, turn on a fan or air conditioner to increase air circulation. Do not drink caffeine or alcohol before bedtime, and avoid acidic and spicy foods that may cause hot flashes. Try to get some physical exercise every day, which will wear you out and help you sleep better.

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