Sleep is a cornerstone of good health and if you’re not sleeping well, that’s going to impact your whole life. Sleep issues during menopause are even more complicated, because there are hormones involved. Revive Medical Center knows how frustrating it can be to have trouble sleeping, so here’s why menopause might be at the root of your sleep problems.
Hormone Changes
Hormonal changes, particularly the ones during perimenopause and menopause, have a big impact on so much of your health. They can also cause you to have more trouble sleeping. Estrogen affects how serotonin works in the sleeping and waking cycle. Finding ways to deal with and to manage those hormonal changes can ensure that you get back to sleeping easier every night.
Hot Flashes
Those same hormonal changes can cause something called hot flashes. These are sudden feelings of increased body temperature, which can even include sweating. When hot flashes hit in the middle of the night, they can wake you out of a sound sleep, often dripping in sweat. Hot flashes are often difficult to manage during the day, and at night they can feel impossible. Estrogen plays a role in regulating body temperature, so when those levels drop, hot flashes become more likely.
Sleep Apnea
Drops in certain hormones during perimenopause, especially progesterone, have been linked to an increase in sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing changes. That causes sleep interruptions that you might not even notice. But it does affect the quality of your sleep, and you’ll definitely notice that. Combined with hormonal changes to the sleep/wake cycle, sleep can feel elusive.
Depression and Anxiety
Hormonal changes can lead to anxiety and even depression, but lack of sleep can also contribute. In a cruel twist of fate, depression and anxiety can make sleep harder to get. Medications can help, but natural treatments for anxiety and depression can also help. Avoiding too much caffeine, eating a healthy diet, and exercising earlier in the day can all work toward reducing stress levels, therefore having a positive impact on anxiety and depression. Treating hormonal issues can also make a difference.
Having a tough time sleeping and dealing with menopause at the same time? Revive Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA may be able to help more than you might think. Give us a call today and we can take a closer look at what your sleep issues are and give you options that can get your sleep issues under better control.
