Send This Site to a Friend
Menopause and Insomnia
Cathy Taylor
Insomnia is a very common symptom reported by numerous women at
the onset of menopause. It is characterized by sleepless nights
and often uncomfortable sleep such as tossing and turning in an
effort to get comfortable. If you are primarily a mentally active
person, it can become very difficult to calm the mind. You feel
restless and irritable. Welcome to the change of life.
Insomniacs sleep is chock-full of waking up at frequent times
during the night, waking up too early, and light sleep where the
ticking of a hand clock may jolt you awake. This condition occurs
during menopause because it is a side-effect of other menopausal
symptoms like hot flashes and general physical and mental
discomfort. When your body is dealing with night sweats, it’s
easy to have your sleep interrupted, which makes it even more
difficult to be sharp and at your best during the day. Consuming
stress-inducing foods loaded with things such as caffeine can
further stimulate tension, so it is important to maintain a
caffeine-free diet. Avoid drinking coffee as late in the day as
possible. Do not over stimulate your nervous system. Release
tension by learning hatha yoga postures or how to breath deeply
and mediate. Try altering your sleep arrangements. If you find
that your pillow is not soft enough, or maybe it’s too elevated
for your head, make adjustments. If you find that the polyester
blankets you’re lying on does not relax the contours of your body
– switch them. It takes effort to accommodate these changes and
make yourself as comfortable as possible.
Exercise also preps the body for restful sleep. Scientific
studies suggest eating fat loaded foods are not recommended
before bedtime. So a steady, healthy is a great plus. Insomnia
can be treated by consuming foods that increase the serotonin
levels in your brain so that your body relaxes. Serotonin is
responsible for aiding with sleep by calming your brain. Drink a
glass of warm milk before bedtime to help calm your nerves.
There are many causes for insomnia that stem from menopause.
Depression is characteristic of this transition and can
negatively influence your sleep. Decreasing estrogen levels can
cause the on-set of depressive symptoms. In the menstrual cycle,
ovulation causes progesterone (which has soothing effects on the
mind and body) to be released. Irregular cycles may cause anxiety
to build-up, as a result of the lack of this ¨happy hormone.¨ For
some people, taking melatonin is enough to get a restful night.
For others, a prescription sleeping pill is necessary. Some women
swear by black cohosh to help with body flushes as well as
natural sources of progesterone.
In any case, it is important to consult with your doctor in order
to decide together what treatment is best for you.
Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over 25 years
experience. She specializes in internet marketing, strategy and
plan development, as well as management of communications and
public relations programs for small business sectors. She can be
reached at Creative Communications: creative-com@cox.net or by
visiting
http://www.internet-marketing-small-business.com
Find More Related Info:
Also See:
Index of
Relationships & Marriage
Women's Health & Women's
Issues
Your Health and Wellness Center
