Insomnia From Menopause/Hysterectomy
Women who are going through menopause VERY frequently complain of sleep problems in addition to other typical symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. Insomnia and also sleep disturbances caused by hot flashes leave many menopausal women tossing and turning or waking up drenched in sweat. The next day, irritability, anxiousness, fatigue, and trouble concentrating plague you all day.
Good Sleep becomes unattainable. You stay up at night making lists, fretting, and feeling miserable and wondering “What is wrong with me?” Nothing! You just need a hormone adjustment or tweak.
During the course of perimenopause through menopause, a woman's ovaries gradually decrease production of estrogen and progesterone which is a sleep-promoting hormone. The shifting of ratios of hormones can be an unsettling process and lead to insomnia. Melatonin hormone levels also fall during this time.
There are 2 ways of becoming menopausal. Natural menopause and Surgical menopause (hysterectomy) Natural menopause is experienced in the course of aging.
Surgical menopause occurs when you have had a hysterectomy.
Both groups are prone to insomnia but studies have found that women who experience surgical menopause often experience more psychological and physical difficulties compared to women who transition through menopause naturally. Why? Because you went through menopause in 1 day versus over a period of years!
Women who go thru Surgical Menopause report significantly worse sleep quality and shorter sleep duration. These women had an OVER 2 times higher likelihood of having insomnia that ended up with them being given sleep drugs.
In fact, both types of menopause often end up with the women being given sleeping pills which do NOT solve anything. They just “knock you out” I urge you, don’t address your sleep vulnerability this way. If you do not get your proper sleep, all of your hormones will suffer. Use your natural bio-identical hormones, especially progesterone and give Melatonin a try.
Melatonin is the “Sleep Hormone” and it is bio-identical. I personally take 3 mg per night and I love it. Have you tried Melatonin in the past with no results?
1) You did not give it enough time to reset your circadian rhythm. In some people (like my darling husband), it can take 4-6 weeks. So be consistent
2) Try a different version – there is a time release version and a very nice chew able version
Somno-Pro Melatonin Time Release 5mg
Hormones reset at night. Get your good, long, peaceful sleep!
Email me or call for my Insomnia Handout.
I want Sweet sleep for you. It is promised in the Bible:
Psalm 3:24 “You will lie down and your sleep will be sweet” Don’t accept insomnia…It is not inevitable.
Warmly, Barbara