Menopause is a natural life event that happens to every woman in her lifetime. It can occur any time between the ages of 40 and 55. In some cases, earlier or later. While some women seem to breeze through menopause with few troubling symptoms, others may experience mild discomfort or even life altering sensations that make this phase difficult to cope with. One of the more common symptoms is insomnia. If it becomes severe, it can cause daytime sleepiness, irritability, trouble concentrating and going about daily tasks. There are things that you can do to treat effectively insomnia that is related to menopause.
Menopause signs
The menopause sign are generally irregular menstrual periods that eventually end altogether. Other common symptoms include hot flushes, nervousness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, headaches and disruption in sleep patterns. The duration and severity of these signs varies from woman to woman. Some hardly notice them while others may have difficulty coping with the discomfort.
Causes of menopausal insomnia
During menopause, a woman's body is undergoing drastic hormonal changes. Estrogen and progesterone levels tend to lower with occasional spikes as the ovulation phase nears its end. These hormones influence the production of other compounds within the body's chemistry. Feelings of anxiety are common and these can be a contributing factor to night time insomnia. Some women find it difficult to relax prior to bed time. In addition, some women experience hot flushes along with night sweats, racing heart and palpitations. These symptoms can wreak havoc on the sleep schedule. Hormonal imbalances are the main culprit for menopausal insomnia and the emotional impact of the end of child bearing ability can compound the problem.
Treatment for insomnia
There are a few different ways to approach treatment for menopausal insomnia. Since the issue is generally related to hormonal imbalances, hormone replacement therapy most often provides relief. The traditional method which relies upon synthetically manufactured estrogen and progesterone replacement is effective for most women, but there are associated risks. It can increase the likelihood of developing certain cancers and cardiac related health issues. This type of treatment stimulates the body chemistry into responding as though it is still producing estrongen and progesterone at previous levels, so other related functions respond in kind and the symptoms are reduced or eliminated. Not all women are candidates for this type of therapy, but there are alternatives.
Natural hormone replacement therapy
Herbal remedies have been found effective in treating insomnia in menopausal women. Plants containing phytoestrogens are useful in helping to restore hormonal balances. Soy beans are a rich source of these compounds. Plants high in phytoestrogens are used to extract these compounds, concentrate them and create natural supplements that work in the same manner as traditional hormone replacement therapies, except without the associated health risks. Many women opt for this treatment method when HRT is not recommended in their particular cases.
How natural remedies work?
Natural treatments using phytoestrogens are not as strong as regular HRT, but more highly concentrated doses can be as effective for some women. These compounds cause the body to respond as it did prior to the onset of menopause. Night sweats, nervousness and anxiety are generally lessened because the body chemistry returns to a more normal state with fewer spikes and valleys with regard to hormone levels. Fewer sleep disruptions occur and this allows women to achieve deeper levels of sleep for longer periods of time.
Other methods of treating menopausal insomnia
In addition to herbal supplements with phytoestrogens, there are other ways to treat menopausal insomnia. Exercise in the afternoon can help to get the systems in the body working at higher levels for a better night's sleep. Controlling your diet is also important for putting insomnia in check. Avoid foods that stimulate the central nervous system. For example, avoid caffeine late in the day because it can lead to anxiety and difficulty in falling asleep. Try taking warm showers or baths instead of hot ones, and if hot flushes are an issue, cut back on the use of hot tubs and spicy hot foods and beverages prior to bed time. Identifying your triggers for hot flushes and avoiding them can help in reducing insomnia. They may vary from woman to woman so you may want to keep track of activities or foods/drinks that tend to set them off.
Aromatherapy is another remedy that is effective in reducing anxiety and inducing sleepiness near bed time. Lavender, chamomile and Valerian are excellent choices that contain compounds that help to promote relaxation and sleepiness. Drinking a glass of chamomile tea does the trick for some women. Watch the sugar intake and if you must have sweetness, consider using a small amount of honey.
Conclusion
There is no good reason to suffer from menopausal insomnia when effective treatments are available. The more natural the treatment, the better for your long term health. A few lifestyle changes may be all that is needed to regulate your sleep patterns. The best remedy for you depends on the severity of the symptoms and what you are most comfortable with. With so many options available, you can find the combination of approaches that works the best for you.
References
https://www.behance.net/gallery/32807421/Does-Menopause-increase-risk-of-diabetes
http://www.medicalmingle.com/dorismburu/blog/2016/01/12/are_periods_related_to_age_of_menopause_onset
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