Sleep and Menopause

About Menopause

• There are an estimated 46 million post-menopausal women in the US
• Menopause is the time in your life when your period ends and a number of hormonal, behavioral and social changes take place

Most women enter menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. During menopause, your ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone. You are considered to have completed menopause if you have not had a period for 12 consecutive months. Common side-effects include: 

• Mood changes and depression
• Heightened sensitivity to pain due to fibromyalgia, a disorder of the musculoskeletal system
• Hot flashes and general poor ability to maintain a comfortable temperature
• Sleep disturbances either due to the hormone changes or the side-effects above

The discomfort of the changes that occur with menopause can compromise daytime functioning and quality of life. Treatment options include hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other medication. Recognition and treatment of symptoms associated with menopause improves your ability to transition successfully through this phase of life.

About Sleep and Menopause

• The prevalence of sleep disturbance increases as women enter menopause. The majority (61%) report insomnia (trouble getting to, or staying, asleep)
• Insomnia can exacerbate the symptoms of fibromyalgia and depression, disorders that also occur more commonly with menopause
• The likelihood of sleep apnea and other common sleep disorders such as restless legs syndrome rise significantly during and after menopause

Sleep disruption is one of the major problems that can occur before, during and after menopause. Common sleep disturbances include insomnia (difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or poor quality sleep) and the symptoms of fibromyalgia (frequent awakenings and difficulty falling asleep due to pain). Poor sleep subsequently worsens pain.

Similarly, depression is associated with menopause and can cause difficulty falling asleep and waking up early. Conversely, insomnia also has been found to increase the risk for development of depression or anxiety.

How exactly sleep disturbance and menopause are linked is unclear, but careful assessment and treatment for sleep disorders are key to successful management of the other health-related issues associated with menopause. Treatment for the symptoms of menopause and sleep problems has been shown to be highly effective.

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