Menopause and Insomnia - A Woman's Nightmare

Insomnia and menopause are individually unpleasant ailments to say the least, but when suffered together they become a terrible combination.

Although unrelated in physiological terms, menopause and insomnia have a real nuisance value when occurring together. History has taught us that reaching that mature age can be an upsetting time for many women.

Modern treatments have certainly helped to reduce the effects of menopause, however, the physical changes which inevitably unfold as menstruation stops is still liable to produce some small degree of discomfort.

Most women learn to cope with these challenges, especially if they have doctors and confidantes with whom they can discuss such personal matters freely. Others may feel a bit overwhelmed, and literally lose sleep over the matter.

There may be a vicious cycle between menopause and insomnia. Inadequate and poor quality rest makes any individual irritable and out of sorts during the day, a change which is also a common feature of menopause. Comments and suggestions by others may increase the discomfiture of women struggling with the fact that they have passed reproductive age, and add to their troubles at night.

The abrupt withdrawal of estrogen is a major development in its own right, and missing out on restful sleep at night only aggravates the situation for older women. There could be times when some individuals feel entirely alone and lost in these trying circumstances.

Take a Stance Against Menopause and Insomnia!

Many women, who are unfamiliar with the physiology of reproduction, and the interactions of hormones, feel almost guilty as their bodies and ways of thinking change after they stop menstruating. Ignorance is the common fodder on which menopause and insomnia feed.

Insomnia is even worse because one may suffer indefinitely before realizing that something has changed in a sleep pattern. Not everyone is aware on awakening, of sleep disturbances at night, and this is another reason for those women who sleep alone, or with reticent partners, to be unaware that they may suffer from insomnia.

Women must help doctors fight their menopause and insomnia. There is no need to suffer. A gynecological examination is a must at menopause in any event, and this is also the right occasion to find out from the doctor about what bodily changes to expect, and how to deal with them. This information should confine all traces of anxiety to the wilderness, banishing insomnia in the process.

A doctor can also refer a woman to a psychiatrist should additional evaluation for insomnia be indicated. Women are best advised to discuss matters fully and freely with their doctors, so that they continue to live and to sleep well after menopause.

Exercise and Fresh Air Can Help

Where possible a regular daily exercise plan, preferably in the fresh air, can benefit many of the women who have reached menopausal age and at the same time help to overcome insomnia. 

An extremely helpful exercise program is yoga as you can benefit from the relaxation and stretching exercises that are a part of a yoga program.  Not only will this type of exercise help you with menopause and insomnia, it also gives you a sense of peace and overall wellbeing.

Remember you are not alone.  Take that first step and ask for help!

In the meantime here is a natural remedy you may wish to try.  A great alternative to drug therapy.