Menopause and Sleep Disturbance

​Do you find yourself up most nights? Frustrated, confused, exhausted, and emotionally tired? 
​Do you wonder why this is happening to you now, at your age, when it’s never happened in the past?
Do you find yourself asking “what is wrong with me?”

Here at IFM we are here to tell you that you’re not alone and that this is a very common complaint of menopausal and post menopausal women. Complaints of insomnia rise significantly during menopause, more than other stages of life and can occur with other disorders or medical conditions that go undiagnosed; obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), restless leg syndrome (RLS), and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression to name a few.

There are many different ways to treat symptoms but it’s important to talk with your provider and the IFM team who can assess all of the factors, make a suitable plan designed just for you and help alleviate your symptoms. During your conversation with your provider and the IFM team, you might discuss topics and questions including:

• Are you a good candidate for a sleep study? Do you snore? Do you have periods where you or your partner think you stop breathing at times of rest?
• What medications and/or supplements are you taking? What types of medications/supplements have you tried for sleep related symptoms and for how long?
• Do you suffer from anxiety or depression? Are you under heavy stress with work, family, or have other health related reasons as to why you worry? Have there been any recent life events that have taken place that might affect your mood?
• Do you see a therapist now or have you in the past? How often do you see them?
• Would you be a good candidate for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
• Do you get regular exercise? What is your diet like? Do you consume caffeine daily?

Causes of sleep disturbance during menopause can be multifactorial. Women are not created equal so finding the right treatment plan for each person is very individualized. What works for one may not work for another. It may take time and can cause feelings of frustration and helplessness. It’s important to stay on track and be patient with your provider's guidance and the IFM team to help find the right approach for you; give each suggestion and treatment time. We as a society look for quick fixes when we need to give our bodies and minds time to adjust. 

You can take charge of your overall health! You know your body best and it’s our job to be there to help guide you in the process. Let us be there for you! You don’t have to live with sleep disturbance. It’s truly a team approach here and we want to help. At Integrative Family Medicine we truly want to help and it’s important to us to make sure that you are living the happiest, healthiest, symptom free life that you can.