Menopause is the phase of a woman's life where she no longer produces the hormones estrogen and progesterone, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Because a woman does not produce these hormones, she is no longer able to conceive. As the body adjusts to its changing needs and the absence of these hormones, adverse side effects, such as hot flashes, sweating and sleep problems, can develop. Because lack of sleep can result in daytime sleepiness and trouble concentrating, this can pose a health concern for some women.
Significance
According to Reader's Digest.com, 61 percent of women between the ages of 45 and 51 say they have difficulty going to or staying asleep several nights a week. Menopause interrupts sleep because the hormone and biological clock functions are on the same cycle. When your hormones are out of blaance, such as when you experience menopause, this affects the brain's natural rhythms that control sleep. Because women also experience adverse health effects, such as hot flashes, during menopause, these flashes can wake you up at night, making it difficult to stay asleep.
Effects
A variety of adverse health effects are associated with menopause and the reduction in hormones estrogen and progesterone. These include hot flashes, which result because estrogen helps to regulate body temperature; mood swings, which can be related to sleep loss; and vaginal dryness, which is an effect of reduced presence of estrogen in the body.
The reduction in hormones also can increase your risk for osteoporosis and can cause changes to the breasts, according to University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.
Warning
Because menopause can be a challenging time for a woman's health and is marked by many changes, you may experience mood changes and even depression. For this reason, it's important to engage in behaviors that reduce stress and receive the emotional support of family and friends, according to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.
Prevention
Lifestyle modifications may help in reduce menopause side effects that can affect sleep, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Some activities that can help you sleep better include wearing loose, breathable fabrics and clothing to bed; keeping your bedroom at a cool temperature; and refraining from eating spicy foods. All can help to prevent hot flashes that could lead to sleep interruption.
Solution
A number of medication therapies are available to compensate for the sudden loss of hormones during menopause. For example, hormone replacement therapy can be prescribed that replaces estrogen, progesterone or a combination of both. Delivery methods for this include pills, patches or vaginal creams, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This medication can help to reduce menopause symptoms, but has been linked with serious, adverse side effects, such as having an increased breast cancer risk. If you opt not to take hormone replacements, engaging in lifestyle behaviors to reduce symptoms may be effective.
Member Comments