Menopause insomnia – what you can do to get some sleep!

Whether you want to hear this or not, one of the worse symptoms of aging and being a woman is menopause insomnia.  Some women find it difficult to sleep due to the overwhelming feeling from night sweats.  Tossing and turning can result which means no one in the bed is likely getting any sleep.  Recent studies however have indicated that menopause insomnia may not all be a result of night sweats.

In fact, menopause insomnia may be caused by a drop in serotonin, a brain chemical.  This decrease in serotonin is connected to the decreasing estrogen levels in women who are going through menopause.  Some women experience a significant increase in insomnia when going through menopause.  This lack of sleep can also be linked to other menopausal symptoms including fatigue, anxiety and increased levels of stress.

Here are a few tips to try if you suffer from menopause insomnia:

• Have a warm drink before bed - milk or a herbal tea are great
• Avoid alcohol or caffeine
• Have a warm shower before bedtime
• Turn the heat down in the bedroom before turning in for the night
• Exercise daily, just not right before bed
• Reduce the amount of fatty foods consumed
• Avoid hot, spicy foods

If you are getting next to no sleep, you may want to consult your doctor for more sleeping tips.