Why Menopause Affects Sleep

Hormone changes that occur during menopause can disrupt normal sleep cycles. Declines in estrogen commonly cause hot flashes and night sweats that can abruptly wake you up from a deep sleep. Anxiety and depression are also very common and can make it difficult to “turn off the brain” and get a good restful and restorative night’s sleep. Joint Pain and bladder problems also increase.

During menopause, you are likely to awaken suddenly for a multitude of reasons, and falling back asleep can be very difficult. Melatonin is the hormone that helps us fall asleep naturally reduces with age in all sexes; however, it also reduces in menopausal women because it is closely linked to estrogen and progesterone levels.

Animal studies have shown an inhibitory action of melatonin in the synthesis of female gonadal hormones.

Melatonin is strongly associated with light energy and it is very important to consider and modify the lighting around you as you attempt to sleep. In fact, lighting may be the single most important factor to consider with regard to melatonin.

How To Improve Menopause Related Sleep Problems

Hormone Replacement Therapy

A very traditional treatment that can be in the form of a pill, patch, or vaginal cream that contains estrogen and is sometimes combined with progesterone. HRT has been proven to help reduce the occurrences of hot flashes, night sweats, chronic pain, mood, and bladder problems related to menopausal hormone changes.

Antidepressants

This is another common option for those with less severe symptoms or for those who choose not to use HRT. Low doses of fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil), venlafaxine (Effexor), gabapentin, etc. have been shown to help those in menopause get a better night’s sleep

Non-Medical Steps To Improve Sleep

There are a number of non-medication steps you can take to help you stay cooler at night and get a great night of restful sleep:

Wear lightweight loose natural fiber cloths like cotton
Keep temperatures cool and well ventilated
Avoid certain foods (spicy foods) before bedtime
Keep a regular bedtime schedule
Do not watch TV, eat, or read while in bed

Exercise regularly (not right before bedtime)
Avoid excessive caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine
Try not to take naps during the day
Make sure your bladder is empty before lying down in bed

Well Theory’s Restful Sleep Gummies

Melatonin has demonstrated a general improvement in mood and sleep quality with modulation of depression as well for peri and menopausal women. This would seem to suggest that melatonin supplementation or replacement can help with many symptoms of menopause. However, melatonin has not been found to be definitely helpful with vasomotor symptoms. Melatonin has some anti-estrogenic effects. It interferes with receptors for estrogen. It inhibits enzymes that convert androgens to estrogens. It also decreases estradiol levels.

For sleep, dosing ranges from 1-10mg and up to 250mg (physiologic). It is recommended to take it 30 minutes before bedtime.

Supplementing with melatonin can help replace the reduction of natural melatonin your body produces. Our Restful Sleep Gummies are not just any old sleep aid. Dr. Meredith Warner formulated these gummies to help fight off oxidative stress and inflammation on top of improving sleep quality!

This formula contains tart cherry extract, melatonin, GABA, and chamomile extract. Tart Cherry Extract reduces inflammation and provides essential antioxidants to support your body’s fight against oxidative stress. It also contains natural levels of melatonin to support a healthy sleep cycle. Melatonin is actually one of the strongest antioxidants our bodies make. GABA, Chamomile Extract, and Melatonin work to gently re-establish a healthy circadian rhythm, promote calm & relaxation & more.