Linsomnia mainly affects women. At least 50% suffer from it in different forms: some are late in falling asleep, others have frequent awakenings during the night, others have an easy awakening because they are “always on the alert”. Still others wake up very early and then during the day are tired, exhausted, and their quality of life suffers a lot. It is also known that in menopause, around the age of 50, usually those who already suffered from sleep disorders may have a worsening of the situation. We talked about it with the Professor Luigi Ferini Strambi, head of the Sleep Medicine Center of the IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital in Milan and Full Professor of Neurology at the Faculty of Psychology of the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University of Milan.
Insomnia in menopause: the role of hot flashes
Insomnia, frequent awakenings and early awakenings. When to worry and can you do something? «In menopause they are often the hot flashes causing sleep fragmentation (intermediate insomnia), sweating leads to awakening.
Also the change in mood and a tendency to depression often lead to terminal insomnia (early in the morning). We become more irritable or anxious and this causes a problem of slackening of the onset of sleep ”, explains Professor Luigi Ferini Strambi.
Less progesterone? This is why snoring starts after age 50
«By decreasing progesterone which has a major effect on breathing, you can start to breathe and snore. In addition, by gaining weight, especially on the abdomen and neck, apneas can be favored ”, explains Professor Luigi Ferini Strambi.
Because sleeping badly and / or little is bad for your health
«Suffering from sleep disturbances hurts because the sleep serves to inhibit cortisol, lower blood pressure and heart rate. Then the strengthening of the immune system: if you sleep badly, fewer antibodies are produced. Studies show that those who sleep well heal better from covid. Those who get vaccinated and sleep well in the nights around the vaccination develop more antibodies, ”adds the expert.
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Why can I feel pain in my legs at night to the point of waking up?
“It’s the so-called Restless Legs Syndrome, which is not so much linked to menopause but increases over the years, especially among women. The cause may be the very low ferritin and iron, syndrome linked to a problem of non-response adequate to the drop in dopamine in the evening hours. In 30% of cases it manifests itself with pain in the lower limbs and the need to move the legs ”, explains Ferini Strambi.
Insomnia in Menopause: What Really Works?
«On the one hand, the fact of maintain a good rhythm of sleep and wakefulness. Often there are more disorders in premenopause, when the body is looking for a new hormonal balance. Then we adapt. Hot flashes typically last a few months and then pass. It takes a lot of nutrition, not drinking alcohol. If there are no contraindications, HRT therapy can greatly help control sleep disturbances, ”says the expert.
Vitamin D deficiency and sleep disturbances: is there a link?
“Yes, various sleep pathologies can also depend on a Vitamin D deficiency. Like restless legs, sleep apnea”.
Melatonin: when and how to use it
Which Melatonin Dosage Is Really Helpful To Promote Good Sleep? “Sometimes the Magnesium manages to create positive conditioning for sleep. If you don’t stay at your PC or smartphone even in the evening, melatonin produces itself. It can usually be used for the elderly or those with delayed sleep or for those with a REM sleep behavior disorder (violent dreams). According to international guidelines, Melatonin is not among the recommended sleep products. Instead it serves contact your doctor if you need to use a real drug for a short time and in low doses. If you wait too long, your insomnia stabilizes»Advises the expert.
When are anxiolytics and sleeping pills recommended?
«No to do-it-yourself, you have to talk to your doctor. Who will assess whether it is appropriate to take a targeted drug or something else. For menopause, hormone replacement therapy helps a lot. A new drug based on orexin receptors, a wake neuromediator responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle. Up to now, benzodiazepine drugs have been used, while these new ones try to fight orexin and are more effective ”, explains the expert.
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