PERIMENOPAUSE is often a time when women (who have had no problem’s sleeping in the past) find it impossible to spend the whole night asleep.
Here are 3 reasons why sleeplessness occurs during perimenopause:
1. Reduction in production of reproductive hormones (estrogen & progesterone) These hormones increase serotonin levels and create a relaxing/sedating effect in our bodies so when they are lacking, we often have difficulty falling asleep AND can wake us up in the middle of the night.
2. Liver overload –- sometimes caused by liver’s inability to process alcohol.
3. Anxiety and/or depression – often for the first time a woman will experience some form of anxiety or depression during perimenopause. There are many stresses in a woman’s life at this time and the fact you are having problems sleeping causes even more anxiety and stress thus perpetuating the cycle.
Check out my other posts for tips on how to deal with sleep disorders and get you back in the land of nod without the need to count thousands of sheep!
