Insomnia and menopause can mean night after night of either completely sleepless nights or broken sleep with lots of tossing and turning, as finding a comfortable position seems like an insurmountable challenge. Those women who have active minds often find themselves in mental overdrive when they are experiencing insomnia and menopause, and have no way to apply the internal brakes.

Insomnia and menopause mean having only snatches of sleep each night, or awakening three hours before the alarm is due to sound and not being able to fall asleep gain, or sleeping so lightly that the slightest sound can awaken you. Insomnia and menopause go hand in hand because of the hormonal changes which lead to hot flashes and, I n particular, night sweats. Given the discomfort of night sweats, it is no surprise that menopause results in insomnia.

What To Avoid And What To Do

Insomnia and menopause can be exacerbated by the use of caffeine close to bedtime. If you must use caffeine during your menopausal years, try to limit its use to the very early part of your day. Try to find a relaxation technique like yoga, meditation, or visualization to practice at bedtime. If you have no opportunity for a relaxation session, try using a potpourri pot with lavender for its soothing aroma, or drinking a cup of chamomile tea.

Gentle but regular exercise done each day can do enough to take the edge off and let you drift away at night. And you can try the nutritional approach by adding serotonin providing foods like yogurt, bananas, neat, fish, and cheese to your diet. Serotonin is neurotransmitter which regulates mood and anxiety disorders and may have a calming effect which combats insomnia and menopause. Something as simple as a glass of warm mild at bedtime may be enough to do the trick.

The decrease in the body’s production of estrogen and cessation of ovulation which is the underlying cause of menopause can lead to depression, which is in turn a factor in the onset of insomnia. When ovulation becomes irregular, so does the body’s production of the soothing hormone progesterone. Some women compensate for their lack of progesterone by using melatonin as a sleep aid; and others swear by the herb black cohosh to help regulate body temperature and reduce night sweats.

Insomnia during menopause is almost a given; but there are plenty of natural, and even pharmaceuticals, with which you can overcome it. As soon as you have experienced as many sleepless nights as you care to, talk to your doctor about the insomnia treatment you need.

You can also find more info on natural menopause remedies and seeking menopause relief. Menopausesymptomshelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Menopase Symptoms.