Sleep during menopause: evidence-based help

Sleep disruption is the symptom many menopausal women rate most disabling. Falling asleep is harder. Staying asleep is harder. Night sweats wake you, then you can't get back. Daytime cognition suffers, mood suffers, everything suffers.

Why it happens

Falling oestrogen affects core temperature regulation, sleep architecture, and the neurotransmitter systems involved in sleep onset. Hot flushes during the night break sleep continuity. Anxiety and racing thoughts at 3am are common.

What helps

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the most evidence-based non-medical intervention and works well in this population. Hormone therapy helps many women, particularly when night sweats are the major driver. Some non-hormonal medical options can also help. Sleep hygiene matters but isn't usually enough alone.

Full article coming soon. [Take the menopause assessment](/quiz/menopause) to discuss your specific sleep pattern with a doctor.

This is general health information and not medical advice. Your doctor will discuss your specific situation during a consultation.