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Menopause

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Original poster

Lack of sleep is ruining my life. Any advice?

55 replies

desperatelydunin · 29/10/2021 15:09

I’m 47 and for the past year my sleep has got worse and worse. I’m OK falling asleep but wake up a few hours later and am lucky to get the odd 10 minutes after that.
I’ve cut out alcohol and caffeine completely, I don’t eat after 7pm, I exercise intensively every other day and have a long brisk walk every day. I’m literally at the end of my tether.

OP posts:
wildthingsinthenight · 29/10/2021 17:05

Lowering oestrogen levels due to peri menupause I'd imagine. This disrupts sleep.
I sleep badly too. Just started HRT so hoping it improves

Lottapianos · 29/10/2021 17:11

So many women have great success with HRT. Go see your GP with a list of your symptoms. Ask for HRT and do NOT be fobbed off with antidepressants or similar nonsense

wildthingsinthenight · 29/10/2021 17:20

@Lottapianos

So many women have great success with HRT. Go see your GP with a list of your symptoms. Ask for HRT and do NOT be fobbed off with antidepressants or similar nonsense
I second this. Good luck
Allsorts1 · 29/10/2021 17:29

Just in general, a magnesium citrate supplement before bed really did wonders for my own insomnia. Women are often deficient in magnetism and it is a mineral that is required by your body to produce sleep hormones. It also aids digestion.

Redcrayons · 29/10/2021 17:34

The doctor gave me ADs when I first went and I slept like a log with them. Made a massive difference. But it was short term and not really addressing the problem.

I’m On HRT now and I mostly sleep ok. I’m woken by my alarm 3/4 nights a week. Without I would be waking at 4am every single night.

JinglingHellsBells · 29/10/2021 17:35

I've often seen magnesium suggested here, yet we only need around 270-300mgs a day and it's in lots of foods.
magnesium sources

I have quite a high dose of it as I take a calcium supplement (dairy intolerant) which contains 150-300mgs depending on the dose.

I've never noticed it helping with sleep to be honest BUT it is a well-known laxative- so be careful! :)

wildthingsinthenight · 29/10/2021 17:40

I take magnesium and I think I sleep better when I remember it

GoodnightGrandma · 29/10/2021 17:41

Epsom salt bath in the evening, 2 or 3 times a week.

GoodnightGrandma · 29/10/2021 17:55

And a glass of cherry juice early every evening.

WarriorN · 30/10/2021 06:20

Ultimately hrt is supposed to be the most effective but I have found taurine and magnesium glycinate really helpful. I'm not that far into peri though. I also sometimes spray home made mag spray in the morning and at night if I'm extra achey.

www.larabriden.com/benefits-of-taurine-for-womens-health/

www.larabriden.com/rescue-prescription-menopause-perimenopause-feel-better-fast/

Taurine seems to be commonly recommended for sleep when I've looked into it.

ineedahaircuttwo · 09/12/2021 20:12

Someone on here recommended CBD oil and I have found it very good. I don't know if it is a coincidence but my anxiety has improved too.

I order it from Amazon but there is a website and Instagram page as well.

I still have nights where I can't sleep even after taking CBD oil but overall my sleep pattern has improved.

I haven't had any side effects but I know someone who felt lightheaded so please take possible side effects into consideration if you are going to get some CBD oil.

heymammy · 09/12/2021 20:32

@ineedahaircuttwo do you mind me asking which cbd oil you use? I never really know what I'm looking for and my wee mum is a terrible sleeper so I think she should try this.

tootyfruitypickle · 09/12/2021 20:40

I'm 49 and have had bad sleep for over ten years - until I took magnesium at bedtime
It's definitely worked for me. I can't take HRT so pretty pleased!

Luredbyapomegranate · 09/12/2021 20:43

Melatonin helps some people at peri-menopause stage, so might be worth asking about that as well as HRT.

LizzieSiddal · 09/12/2021 20:50

I was exactly the same and was getting desperate. I finally looked properly into HRT and realised it is safe and asked my dr for some. Within two weeks I was back to sleeping through for around 7 hours. It’s made such a difference to me.

Goawayangryman · 09/12/2021 20:54

It's very definitely hormonal. Please don't suffer in silence as I did, and get you some HRT. Not antidepressants if you can help it.

In retrospect I should have done this 3 years ago but I thought I was too young at 43. 3 years later I appear to be in actual menopause. No periods for 6 months. And hey ho, the night sweats and waking at 5am have stopped.

Good luck OP.

Ibizafun · 09/12/2021 20:56

I'm on HRT and just accept that even that only gives me 5-6 hours. If I want more than that a take a Nitol.. not ideal I know.

glasgowLil · 09/12/2021 20:56

Have you tried doing yoga breathing exercises to calm yourself down? I’ve found these really helpful when I’ve had insomnia in the past as I tend to start panicking about not sleeping. One of the most easy and effective exercises is to slowly breathe in for 4 counts, hold your breathe for 4 counts, breathe out for 4, hold your breath for 4 and repeat. If you can extend the count to 5 and then 6. Keep doing it for as long as you can. Normally it helps me go to sleep.
And magnesium can definitely help too and if you have an Epsom salt Bath, you absorb some of it from your skin. If none of these and the other suggestions work, you should talk to your gp about hrt. Good luck! Xx

AdaFuckingShelby · 09/12/2021 21:00

Oestrogen patches have improved my sleep massively. I still have occasional night of poor sleep but mostly I sleep soundly from 10pm til 6am. I was only getting 3 or 4 hours most nights before starting patches, it only took about a week for it to improve. Life changing for me.

RoseHarper · 09/12/2021 21:05

Agree re HRT, only around a month in but the difference has been amazing, better sleep, more energy and feel more like myself in general.

Myheadhurtsstill · 09/12/2021 21:06

Hrt for me too . I deliberated over it for a year but eventually I tried it - definitely helped with sleep , sweats , aching joints and anxiety. I use a patch -

UnaOfStormhold · 09/12/2021 21:20

I'm 2 months into HRT (estrogel/mirena) and my insomnia/night sweats are vastly improved.

ineedahaircuttwo · 09/12/2021 21:25

@heymammy - yes of course. I should have said but couldn't sleep last night even after taking CBD oilSmile

I have been using the Green Stem oral drops. I've tried the black cherry flavour but prefer the strawberry. They do pastilles like sweets as well. I think it is about £16 a bottle from Amazon. The Green Stem website sometimes has offers.

I am on HRT but it hasn't helped my sleep. With the the CBD drops I can usually get a good night's sleep 4 out of 5 nights during the week so it has helped.

Inthemane · 09/12/2021 21:32

I remember a poster in this (fab) thread recommended Kirkland Sleep Aid, which is like a very strong antihistamine and you can buy online.

Here’s the thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/menopause/4416364-The-very-useful-menopause-is-sh-t-hints-and-tips-thread

bungabungaboo · 09/12/2021 21:34

I am trying magnesium, seem to sleep until 4 or 5am then wake needing toilet (probably laxative effect) but getting six straight hours 😉

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