Perimenopause sleep

[Mama250]

Hi I’m 44 on HRT which has helped massively with all my symptoms especially anxiety. My question is about sleep. I had a massive problem with it sleeping 3 or 4 hours a night and now I sleep 7-7.5 hours a night except for a couple of nights a month I sleep 5-6 hours . I worry though because at the height of my sleep problems I read lack of sleep can cause heart problems and health problems (obviously the best thing to do when your super anxious 🙄) so when I don’t sleep well I worry. I know it probably sounds silly but I think if I could stop thinking this I would be fine it’s just the last slight bit of worry I would like to disappear!

I’ve not slept properly for about 15 since getting with husband he like radio on or comes to bed late, then my own health issue I catch sleep when I can, I wish for once Dr would give me sleeping pills for a couple of nights just to break the cycle,

OP's obsession about getting more sleep is causing problems (worry).
Actual lack of sleep causes zero problems.

Is that right?

I’m perimenopausal, am on HRT, I find that the 2 weeks that I take the progesterone at night I sleep brilliantly! The other half I sleep
Ok, but not nearly as well. If I’ve had a few rough nights I take melatonin, which works amazingly for me and sort of resets my sleep.

I know it’s not licensed in the uk, I buy it online from a reputable supplier (or a friend buys it when she’s in the states. I don’t feel it’s habit forming (took it for about 3 months straight at the start of the pandemic when my anxiety was out of control!).

I have a strong link with sleep and diet

Cake or a single buiscuit or a small chocolate bar = poor sleep

Still realising this has put a stop to menopausal weight gain 😄

Oh .. mega exercise levels can counteract a chocolate bar ( think hour or so run )

@lljkk
That’s what I’m wondering am I worrying for nothing? I really hope I can just relax about it as I can see lots of women experience this in peri x

@oreosoreosoreos
Thanks that makes me feel better. I have the coil not the progesterone in the way you have it as it made my anxiety spike. I tend to have a few days when I’m coming towards my period but that’s obviously not like it was anywhere from 15-46 day cycles!

I have a mirena and started with Everaol patches around 6 weeks ago. Feel better in every way except still can’t sleep well. Have been like this for a good 10 years and follow every piece of sleep hygiene advice but never get a full night. Drinking or eating less, and dieting, even at a slight deficit, also makes it worse. Like you, I do wonder how much of a problem it is. It’s just so boring though

You have no proof, just a suspicion, that you need more sleep.

If the solution is easy then a bit of worry is useful to quickly find & implement the easy solution.

if the solution is hard (your actual situation) then the worry is harmful. You could get run over by a bus tomorrow and all that worry you pointlessly would have wasted on a situation that you never experienced (any health problems due to lack of sleep).

So the only harm you are experiencing is the harm from worrying -- stop doing that to yourself.

@LucyLatimer
I know what you mean about it being boring I’m fed up of it bothering me. Just hate it invading my brain! A am very fortunate my husband and teen kids are so kind and look after me when I’m worrying. I don’t need to work and meet friends regularly to chat and support each other I know others have it worse.

Yes, the nights just seem endless sometimes. And it’s pretty boring to everyone else, as you say there are bigger problems, but urgh, so annoyibg

Cracked it for me two codeine two paracetamol one ibuprofen hot water bottle for back long one take about 10 at night knocks me out I finally get sleep at night and not lie awake all night. Radio now goes off after 2 I’m sick of having it .he like it

@Holothane
Not helpful

Maybe not for you but it helps me god the bitchiness just lately ion these boards. It’s everywhere think I’ll have break.