Perimenopause,sleep and HRT

[Funfuntimes12]

Sorry about the length of this!Hi I’m 45 been on HRT for 3years I’ve tried 3 different types and I’ve finally found one that quashed my anxiety (yay). Before I started HRT my anxiety was crazy bad and I couldn’t sleep it was 3hrs a night bad. Consequently I read how bad not having sleep long term was just to freak me out even more (not helpful) after speaking to my menopause doctor was reassured that was referring to life long insomniacs. With my HRT I’m sleeping 7-8 hrs a night now but I still have disturbances when I have a hormone shift at ovulation and around my period and I panic a bit still. My sister is 19 months older and get it a bit around these times (less than me as her cycle has become longer). So after all that can anyone relate to this I just feel more reassured when I know I’m not the only one! Much love to you all at this stage of change it a tricky time and can be really hard. X

I started HRT for the same symptoms as you describe and am now sleeping same as you, so I can relate. I am very very sure that you have not suffered long term damage from the period of insomnia, honestly.

Thanks for posting that ❤️ I get 5-6 hours on a bad night it’s just a bit triggering when I have it reminds me of the bad old days. My husband is a star he tells me to remember how far I’ve come but that voice in the head can keep sneaking up on me telling me there’s something to worry about. X

I know what you mean about it being triggering. I still have my cycles in the "background" (I've got a Mirena too, so no periods) and on the key 1 - 2 nights of the month when sleep isn't great, I get scared that it's all coming back and it's horrible (which of course is not great for dropping off, right?). My husband is also super kind about it - he remembers what it was like, waking up to me crying at 4.30am because I'm still awake. It was like an illness.

A private GP consultation might be worth the investment to put your mind at rest, if it's really disturbing you. My DH had a struggle a few years ago when he had a health trigger that made him afraid he had a particular catastrophic disease. It was in his head, but it really scared him, and an appointment with a private GP was really helpful. He needed a doctor - not a therapist - to listen to him and, give him some time and take him seriously (she identified the psychological root cause in 5 minutes flat).

Have you cut out sugar and alcohol?

@kelsaycobbles
i don’t drink (haven’t for 10 years and eat healthy. Its definitely cycle related I did all the cutting out and sleep hygiene it just made it more stressful. Thanks for the advice. I really am looking for reassurance that it’s normal. Thanks again x

@Passerillage
Thank you so much so helpful to know I’m not the only one. I feel we could be Peri twins. That oh no it’s happening again feel is so counterproductive. I get annoyed with myself. I just need to break the worry cycle and just go to bed like I used to without checking the time. Honestly googling has been damaging for me. Thank you for the info regarding your husband too. That is an option I’m very interested in and I have access to private healthcare so I’m going to investigate that. Thanks so much again. X

As a lifelong insomniac, you should quit worrying. The odd few days where you sleep rubbish will not kill you. I haven’t slept all the way through a night since I was a teenager. I dread to think how it will affect me in the future as nothing has helped and I accept that on the nights I only wake once or twice that they are good nights. I struggle through most days to be honest and always feel tired.
If you wake up and struggle to get back to sleep, try slowing your breathing down and breath in slowly for 3 and out for 4 and concentrate on that. I’ve found that helpful sometimes.