Most of the causes of insomnia are psychological disorders, medications that have been taken previously, caffeine loaded beverages, sugar, or food that the individual has consumed before bedtime. Many people are unaware, however that insomnia can be a caused by fluctuations or irregularities of the hormones present in the woman's body during menopause.



Insomnia, where a person cannot sleep, or has trouble sleeping is a big problem for some people. Insomnia can be very debilitating if it persists because without a proper amount of sleep many people become anxious, depressed, and agitated.

Menopause is the phase in a woman's life where she ceases to have her monthly menstruation due to advancing age. The ovaries of the woman stops producing estrogen at around 40 or 50 years of age as this is the onset of menopause. Estrogen is necessary for the reproductive system to function normally. The lack of estrogen gradually stops the reproductive system from functioning.

Insomnia during menopause or menopause insomnia manifests itself as the disability to sleep continuously through the night. Some women often sleep initially but then wake up some time later only to have a hard time falling back to sleep.

More often, these episodes are immediately followed by night sweat or a feeling of warmness or hotness. Some times the menopause insomnia might manifest itself as sleep anxiety disorder or a vivid nightmare that disturbs the dreamer's sleep. At times, the woman just wakes up for no reason at all.

One possibility that researchers have put forward regarding menopause insomnia is the disability of the body to maintain a regular body temperature during menopause. This is due to hormone irregularities. The hot flash is what could be preventing the woman from sleeping although it may not seem so to her at that time. Hot flashes are an uncomfortable feeling or heat or warmth that can occur anytime of the day.

Hormone fluctuations during menopause can also cause anxiety attacks and depression that in turn can affect your ability to sleep well. These anxieties can bother women to an extent that they obsess about them, preventing them from having a good night's sleep. Menopause insomnia can therefore be blamed on the hormonal changes that your body is going through.

There are several alternative solutions to menopause insomnia like herbal teas and aromatherapy. These promote better sleeping habits and help in making sleep better.

Alternative remedies sometimes work for others but not for others. Menopause insomnia can also be treated using medication, although it is better to stick to more natural treatments for your health and safety.

If for some reason, natural remedies don't work because the anxiety, depression or insomnia is too severe, then medication may be necessary. However, make sure that you try natural remedies first and then ask your doctor about the possible medications that might help you.

You also need to find out about the possible side effects of these medications and realize that medication is only a temporary solution. It is not healthy to rely on a pill to help you sleep for the rest of your life.