perimenopause & insomnia

[Sapphire1701]

hi, wondering if anyone else experiences insomnia in perimenopause. Each cycle once I get past ovulation until my period comes, I am really struggling to sleep. In waking several times with sweats, hot flushes or feeling highly anxious. It’s usually about 3/4am.

I’ve struggled with HRT & also have rheumatoid arthritis which then flares from mid cycle onwards.

im waiting to have the mirena fitted, but needs to be under general anaesthetic. And will then again try with oestrogen HRT on top.

does anyone else experiential & if so did HRT help? I’m at my wits end,. My cycle atm is only about 20 days, of which about 11 or 12 days are pretty hell ish.

Thank you

[Jellytots2004]

Hi there , I’m glad I’m not the only one that is having the same as you have just stated .

I have a couple of weeks of good sleep ( all night ) and then as soon as I have my cycle (2 days ) 🤦‍♀️I don’t sleep for the next 2 weeks . I’m on patches and tablets again awaiting to have the coil fitted under general anaesthetic just like you only because I don’t do tablets so the coil was another option.

I’m with you on everything , this going through the change is not a bundle of fun that’s for sure . Hope you get sorted soon xx

[Sapphire1701 in reply to Jellytots2004]

Wow so similar.. bless you, it’s awful isn’t it. Feel like I’m going crazy at times and no-one really cares or validates it as a thing! I’m exactly the same, but about 10 days of normal sleep, then 10 days of night waking.

Wish there was a magic wand for us all. Thank you for sharing and best wishes to you also xxx

[london81]

I’ve found using l theanine, magnesium and listening to yoga nidra on you tube helpful I used to wake 3-4 times now I sleep right through

I’m also in peri menopause

[TooManyTablets]

Hi Sapphire1701, sorry you're also suffering with insomnia.

My doctor has given me a three month trial of 100mg Utrogestan capsules ( micronized progesterone) and an estradiol transdermal spray. I'm really hoping this helps my insomnia as the Utrogestan is supposed to help with sleep and reduce anxiety. I also have terrible brain fog/poor memory, more aches and pains than ever, occasional sweats/hot flushes, irritably and plenty of weight gain. I also take magnesium supplements and have reduced my caffeine.

I think I'm probably in the early stages of Perimenopause as my period cycle is usually every 24-26 days.

I really hope you find something that works for you soon, xxx

[Lizzo30]

Do you take evening primrose oil ? It's good for balancing hormones,bringing on your period - take it a week before you are due on also it's good for arthritis The other thing evening primrose oil is good for is womb health - preventing endometrial hyperplasia - it sheds the womb lining they used to use it for post term babies so should never be taken during pregnancy

If you go on HRT the estrogen will most likely stop your arthritis the mirena coil is a contraceptive and used like progesterone to stop endometrial hyperplasia but it isn't a bioidentical progesterone like for example utrogestan I see toomanytablets posted to say she is being prescribed it so she is lucky not all GP s prescribe utrogestan I would not have the mirena coil but many women do

I take aguaje a potent phytoestrogen and evening primrose oil both help with arthritis I also take GABA which is amazing for arthritis and sleep

Have you tried flaxseed oil ? It promotes progesterone which moderates estrogen

I would be wary of the mirena coil but it's up to you

[Sapphire1701 in reply to Lizzo30]

Hi Lizzo, no I don’t take evening primrose oil, I hadn’t thought of that one actually. Take so many other supplements,, not sure it would help with my RA (which tbh is not really arthritis) but I am on biologics for that which keeps the disease controlled.

I have had the Mirena for last 15 years, just been without it for past year. Always tolerated it ok and it stopped my periods, so we will see. I do appreciate there are pros and cons.

GABA I hadn’t thought of either, so will look at that.

Thank you for sharing x