Sleep disturbance affects between 40 and 60 per cent of women during the menopause transition. Hormones account for some of it. Age, mood and undiagnosed sleep disorders account for much of the rest.
In this episode, consultant neurologist and sleep physician Dr Oliver Bernath explains what oestrogen and progesterone actually do to sleep, what HRT can realistically improve, and why waking in the night becomes more noticeable with age in both sexes. We discuss CBT for insomnia, morning light and melatonin timing, which supplements have evidence behind them, and the conditions frequently missed in women, including obstructive sleep apnoea, restless legs and low ferritin. We also look at what sleep trackers can and cannot tell you.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:29 Midlife sleep, hormones and HRT
00:06:05 Night waking and how much sleep you need
00:15:18 How night waking becomes chronic insomnia
00:18:31 Light, body clocks and melatonin
00:22:56 Supplements
00:27:27 When optimised hormones are not enough
00:29:07 Sleep apnoea and restless legs in women
00:34:50 Sleep trackers 00:47:20
Full show notes and support resources: https://www.thewomanshandbook.com/
Dr Oliver Bernath: https://www.drbernath.com/
Find me on Instagram and Substack: https://substack.com/@drnataliehutchins https://www.instagram.com/thewomanshandbook/
This episode is for general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice.
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