Tossing & Turning
Sleep shouldn’t be difficult. But for women who are undergoing menopause, getting a good night’s sleep may be easier said than done.
According to the National Sleep Foundation and North American Menopause Society (NAMS), many women report more sleep problems around this time of life. Local NAMS-certified physicians Kathleen Gerbert, MD, Doctors May-Grant Associates, and Madonna Talbert, MD, OB-GYN of Lancaster, often speak with patients about this concern.
“It’s unbelievable how common sleep problems are among menopausal women,” Dr. Gerbert says.
Dr. Talbert says the issues turn into a quality of life concern for many women. “They’ll fall asleep easily, but then wake up sweating (with a hot flash) and have trouble getting back to sleep. They wake up exhausted and irritable,” she says.
Hot flashes—sudden, brief, periodic increases in body temperature—are a common side effect of menopause. Both Dr. Gerbert and Dr. Talbert say that hormonal replacement therapies can sometimes help manage this symptom. However, because some studies have linked hormone replacement therapies to serious health problems such as breast cancer, they’re not for everyone. Both doctors say you should talk to your doctor about your medical history before starting hormone replacement therapy.
Dr. Talbert notes that not all sleep problems that occur around menopause are because of hot flashes. As a general rule, she suggests first practicing good sleep habits (avoiding caffeine before bedtime; adjusting levels of light, temperature and sound; following a sleep schedule). If you do wake up and can’t go back to sleep within 15 minutes, she suggests getting out of bed and engaging in a relaxing activity until you get tired again.
If sleep problems persist, Dr. Gerbert sometimes suggests consulting with a pulmonologist and making an appointment at the Lancaster General Sleep Disorders Center. The Sleep Disorders Center can identify problems like sleep apnea and insomnia. If a sleep disorder is diagnosed, a pulmonologist can develop a treatment plan to help you regain your quality of life.
The Sleep Disorders Center has two locations—downtown at Lancaster General Hospital and at the newly opened location at Kissel Hill Health Center in Lititz. Both sites offer state-of-the-art sleep studies conducted by sleep technicians and physicians from Pulmonary Associates of Lancaster who are specially trained in sleep medicine. In addition, the Sleep Disorders Center is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
For more information on the Lancaster General Sleep Disorders Center, call 544-5910.
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