Menopause, Lifestyle
Why sleep falls apart in perimenopause
Night sweats, 3am wakefulness, a mind that will not stop. What is behind it, what helps, and when to ask about treatment.
Reviewed against NICE Guidelines, 1 min read, published
Sleep in perimenopause is rarely just sleep. Shifting hormones disturb it directly, and then hot flushes and night sweats wake you again on their own account.
The fixes worth trying first
The practical fixes are worth doing before dismissing them:
- A genuinely cool room
- Layers you can throw off
- A consistent time to get up
- A policy on what you do at 3am that is not your phone
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy that can help with a low mood and feelings of anxiety. It can also help with sleep problems.
Talking therapies and treatment
Talking therapies designed for sleep and mood have solid evidence here, and are worth asking about specifically rather than waiting to be offered.
Quick summary
- Start with: a cool room, layers, a set time to get up, and no phone at 3am
- Ask about: talking therapies designed for sleep and mood
- Treatment: if the nights are wrecking your days, ask about options, hormone therapy included
