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[wenbird75]

I’m almost 49 and this last year I’ve gone through very difficult insomnia.  I’ve previously always slept like a rock.  I will have clusters of nights where I get almost zero sleep.  I am taking estrogen cream & progesterone.  I’m still having regular periods. I have lots of other peri symptoms.  But the insomnia is just awful.  I’m wondering if the estrogen cream might be making my sleep worse?

[K45]

Hi Wenbird,
I really feel for you as I know  insomnia makes y
eerything seem rotten.  Not sure re oestrogen cream as I'm on gel/utro but since I started taking magnesium glycinate my sleep has much improved. Might be worth a try x

[wenbird75]

Did you go through this at all where you would have clusters of nights without sleep?  How did you cope with that?  I think the anxiety of not sleeping is making it worse. Because now I approach my bedroom and I’m almost terrified that I won’t be able to sleep again.  I just want somebody to tell me that it is totally normal because it feels so Abnormal

[Amerififer]

Hiya
I too have been having a horrid time getting to/staying asleep.. Nightmare when I'm still working 4 days a week in a very busy job..
I like K45 started taking magnesium glycinate supplement about two weeks ago maybe.. I've definitely noticed an improvement in my sleep pattern/habits..
Just my experience.. was suggested to me by a fellow staff member.. I'll be honest I didn't think it could possibly help... I've eaten my words lol.. I take it about 2 hours before I'd like to get to sleep ..
Your experience may vary... x

[joziel]

What estrogen 'cream' are you taking? This doesn't sound like systemic HRT as we have patches, gels and spray - no cream...

If you are not on prescription strength licensed estrogen but just on some over the counter cream, of course it won't be strong enough to help you.

[K45]

Yep, I'd have bad weeks where I was up most of the night and getting by on lots of calm tea and gritting my teeth through work. I wasn't really coping with it and after months of this my GP prescribed HRT and the utrogestan seems to be a game changer as it knocks me out for the whole night! It appears to be very common in perimenopause and I completely understand the anxiety around fearing this will not stop happening. My GP has also prescribed a strong antihistamine in the past - promethazine which works really well.

quote author=wenbird75 link=topic=70785.msg958185#msg958185 date=1726587548]
Did you go through this at all where you would have clusters of nights without sleep?  How did you cope with that?  I think the anxiety of not sleeping is making it worse. Because now I approach my bedroom and I’m almost terrified that I won’t be able to sleep again.  I just want somebody to tell me that it is totally normal because it feels so Abnormal
[/quote]

[Ms_london76]

I am also not sleeping. On and off for way worse since I started estrogen cream.

I wake up than pee, last night it was 5 times.

I recently got my period which after 5 months Mia was a surprise.

I try all the right things, no phone before bed. Melatonin etc etc. regular sleep time….pulling out caffeine is my new experiment. My vaginal dryness is not helping.

I too am struggling with little to no sleep. Melatonin after awhile can have side effects like peeing at night, drowsy the next day etc” so I am going to pull that tonight.

I def believe it is the cream as well. I only use it twice a week but wonder if my sleep issues have just gotten worse.

[Ms_london76]

What estrogen 'cream' are you taking? This doesn't sound like systemic HRT as we have patches, gels and spray - no cream...

If you are not on prescription strength licensed estrogen but just on some over the counter cream, of course it won't be strong enough to help you.

There is estrogen cream for the vagina, it is prescription only I use Premarin. Its topical estrogen for localized issues

[CLKD]

As we age we don't require as much sleep as we think we might do!  Apparently.

A good sleep hygiene routine is important.  Switching off blue light, gadgets, TV - I have a deep bubble bath most evenings with good book, then fall into bed.  Usually I sleep well, those nights when sleep won't happen I lay for hours.  Pondering 

I have been known to wake to C whether I've been asleep !  . and I think the more that we worry about 'not getting enough' keeps the brain active.

Years ago I used non-drowsy travel-sickness pills, kwells springs to mind.  2 nights of good sleep got me back into a pattern.

[AngelaH]

Insomnia in peri is caused by hormonal imbalance. Need to find out which hormone causes it, because both low progesterone or low estrogen can cause the same insomnia.

[joziel]

Folks, you can't expect topical estrogen cream in your vagina to help your sleep.

It's topical. It only affects the local area. It does not have systemic effects. There are multiple, multiple studies showing it is not absorbed systemically.

If you want to treat insomnia you need to take systemic hormones/HRT.

[CherryC]

Can anyone suggest a good brand for magnesium glycinate supplement please?
Just started taking a Magnesium Oxide for sleep/restless legs but would like to try magnesium glycinate...

[discogirl]

I use love life Magnesium bisglycinate its about £29 I think.

It's the best magnesium for sleep and it will help restless legs as well.

I think this type of magnesium that I use have no fillers or rubbish in them x

[Sphynx]

I highly doubt cream would affect your sleep, since it isn’t systemic.
I have had bouts of insomnia for many years, and this has only been rectified by HRT patches.

Advice would be to sleep when you can, even if it’s not bedtime. You can try sleeping at the opposite end of your bed (pillow where your feet would be). Strange, but did help me from time to time. Don’t stay in bed if you aren’t tired, or if you haven’t been able to nod off within the hour.
Try lavender pillow spray. Try being mindful in your body, and then relaxing every muscle from scalp to toes. This does take practice! Try earplugs, and eye masks, or even a light weighted blanket.

[CLKD]

3 small bananas a day cured my restless leg syndrome which occurs the moment I get into bed if it's going to be problematic.  Nurofen helps too.

Becareful of magnesium, some variations can affect the bowels