Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: palaNS6001 on September 03, 2024, 02:54:49 PM
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Hello everyone. I am very happy to be here. I am 48 years old and have been in perimenopause for a few years now. Mostly this has been very heavy periods with some flooding and clotting but that seems to have disappeared now thankfully. I still cycle regularly but the big issue is that I am just not sleeping. I don't get hot flashes or suffer in any other way. I just can't sleep. I can't fall asleep and if I wake up at all (which I do to go to the loo) I can't fall back asleep. I am hoping to find some answers here. :)
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While you wait for someone to answer your question you could put some relevant words in the search box. There is so much written here about your issue and there are bound to be some posts that you will find helpful.
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Oral micronised progesterone taken at night is frequently reported to help with insomnia.
This can be used as part of combined hormone therapy with estrogen, or on its own.
I have struggled with insomnia for many years, not menopause related for me, but I do take a low dose of mirtazapine for it, which I find extremely helpful. This does cause weight gain though, but I wasn't heavy anyway and for me it's worth it.
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Camomile tea and a handful of pumpkin seeds before bed.
Magnesium is also said to aid sleep, and lavender oil on your pillow.
And there's also acupuncture.
If you decide to try pumpkin seeds make sure you soak them in water during the day to help digestion.
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Thank you for suggestions so far. I should have mentioned that currently I am taking 400mg of Magnesium + Borage Oil + 1 tsp of Biocare Sleep Powder. I have used camomile tea before but I didn't feel it did much for me, but I will have a look into the capsules thank you. I also tried yoga Nidra before bed and that helps me to get off to sleep but then bizarrely I will wake up an hour later and have insomnia.
I assume oral micronised progesterone I would have to get from a Dr...? Will they prescribe that for insomnia?
I will look through the previous posts - thanks for that!
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I assume oral micronised progesterone I would have to get from a Dr...? Will they prescribe that for insomnia?
It depends on their knowledge and skill level. It is not a licenced indication, however approximately 20% of primary care prescriptions are off licence ie for another condition than that originally intended by the manufacturer.
Certainly it is better and safer to use a natural hormone than sleeping tablets like zopiclone or benzodiazepines.
If you get nowhere and really want to try it you could always ask for HRT with estradiol plus micronised progesterone.
What you do with the estradiol is up to you.
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OK. Interesting. Thank you that is very good and practical advice.
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Has your insomnia coincided with peri? Mine was down to oestrogen deficiency, cured by hrt. Many people never get hot flushes but still get other symptoms.
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I am taking Estroven Multisupplements which is all natural. It assist me tremendously.