His and Her Health

We're not crazy! Recent studies have just been released that link hot flashes to insomnia. Lots of people get hot flashes in the middle of the night often resulting in interrupted sleep. They awaken, perspire and have difficulty trying to go back to sleep.

Now there's scientific evidence to prove it! Look for our upcoming issue of the Menopause Minute for details about the study. In the meantime, does anyone treat hot flashes specifically for getting a better night's rest?

The risk and severity of hot flashes are also associated with cigarette smoke (first hand and second hand).

I just read about a study that found women smokers between the ages of 45 and 54 had an increase in the number and severity of daily hot flashes compared to those who didn't smoke. Also interesting was the fact that nonsmokers who lived with a smoker were significantly more likely to have hot flashes than did nonsmokers who lived with a nonsmoker.

Nicotine significantly increases body temperature therefore aggravating hot flashes. Just one more reason to quit smoking!!

The July issue of "The Menopause Minute" talks about the issue of hot flashes and sleep disturbances. For more information, go to:
http://redhotmamas.org/newsletters/newsletter_200607.html#A2

I am have so much difficulty sleeping that I don't even like to go to bed anymore! I can be SO TIRED and then when I lay down (after a warm bath, lotioning, reading a little to relax), my eyes are wide open in the dark and I can't sleep a wink. I have had to take sleeping pills for the past year. When I tried the estrogen patch, the hot flashes completely dissapated and I slept like the proverbial log, but it affected my kidney function (I am in chronic kidney failure) so that is definitely not an option. I just started Remifemin yesterday, so I'll see if that gives me some relief from hot flashes and I can get some natural sleep again! Normally, between hot flashes, I am freezing cold.

Hello,
I'm curious as to how long menopausal symptoms are supposed to last. I had a full abdominal hysterectomy in April of 96 when I was 28. I'm now 39 years old and still suffer from hot flashes (severe), night sweats (soaking) and insomnia lasting from a couple of nights to a week. I've tried everything, quitting smoking, moderate to light drinking, herbal remedies, patches, pills, creams.. all in cyclical occurances. My doctor is frustrated as I'm still experiencing these conditions and should not be, after nearly eleven years. I'm even taking a mild anti-depressant to help with the hot flashes as she does not recommend estrogen due to recently diagnosed hypertension. Well, I may be in a happier place, but my glasses are still steaming up.
Help?

I have found that sleeping with a fan directed right on my face helps to lower the night seats and when they do start they aren't as severe.
I was waking up feeling sick to my stomache, soaking night clothes and bedding. I would have to wash off, change clothes and sleep on the couch because I couldn't change the bedding since my husband was still sleeping.
Using the fan has lowered the number of nights I wake up like this and when it does happen I just get a little damp now instead of soaking everything.

Also I am sleeping better becasue the fan keeps me cooler. I also wipe down with a cool clothe if I've had a stressful day just before going to bed. This has helped as well.

The Red Hot Mamas are interested in learning more about sleep problems at menopause. If you are interested in contributing to this important research, we'd love to hear from you. Our survey is 7 questions that takes less than 5 minutes to complete. Also, it is completely anonymous.

Go to:
http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=544329

The Sleep Survey is now closed. Thank you all for contributing to this important study. The preliminary statistics and numbers definitely have some interesting trends. Stay tuned for the results!

According to the results from our Sleep Survey, disrupted sleep is a huge problem for menopausal women. Out of the 485 women surveyed, nearly half (42%) of menopausal women experience sleep disturbances every night, and more than a quarter of those women experience sleep disturbances several times per night. Even more surprising, according to the survey, when survey respondents were asked if they had spoken with their healthcare provider about the problem, more than half (55%) said “Noâ€

I have been having a cup of chamomile tea at night it is decaffeinated a girlfriend of mine told me nothing with caffeine in it after 4 pm and also look at your meds and OTC vitamins etc head ache meds too for a bunch of that has caffeine in it. but I do that and also put a little bit of soy milk so far it has helped this week will try ti and if it works I will keep doing it. Heidi