Sleep and menopause

Nurs Clin North Am. 2004 Mar;39(1):97-115. doi: 10.1016/j.cnur.2003.11.006.

Abstract

Many midlife women obtain inadequate sleep, and sleep problems are common during the menopause transition. This article reviews the research literature on sleep and sleep disorders during menopause. Few studies have included subjective and objective measures of sleep quality or studied women during different menopause stages. Potential mechanisms associated with the emergence of insomnia and sleep-disordered breathing during menopause are discussed along with effects of estrogen and progesterone on sleep. It is argued that sleep quality is an important determinant of health status and quality of life for women during and beyond menopause.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Estrogen Replacement Therapy
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Menopause* / drug effects
  • Menopause* / physiology
  • Menopause* / psychology
  • Nurse's Role
  • Obesity / complications
  • Polysomnography
  • Prevalence
  • Quality of Life
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Sex Distribution
  • Sex Factors
  • Sickness Impact Profile
  • Sleep Wake Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Sleep Wake Disorders* / epidemiology
  • Sleep Wake Disorders* / therapy
  • Women's Health*