How sleep can get you through the menopause

For whatever reason you may have for deciding to have an elective hysterectomy, it’s important that you consider all of the effects of an operation which will inevitably change your life. Should you need a hysterectomy at a younger age, one of the effects is the early onset of menopause, which can be both a difficult but also enlightening time in a woman’s life in which her body experiences many changes.

The menopause can be a hard time for your body, in which you are likely to feel the effects of changing hormones. Mood swings, hot flushes and loss of libido are all likely occurrences as you enter into this next stage of your life, but there are a few ways in which you can make the process easier and more comfortable.

One of the biggest factors in helping you get through the menopause comfortably is to ensure you are getting enough sleep. Catching forty winks is so important in fact, that researchers from the Menopause Centre in Italy decided to investigate the theory a little further.

Their results were very interesting indeed – it was revealed that women aged between 42 and 62 years of age who were administered 3mg of melatonin at night times had an improved mood and reduced symptoms of depression, as well as far better thyroid function. With the thyroid being one of the key areas affected by the menopause, as well as a catalyst for weight loss and gain in women, it was noted that better sleep encouraged healthier weights in women of this age.

Of course, focusing on better sleep is often easier said than done, and with the stresses of modern day life, it can be hard to create the perfect sleeping environment. To help you sleep easier, first take a look at the bed you are sleeping on – is it being used way beyond its years? You should try investing in a sleep-easy mattress that keeps you supported where you need it most.

To combat those hot flushes, which many menopausal women complain is the cause of their lack of sleep, consider wearing cotton pyjamas, or better still, nothing at all in bed. Make sure that your bed sheets are made of organic fibres such as cotton to encourage your body temperature to regulate itself better.

The best advice we can all take heed of however, is to relax. The menopause is a stressful time for more than just the woman, and those around her will understand what she is going through. Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed – embrace this next stage in your life and look forward to the positives, like wisdom and experience.