Sleep and menopause

Abstract

Sleeping problems are a serious public health problem, imposing a substantial burden on individuals and society. Although sleeping problems occur throughout the lifespan, and in both sexes, menopause can be considered as one important milestone of increasing occurrence in sleeping problems. However, to determine whether sleeping problems are caused by the menopause or merely occur by coincidence during the menopause is not always easy because several, particularly age-related, changes take place at the same time. The most important factors are general diseases, medications, weight changes and mood symptoms. According to women's own judgment, hormone therapy significantly improves sleep quality. Hormone therapy can thus be considered as a first-line treatment for climacteric sleeping problems. If sleeping problems are accompanied by other disorders, hormone therapy should be kept in mind as an adjuvant therapy. According to worldwide consensus on hormone therapy, the main indication of hormone therapy is alleviation of climacteric symptoms, including climacteric sleeping problems. However, when choosing hormone therapy for a patient, contraindications and possible long-term side effects should be individually considered. This review illustrates the effect of menopause on sleep and evaluates different treatment options, especially hormone therapy, in alleviation of symptoms. © 2007 Future Medicine Ltd.