Menopause linked to insomnia and sleep apnea in new study

CLEVELAND, Ohio --Menopause is a time of major hormonal, physical and psychological change for women as during the perimenopause or transition phase, a woman's ovaries gradually decrease the production of estrogen and progesterone. Women most notably report hot flashes and mood disorders during peri-menopause to post-menopause period. In addition, Sleep complaints are common during the menopause transition.

A new study from Canada compared sleep quality, sleep duration, and sleep disorders between postmenopausal and pre/perimenopausal women and documented increased sleep problems postmenopause. The study results highlight links between menopause and insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea which have been published in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS).

Sleep disorders are one of the more common complaints during menopause, affecting 40% to 60% of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Not only do they impair a woman's quality of life, but they also can lead to major health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and anxiety.

Multiple specific sleep disorders are also age-related, including obstructive sleep apnea, periodic leg movements during sleep, rapid eye movement sleep behaviour, and change in the normal sleep cycle. Although multiple studies have already examined age-related sleep problems, few considered the effect of menopause status. This new study involving more than 6,100 Canadian women sought to demonstrate how sleep was affected as a woman progressed through the menopause transition.

Researchers confirmed that, compared with premenopausal and perimenopausal women, postmenopausal women required more time to fall asleep (in excess of 30 min) and were more likely to suffer from sleep-onset insomnia disorder and obstructive sleep apnea.

"This study highlights links between menopause and insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea. Given the known associations with poorer health, sleep problems should be identified and addressed in menopausal women," says Dr Stephanie Faubion, NAMS medical director.

Study results appear in the article "Effects of menopause on sleep quality and sleep disorders: Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging."