When a woman permanently stops menstruating, estrogen and progesterone are no longer produced by her ovaries, and she is no longer able to bear children. The time period occurring one year after menstruation has stopped is known as menopause. Most women experience this between the ages of 49 and 52, though some go through menopause earlier or later depending on their genetics.
A woman can experience many things during and after menopause. To begin, there could be vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. The membranes surrounding the vagina, cervix, vulva, and outer urinary tract thin, known as atrophic vaginitis. Additionally, a woman going through menopause may experience back, head, or breast pain. She may have heart palpitations, dizziness, or urinary incontinence. The most prolific symptoms that we hear about are hot flashes, sweating, and night sweats.
What does this mean? Due to these symptoms occurring, sleep - integral for one’s well-being - becomes more difficult. The National Sleep Foundation estimates that more than 60% of menopausal women have issues when it comes to sleep. You may have already talked to your doctor about things you can do to help with these symptoms. Your doctor might have recommended prescription and/or over-the-counter medications that may benefit you. But what if you would rather try non-prescription remedies? What can you do to get the sleep you desperately crave?