Insomnia In Postmenopausal Women Research Articles

Towards a personalized prediction, prevention and therapy of insomnia: gut microbiota profile can discriminate between paradoxical and objective insomnia in post-menopausal women

BackgroundInsomnia persists as a prevalent sleep disorder among middle-aged and older adults, significantly impacting quality of life and increasing susceptibility to age-related diseases. It is classified into objective insomnia (O-IN) and paradoxical insomnia (P-IN), where subjective and objective sleep assessments diverge. Current treatment regimens for both patient groups yield unsatisfactory outcomes. Consequently, investigating the neurophysiological distinctions between P-IN and O-IN is imperative for devising novel precision interventions aligned with primary prediction, targeted prevention, and personalized medicine (PPPM) principles.Working hypothesis and methodology.Given the emerging influence of gut microbiota (GM) on sleep physiology via the gut-brain axis, our study focused on characterizing the GM profiles of a well-characterized cohort of 96 Italian postmenopausal women, comprising 54 insomniac patients (18 O-IN and 36 P-IN) and 42 controls, through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Associations were explored with general and clinical history, sleep patterns, stress, hematobiochemical parameters, and nutritional patterns.ResultsDistinctive GM profiles were unveiled between O-IN and P-IN patients. O-IN patients exhibited prominence in the Coriobacteriaceae family, including Collinsella and Adlercreutzia, along with Erysipelotrichaceae, Clostridium, and Pediococcus. Conversely, P-IN patients were mainly discriminated by Bacteroides, Staphylococcus, Carnobacterium, Pseudomonas, and respective families, along with Odoribacter.ConclusionsThese findings provide valuable insights into the microbiota-mediated mechanism of O-IN versus P-IN onset. GM profiling may thus serve as a tailored stratification criterion, enabling the identification of women at risk for specific insomnia subtypes and facilitating the development of integrated microbiota-based predictive diagnostics, targeted prevention, and personalized therapies, ultimately enhancing clinical effectiveness.

Insomnia in Postmenopausal Women: How to Approach and Treat It?

Insomnia is one of the major complaints of menopausal women with advancing age and may be complexly related to a variety of causes. However, there is still a lack of standards on the general approach and treatment for insomnia in menopausal women. The aim of this review is to summarize recent pathogenic theories of sleep disturbance in the menopausal period and discuss the approach and management of insomnia in postmenopausal women. Sleep disturbances in menopausal women may be associated with physical and psychiatric factors and other comorbid diseases. Careful history taking and multidisciplinary physical and psychosocial evaluation are necessary and, in particular, comorbidities related to sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, must be taken into consideration. A unique aspect of insomnia in postmenopausal women is that menopausal symptoms due to hormonal decline can be closely related to sleep disturbances. Therefore, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) should be considered as the treatment of choice among pharmacological treatments following cognitive behavioral therapy, which is suggested as the first-line treatment in the general population insomnia treatment guidelines. Additionally, melatonin and 5HT-based drugs, which have fewer side effects, along with MHT should be preferentially recommended in menopausal women.

Effect of a lavender essential oil and sleep hygiene protocol on insomnia in postmenopausal women: A pilot randomized clinical trial

IntroductionInsomnia and vasomotor symptoms are frequently experienced during the menopausal transition and in postmenopause, worsening sleep maintenance and quality of life. Our study evaluated the use of lavender essential oil and sleep hygiene guidance on quality of life, sleep patterns and self-reported hot flashes in postmenopausal women with insomnia diagnosis. MethodsThis study is part of a larger experimental, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. We included 35 postmenopausal women with a diagnosis of insomnia who were distributed in two groups: A Placebo group (sunflower oil) and an Aroma group (Lavandula angustifolia essential oil); both inhaled the oils before bedtime for 29 days. The groups received sleep hygiene guidelines and weekly follow-up. Validated questionnaires were used to assess the effect of the intervention, and a sleep diary was used to assess sleep onset latency (SOL), total sleep time (TST), and sleep efficiency (SE) daily. Participants who complained of vasomotor symptoms at baseline kept a daily record of their frequency and intensity. ResultsAll participants benefited in almost all domains of quality of life and in the self-assessed TST and SE. The Aroma group achieved a significant improvement in their overall quality of life score over time. No differences were observed in respect of the hot flashes record and daytime sleepiness. ConclusionsThe aromatherapy intervention was effective in improving the overall quality of life in the Aroma group. Moreover, the sleep diary and sleep hygiene instructions helped all participants to, respectively, self-assess and improve their sleep patterns.

Effect of resistive exercise on insomnia and sleep quality in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundSleep disorders are common in postmenopausal women and are linked to poor physical and mental health, which affect quality of life. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of resistive exercise on insomnia and sleep quality in postmenopausal women. Fifty-six postmenopausal women suffering from sleep disturbance and insomnia participated in this study. Their age ranged from 50–65 years, and their body mass index (BMI) was 25–29.5 kg/m2. They were randomly distributed into two groups of an equal number. Control group received self-care and lifestyle advice, while study group received the same advice in addition to resistive exercises for 20–30 min per session for 4 weeks. Plasma estradiol levels were assessed, as well as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Insomnia Severity Index, which were used to evaluate sleep quality and insomnia pre- and post-treatment.ResultsControl group revealed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in Pittsburgh sleep quality index and insomnia severity index and a non-significant difference (p = 0.059) in plasma estradiol level post-treatment. However, study group showed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in Pittsburgh sleep quality index and insomnia severity index, as well as a significant increase (p = 0.001) in plasma estradiol level. Compared to control group, study group showed a significant decrease (p = 0.000) in insomnia and sleep quality, as well as a non-significant difference (p = 0.179) in estradiol level post-treatment. Also, there was a negative correlation between plasma estradiol level and insomnia severity score in the study group post-treatment.ConclusionResistive exercise is an effective modality for postmenopausal women suffering from sleep disorders as it improves insomnia, sleep quality, which in turn affects the quality of life. Increased estradiol level is an important factor that helps improve insomnia in postmenopausal women.

Prevalence of insomnia among the post-menopausal women who suffered from COVID-19 in Bangladesh: A nationwide cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThe impact of the pandemic on sleeping problems in all age groups has been widely reported, but insomnia in post-menopausal women has been understudied worldwide. The study sought to determine the prevalence and associated factors for insomnia in post-menopausal women who were infected with COVID-19 in Bangladesh. Material and methodsA cross-sectional telephonic survey was conducted from August to December 2021 among post-menopausal women with a history of COVID-19 infection in Bangladesh. Data on socio-demographic factors, lifestyle and behavioral factors, COVID-19-associated factors, and self-reported pre-existing co-morbidities were collected. A validated scale Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was applied to assess the level of insomnia . Bivariate and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess the associated factors with insomnia. ResultsOf the total 900 participants, the prevalence of insomnia was reported at 70%, with 33.67% moderately severe, 25.11% subthreshold, and 11.22% severe insomnia. Participants with increased ISI scores were significantly more likely to be retired, had 2-4 children, felt disturbed by COVID-19 related news, hospitalized for COVID-19 management, receieved the first dose of vaccine, and experienced post COVID-19 symptoms such as fatigue, lack of concentration, and memory loss. On the other hand, living in a nuclear family and taking care of COVID-19-infected family members were significantly negatively associated with insomnia. ConclusionsOur findings indicate the need to safeguard the well-being considerations of post-menopausal women through a well-designed comprehensive social safety net program for the present pandemic and similar crises in the future.

Hormone Targets for the Treatment of Sleep Disorders in Postmenopausal Women with Schizophrenia: A Narrative Review.

While the early identification of insomnia in patients with schizophrenia is of clinical relevance, the use of specific compounds to treat insomnia has been studied less in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia. We aimed to explore the effects of melatonin, sex hormones, and raloxifene for the treatment of insomnia in these populations. Although melatonin treatment improved the quality and efficiency of the sleep of patients with schizophrenia, few studies have explored its use in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia. The estrogen and progesterone pathways are dysregulated in major psychiatric disorders, such as in schizophrenia. While, in the context of menopause, a high testosterone-to-estradiol ratio is associated with higher frequencies of depressive symptoms, the effects of estradiol and other sex hormones on sleep disorders in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia has not been sufficiently investigated. Raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, has shown positive effects on sleep disorders in postmenopausal women. Future studies should investigate the effectiveness of hormonal compounds on insomnia in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia.

ANALISI FAKTOR YANG BERHUBUNGAN DENGAN KEJADIAN INSOMNIA PADA WANITA MENOPAUSE DI POSYANDU WILAYAH KERJA PUSKESMAS PUNTI KAYU TAHUN 2021

Menopausal women will experience several problems, one of which is sleep disorders (Insomnia). Insomnia is characterized by difficulty in initiating sleep. Various factors are thought to have a significant relationship with the occurrence of insomnia in postmenopausal women, including response to disease, lifestyle and anxiety levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with the incidence of insomnia in postmenopausal women at the Posyandu in the Punti Kayu Palembang Health Centre in 2021. The research method used a survey Analytical by using design cross sectional, the sampling of this research used total sampling technique with a total sample of 63 people. Collecting data using a questionnaire sheet. The analysis used is analysis univariate and bivariat eusing testchi-square. The univariate results showed that 37 (58.7%) menopausal women experienced insomnia, 27 (42.9%) menopausal women, 27 (42.9%) postmenopausal women, and 33 (52.4%) menopausal women experienced poor lifestyle. anxiety as many as 30 (47.6%) postmenopausal women. ResultsIt is known that there is a relationship between response to disease and the incidence of insomnia in postmenopausal women with (p value = 0.000), there is a relationship between lifestyle and the incidence of insomnia in menopausal women with (p value = 0.000), there is a relationship between anxiety levels and the incidence of insomnia in menopausal women with (p value = 0.003). The conclusion of this study is that there is a relationship between response to disease, lifestyle, anxiety levels with the incidence of insomnia in postmenopausal women at the Posyandu in the Punti Kayu Health Centre in 2021. This study is expected to encourage postmenopausal women to maintain their health, change lifestyle habits and consume water, and reduce anxiety.

Levels of Advanced Oxidation Protein Products in Blood Plasma of Peri- and Postmenopausal Women with Insomnia

Background. Insomnia occurs in more than half of menopausal women. These disorders can contribute to a change in the prooxidant-antioxidant balance, causing the damage to structural cellular elements. Currently, there is a lack of research on this issue.Aim. To carry out a comparative analysis of the level of advanced oxidation protein products in in periand postmenopausal women with insomnia.Materials and methods. The study included peri(n = 30) and postmenopausal (n = 60) women, who were divided into 2 groups (control and main groups) in each menopausal phase after being questioned using special sleep questionnaires: Insomnia Severity Index; Epworth Sleepiness Scale; Munich Chronotype Questionnaire. The advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) levels was determined by immunoenzymatic assay using ImmunDiagnostik (German) kits on a BioTek EL×808 (USA) analyzer. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann – Whitney test.Results. Comparative analysis of the AOPP levels in control groups, depending on the menopausal periods, showed an increase in their levels in the postmenopausal period as compared to perimenopause (p &lt; 0.05). When comparing the AOPP levels between the control and the main group in different menopausal periods, statistically significant differences were revealed only in the perimenopausal period towards a higher content in women with insomnia (p &lt; 0.05). The presence of insomnia in postmenopausal women is accompanied by a higher AOPP levels as compared to the perimenopausal women (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion. The obtained results indicate the association between insomnia and oxidative proteins modification only in the perimenopausal period.

The effect of group cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia in postmenopausal women.

The menopausal period is associated with several complications in women. One of these complications is sleep disorders including insomnia disorder that can affect all aspects of personal life. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) on insomnia severity and sleep quality among postmenopausal women. This was a randomised clinical trial in which 46 women were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups, one receiving CBT-I and a control group. The CBT-I group received six sessions of training, while the control group received only usual care. A demographic questionnaire, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), were used to collect the data. The ISI and PSQI were measured at baseline, 3 and 6weeks after intervention, and in a 4-week follow-up. The Independent t test, the chi-square test, generalised estimating equation models, and Bonferroni correction were applied to analyse the data. According to our results, in the CBT-I group compared to the control group, the mean ISI, PSQI, sleep onset latency, sleep time, and sleep quality score reduced continuously from baseline to week 3 and from week 3 to week 6, and remained constant from week 6 to week 10. The mean sleep efficiency score improved significantly from baseline to week 3 in the CBT-I group and remained unchanged until the end of the study. CBT-I could significantly improve insomnia severity and sleep quality in postmenopausal women. Therefore, using this method is recommended for menopausal women with insomnia.

Correlation of the Severity of Physical and Psychological Symptoms and Severity of Insomnia in Postmenopausal Women

Background: Menopause is associated with physical and psychological as well as sleep problems that cause disruption in quality of life in women. Objectives: The question of whether the severity of physical and psychological symptoms correlated with the severity of insomnia in postmenopausal women is investigated in this study. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 214 postmenopausal women referred to health centers in Kermanshah city between May 2019 and May 2020. Data collection tools included demographic and social characteristics questionnaires, Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Pearson correlation test using SPSS software. Results: The mean total score of insomnia severity was 14.3 ± 5. Also, according to the severity of insomnia, 22 women had no insomnia, but 88 and 87 women had mild and moderate insomnia and 17 women had severe insomnia, respectively. Comparing the mean scores of 11 MRS items in different insomnia severities showed a significant difference in the rate of symptoms, so that in the physical domain, hot flashes and sleep problems, and in the psychological domain, depression items, irritability, anxiety, poor memory and lack of concentration were higher in the sever insomnia, but none of the items of the genitourinary domain were associated with the severity of insomnia. Conclusions: Our study showed that in postmenopausal women, the rate of physical and psychological symptoms increases with higher severity of insomnia. Insomnia should be considered as a disorder that requires special attention and treatment in postmenopausal women.

Effect of Forest Therapy for Menopausal Women with Insomnia.

Female hormone changes during menopause can affect the autonomic nervous system, circadian rhythm, and secretion of cortisol/melatonin, resulting in a vulnerability to insomnia. In this light, therapy has been gaining attention as a way to reduce stress hormones by stabilizing the autonomic nervous system. Thus, this study aims to objectively and scientifically analyze the impact of forest therapy in postmenopausal insomnia patients. The forest therapy program lasted 6 days, wherein 35 postmenopausal women performed activities such as trekking, leg massages, stretches, and bathing in warm and cold water. They also underwent serologic tests, participated in polysomnography (PSG), and answered sleep questionnaires before and after the program. Further, a statistical analysis compared the results. Serologic tests showed a significant reduction of cortisol from 10.2 ± 3.79 to 7.75 ± 2.81, while PSGs showed how sleep efficiency increased to 89.3 ± 4.3% (p < 0.01), and how waking after sleep onset reduced to 47.4 ± 22.3 min (p < 0.01). The total sleep time also increased to 428.5 min and sleep latency was 11.1 ± 11.0 min. Despite its limitations, forest therapy could be a good alternative to nonpharmacological treatment for mitigating insomnia in postmenopausal women.

Objective sleep disturbance is associated with poor response to cognitive and behavioral treatments for insomnia in postmenopausal women

Study objectivesTo determine whether insomnia patients with objective sleep disturbance are less responsive to cognitive and behavioral treatments than those without objective sleep disturbance, characterize effects of insomnia therapy on objective sleep, and determine whether reductions in nocturnal cognitive arousal correspond to changes in objective sleep. MethodsSecondary analysis of a single-site, randomized controlled trial. 113 postmenopausal women (56.40 ± 5.34 years) with menopause-related insomnia disorder were randomized to three treatment conditions: cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI), sleep restriction therapy (SRT), or sleep education control. Primary outcomes were the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and polysomnography (PSG) sleep parameters and were collected at pretreatment, posttreatment, and six-month follow-up. ResultsPatients with lower pretreatment PSG sleep efficiency had lower rates of insomnia remission after active treatment relative to those with higher sleep efficiency (37.8% vs 61.8%). Neither CBTI and SRT produced clinically meaningful effects on PSG sleep. Exploratory analyses revealed that reductions in nocturnal cognitive arousal were associated with decreases in PSG sleep latency, but not wake after sleep onset. ConclusionsOur findings support an emerging literature suggesting that insomnia patients with objective sleep disturbance may have blunted response to insomnia therapy. Research is needed to enhance treatments to better improve insomnia in patients with objective sleep disturbance. A lack of observed CBTI and SRT effects on PSG sleep suggests that these therapies may be presently ill-designed to improve objective sleep. Nocturnal cognitive arousal may represent an entry point to improve objective sleep latency in insomnia. NameBehavioral Treatment of Menopausal Insomnia: Sleep and Daytime Outcomes. URL: clinicaltrials.gov. Registration: NCT01933295.

High glycemic index and glycemic load diets as risk factors for insomnia: analyses from the Women’s Health Initiative

Previous studies have shown mixed results on the association between carbohydrate intake and insomnia. However, any influence that refined carbohydrates have on risk of insomnia is likely commensurate with their relative contribution to the overall diet, so studies are needed that measure overall dietary glycemic index (GI), glycemic load, and intakes of specific types of carbohydrates. We hypothesized that higher GI and glycemic load would be associated with greater odds of insomnia prevalence and incidence. This was a prospective cohort study with postmenopausal women who participated in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study, investigating the relations of GI, glycemic load, other carbohydrate measures (added sugars, starch, total carbohydrate), dietary fiber, and specific carbohydrate-containing foods (whole grains, nonwhole/refined grains, nonjuice fruits, vegetables, dairy products) with odds of insomnia at baseline (between 1994 and 1998; n=77,860) and after 3 y of follow-up (between 1997 and 2001; n=53,069). In cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, higher dietary GI was associated with increasing odds of prevalent (fifth compared with first quintile OR: 1.11; CI: 1.05, 1.16; P-trend=0.0014) and incident (fifth compared with first quintile OR: 1.16; CI: 1.08, 1.25; P-trend<0.0001) insomnia in fully adjusted models. Higher intakes of dietary added sugars, starch, and nonwhole/refined grains were each associated with higher odds of incident insomnia. By contrast, higher nonjuice fruit and vegetable intakes were significantly associated with lower odds of incident insomnia. Also, higher intakes of dietary fiber, whole grains, nonjuice fruit, and vegetables were significantly associated with lower odds of prevalent insomnia. The results suggest that high-GI diets could be a risk factor for insomnia in postmenopausal women. Substitution of high-GI foods with minimally processed, whole, fiber-rich carbohydrates should be evaluated as potential treatments of, and primary preventive measures for, insomnia in postmenopausal women.

Comparative Study of the Effect of Resistance Exercises versus Aerobic Exercises in Postmenopausal Women Suffering from Insomnia.

Study Objectives:The main objective of the study is to compare the effectiveness of resistance exercises versus aerobic exercises in postmenopausal women suffering from insomnia using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).Materials and Methods:Sixty postmenopausal women with menopause <10 years, suffering from insomnia for >1 month and on no supplementary exercises were recruited and categorized conveniently into two groups of 30 each. Group A received resistance exercises and Group B aerobic exercises. PSQI was used to screen postmenopausal women. Women on hormone replacement therapy, with artificial menopause, with diagnosed osteoporosis (t > 2) were excluded. Group A underwent general strengthening program in the form of closed-chain exercise. Group B received aerobic exercises after calculating target heart rate (HR) using Karvonen’s formula in the form of brisk walking three times a week at 30%–60% of HRmax.Results:Paired t-test done to evaluate pre- and postmean values of PSQI for Group A. P < 0.001 which is highly statistically significant. Paired t-test done to evaluate pre- and postmean values of PSQI for Group B. P < 0.001, which is highly statistically significant. Unpaired t-test was carried out to compare the mean difference (pre-post) of PSQI values of both the groups. P < 0.001 which is highly significant. The mean difference of Group A (i.e., 4) is more than the mean difference of Group B (i.e., 2.63) indicating that the intervention of resistance exercises is more effective.Conclusion:Aerobic exercises and resistance exercises, both are effective in reducing insomnia in postmenopausal women, but resistance exercises are more beneficial than aerobic exercises.

Treating chronic insomnia in postmenopausal women: a randomized clinical trial comparing cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia, sleep restriction therapy, and sleep hygiene education.

Insomnia is a leading cause of disability in postmenopausal women. Multicomponent cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) is a first-line treatment for chronic insomnia, but support for its efficacy in treating menopause-related insomnia is scarce. The present study evaluated whether CBTI is an efficacious treatment for menopause-related chronic insomnia, and whether sleep restriction therapy (SRT)-a single component of CBTI-is equally efficacious compared with CBTI. In a single-site, randomized controlled trial, 150 postmenopausal women (56.44 ± 5.64 years) with chronic DSM-5 insomnia disorder related to menopause were randomized to three treatment conditions: sleep hygiene education (SHE), SRT, or CBTI. Blinded assessments were performed at baseline, posttreatment, and 6 months after treatment. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and sleep diaries served as primary outcomes. From baseline to posttreatment, ISI decreased 7.70 points in the CBTI group (p < .001), 6.56 points in the SRT group (p < .001), and 1.12 in the SHE group (p = .01). Although average sleep duration increased in all groups by 6 month follow-up, CBTI patients obtained 40-43 more minutes of nightly sleep than those who received SHE or SRT. Remission rates in the CBTI (54%-84%) and SRT (38%-57%) groups were higher than SHE patients (4%-33%) at posttreatment and 6 month follow-up. CBTI patients were generally more likely to remit than SRT patients. CBTI and SRT effectively treat menopause-related insomnia disorder and are superior to SHE. Response to CBTI and SRT is similar, but CBTI outperforms SRT in improving sleep maintenance, which may increase likelihood of remission. Clinical Trial Name: Behavioral Treatment of Menopausal Insomnia: Sleep and Daytime Outcomes. URL: clinicaltrials.gov. Registration: NCT01933295.

Interactions of Sleep and Female Sexual Function: a Review

Sleep disturbance and sexual function complaints are common in women, particularly during midlife. The current review describes the literature on associations between sleep and sexual function in women with a focus on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), insomnia, and other self-reported sleep complaints. Multiple studies demonstrate associations between OSA and sexual problems in both pre- and postmenopausal women. Recent studies show decreased sexual function associated with shorter sleep durations and insomnia in postmenopausal women, as well as with daytime sleepiness, poor sleep quality, and insomnia in premenopausal women. An association exists between sleep disturbance and sexual dysfunction in women, which may indicate a direct interaction between these common complaints. However, equally or perhaps more important, are the independent determinants that influence both sleep and sexual function in women, such as obesity, mental health problems, and hormonal changes. Derangements in these factors have the potential to impact both sleep and sexual function.

ПРОЦЕССЫ ЛИПОПЕРОКСИДАЦИИ И АНТИОКСИДАНТНАЯ СИСТЕМА У ЖЕНЩИН КЛИМАКТЕРИЧЕСКОГО ПЕРИОДА С ИНСОМНИЕЙ

According to the current data, most menopausal women have reduced life quality and one of the main criteria is sleep quality. It is well known, that sleep loss may cause oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to assess lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system in postmenopausal women with insomnia. Materials and methods: 41 postmenopausal women (18 patients with insomnia, 23 women without insomnia (control)) were examined. Sleep disorders were assessed by using sleep questionnaire (Stanford Sleep Research Center, USA), Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Insomnia Severity Index. The materials for biochemical studies were blood plasma and red cells. Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system parameters by spectrophotometric and fluorometric methods were determined. Statistical analysis was performed by non-parametric test. The study results showed increase primary products levels in patients with insomnia compared with the control group. Main and control group antioxidant system parameters have no differences. Oxidative stress coefficient in group with insomnia higher than control. Conclusions: insomnia in postmenopausal women is associated with the development of oxidative stress.

Factors causing insomnia in postmenopausal women

Factors causing insomnia in postmenopausal women

Sleep in midlife women

This study aims to evaluate subjective sleep quality in premenopausal and postmenopausal women and to study its association with night sweats, hot flashes, and depressive symptoms. A total of 158 healthy women were recruited; 107 were premenopausal (44-48 y) and 51 were postmenopausal (53-58 y). Sleep quality was evaluated with the Basic Nordic Sleep Questionnaire, night sweats and hot flashes were evaluated with a specific symptom questionnaire, and depressive symptoms were evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory. Postmenopausal women had poorer general sleep quality (P < 0.001), slept more restlessly (P = 0.020), and had more nocturnal awakenings (P = 0.015). However, the frequency of difficulty falling asleep, snoring, witnessed apnea, or use of sleep medication was similar between the groups. Furthermore, sleep latency, morning tiredness, or daytime tiredness did not differ between the groups. Postmenopausal women did not report more unintentional falling asleep at work or during leisure time; however, when not active, they dozed off more easily than premenopausal women (P < 0.001). Postmenopausal women had more night sweats (P < 0.001), hot flashes (P < 0.001), and depressive symptoms (P < 0.001). Even a low frequency of night sweats disturbed sleep in postmenopausal women, whereas only frequent night sweats were disturbing in premenopausal women. Depressive symptoms disturbed sleep regardless of menopause status. Maintenance insomnia, most evidently because of night sweats and hot flashes, seems to be the major type of insomnia in postmenopausal women and has to be considered when choosing insomnia treatment for this group. Initiation of sleep and daytime vitality are not, in general, affected by menopause.

The beneficial effects of massage therapy for insomnia in postmenopausal women

With increases life expectancy, the incidence of undesirable manifestations of menopause has increased as well. The effects of lost ovarian function include progressive decrease in estradiol secretion, trophic changes in the breast, vasomotor symptoms, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. Insomnia, which has physiological consequences and can result in a loss of quality of life, is prevalent in women after menopause. Hormone therapy has been widely used to reduce menopausal symptoms, but its use in recent years has been questioned because of the reported risks of cardiovascular events and increased incidence of tumors. This controversy has generated significant interest in non-hormonal treatments among both physicians and patients. Our previous research has shown a positive effect of massage therapy on menopausal symptoms. We explored the hypothesis that massage therapy would produce beneficial effects in postmenopausal women through inflammatory and immunological changes. Recent results from self-report questionnaires have shown improvements in sleep pattern and quality of life following massage therapy. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of massage therapy for the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms, particularly insomnia, and indicate that it is a promising line of research.