Share this @internewscast.com
Research indicates that millions of women across the UK are waking up at a common hour each night. According to data from Dunelm, a significant number of menopausal women awaken at an average time of 3:29 AM.
A spokesperson noted: “Dunelm’s new research shows that 3:29 AM is the most typical time for menopausal women to wake during the night.” This is largely attributed to menopause, with approximately 13 million women in the UK experiencing perimenopause or menopause, as covered by Gloucestershire Live.
The NHS website says usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier.
Sleeplessness is one of the prevalent symptoms during this phase of life and health. The findings revealed that 75% of these women find themselves awake in the early hours—well before the UK’s usual wake-up time of 7 AM.
Over half (53%) of the women report they end up tossing and turning until they drift back to sleep. Around 30% prefer to read a book, while another 30% spend time on social media. Additionally, 20% watch television, and 17% simply watch the clock.
The study revealed that more than two-thirds (69%) of women indicated that menopausal insomnia has adversely affected their mental health.
Interestingly, about 60% of women were not informed about methods that could help manage menopausal insomnia, and roughly half mentioned lacking a support network during this challenging period. Surprisingly, only 25% have sought help from their doctor.
What is menopause?
Menopause signifies the conclusion of menstrual cycles due to reduced hormone levels, typically affecting women between 45 and 55, though it can commence earlier for some.
It’s officially recognised as menopause when you’ve had no period for 12 consecutive months because your ovaries have stopped producing hormones. After this point, you are considered postmenopausal.
Some women go through menopause naturally or it can be induced by various factors such as surgical procedures like oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) or hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), cancer treatments including chemotherapy, or even genetic factors.
In some cases, the cause remains unknown.
Symptoms such as anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, hot flashes, and irregular periods may be experienced during menopause. These symptoms can begin several years before periods stop and may continue afterwards.
When does it happen?
The NHS states that the menopausal transition usually starts between the ages of 45 and 55. This phase generally lasts around seven years, but it can sometimes extend up to 14 years.
Early menopause refers to menopause that occurs before the age of 45. If menopause happens before the age of 40, it is known as premature menopause.
Approximately 5% of the population experiences spontaneous (natural) early menopause. Meanwhile, premature menopause is estimated to affect 1% of women under 40 and 0.1% of women under 30.
Premature menopause is distinct from typical menopause, which generally takes place between the ages of 45 and 55.
With premature menopause, the ovaries cease to work properly, resulting in egg production stopping far sooner than anticipated.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
As people go through the menopause, a variety of symptoms may be experienced.
These span from the well-known to the more surprising and can significantly impact everyday life, including sleep, which may worsen owing to hormonal changes or the effect of other menopausal symptoms.
Symptoms can be:
- hot flushes, when you have sudden feelings of hot or cold in your face, neck and chest which can make you dizzy
- difficulty sleeping, which may be a result of night sweats and make you feel tired and irritable during the day
- palpitations, when your heartbeats suddenly become more noticeable
- headaches and migraines that are worse than usual
- muscle aches and joint pains
- changed body shape and weight gain
- skin changes including dry and itchy skin
- reduced sex drive
- vaginal dryness and pain, itching or discomfort during sex
- recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- sensitive teeth, painful gums or other mouth problems
Many individuals also struggle with sleep issues. This occurs because of alterations in hormones or the consequences of other symptoms that might keep them awake or disrupt their rest.
Menopause specialist Dr Clare Spencer said: “We always recommend you speak to your healthcare practitioner or a menopause doctor if you’re experiencing menopausal symptoms or want to talk about your long-term health. They can discuss different options with you, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and advise on any lifestyle changes that could help.
“They should also be able to sign post you to information about the menopause and ways of managing symptoms.”
