Hot Flashes Are Not the Only Cause of Sleep Disturbances Around Menopause

Half the women in this study had primary sleep disorders.

Sleep complaints are common in peri- and postmenopausal women, and hot flashes have been shown to awaken women from sleep. To determine the source of perimenopausal sleep complaints in 102 women (age range, 44–56), investigators assessed their sleep by both subjective and objective means.

Participants’ sleep histories and mood were assessed on standardized instruments; participants also underwent overnight complete polysomnography. Fifty-four women (53%) had primary sleep disorders; 31 women had clinically significant periodic limb movements (PLMs), 23 had significant sleep apnea, and 6 had both. Fifty-seven women (56%) had hot flashes during the night. The major predictors of reduced sleep efficiency in the laboratory were apnea and PLMs, w…

Reviewing Author

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)