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Writer's pictureJen Walpole

How Our Hormones Impact Insomnia




1. Oestrogen plays a key role in regulating sleep-wake cycles.  A drop in levels right before your period can cause cycle related insomnia. It can lead to difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up feeling unrested.


2. Progesterone, another key sex hormone, has a complex relationship with sleep. It has a calming effect in women and also increases body temperature in women during their luteal phase (second half of the cycle), resulting in increased sleepiness. If you are struggling with insomnia, it may be related to a drop in progesterone, which we often see in perimenopause or just before your period.


3. Melatonin, the hormone that regulates our sleep-wake cycle, can also be impacted by hormonal fluctuations.  Some women experience a decrease in melatonin production during the premenstrual phase, leading to difficulty falling asleep.


4. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms themselves like anxiety, mood swings, and cramps can also disrupt sleep.  The hormonal fluctuations associated with PMS can lead to increased stress hormones like cortisol, further hindering sleep quality.


5. Finally, the thyroid gland plays a vital role in regulating metabolism and sleep.  Conditions like hypothyroidism, which can be more common in women, particularly in women with PCOS or during the perimenopause/menopause, can cause fatigue during the day and difficulty sleeping at night


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