An AI-generated image of a perimenopausal woman experiencing hot flashes. Her head appears to be on fire internally.

The Sleep Finding That Could One Day Change The Perimenopause Experience

Michael Hunter, MD
BeingWell

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As a physician who sees hundreds of women each year who have breast cancer, I am always thinking about helping them navigate through perimenopause and menopause.

I have been writing a lot about perimenopause, the time when a cisgender woman’s body prepares for menopause.

For most of my patients, perimenopause starts in their early 40s (and sometimes earlier). This pre-menopause phase often lasts four to eight years.

The Challenges of Perimenopause

With perimenopause, a woman’s ovaries decrease their estrogen production, resulting in the menstrual cycle becoming irregular or stopping.

Photo by Christopher Campbell on Unsplash

Alas, the transition is often accompanied by symptoms, including the following:

  • hot flashes
  • night sweats
  • generalized fatigue
  • low sex drive
  • sudden mood shifts
  • sleep challenges

It is the last issue that I want to address today.

Perimenopause and Sleep

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Michael Hunter, MD
BeingWell

I have degrees from Harvard, Yale, and Penn. I am a radiation oncologist in the Seattle area. You may find me regularly posting at www.newcancerinfo.com