Article about sleep and women: It's different

@gravity3
Thanks for sharing
I struggle with sleep, I do not have sleep apnea, take meds, but little helps.

Is there anything in particular in article that you found helpful?

I have struggled with sleep for years. Stress, anxiety are no friend and my mind doesn't know how to relax. I take 1/2 of trazadone when needed.
First it was menopause with the hot flashes, restless that kept me up. Then came some very stressful situations in my family, loss of parents, husband health issues & more daily stress. Post-menopause decided it was time to join in, so dry skin-dry everything, osteoporosis, brain fog and new vitamins, medications to adjust to hopped on the wagon of aging. I am currently waiting for a meditation center to call me back, in hopes that will bring calmness to my mind, body, surroundings.
Struggle is real and answers are harder.

@kris1130
I am 69 years old and a retired nurse. I have always had trouble falling asleep due to many reasons. I am on medications, and have had my complications as surgeries, a history of brain cancer, etc. I have found Melatonin, which is over the counter. I take one half to one hour before the time I want to sleep. This works well for me. Hope it does for you.

@worley725

Thank you for the suggestion. I did try melatonin briefly but I didn't have any luck with it at the time but may try again.
I have some success with thc 9 gummies (this thc strain is legal here). I take 1/2 in the evening and in about 10 min. I fall asleep for an average of 6 hours. That part is great but I am not sure that it produces the deepest state of sleep. I am hoping that the bhrt that I started a year ago will be a help. Thanks again for your suggestion.

@worley725
I tried melatonin years ago but would only give me a few hrs of sleep, if any some nights. I never felt I had a restful sleep. I tried several brands, capsules, under the tongue.

In response to your question regarding Melatonin. I have success with it, usually I only take one of the 5mg, but if it doesn't help - occasionally I will take a second gummy. You might want to try it again. You should check with your doctor to make sure there are no complications.

Melatonin makes me hungry if I take it regularly. Source Naturals Theanine Serene with Magnesium sometimes helps. But I take a load of sleep-inducing medicine mostly at bedtime for mental health, fibro and IC along with Progesterone that do often work well me but sometimes I still need a sedative. I am 49 and newly postmenopausal.

@worley725

Thank you. Good idea to check with my doc

I'm 79 and have had no problems with sleeping but since my husband died in 2024, I have had nights when I just couldn't get to sleep or would sleep only for about an hour and then be wide awake! I'm sure this is all due to the stress of being alone and missing my husband terribly! I take a shower every night and that relaxes me but when I can't get to sleep I take 1/2 of a 200 mg. Ibuprofen. That seems to work well for me. You could probably take a whole 200 mg. Ibuprofen but I react to medications so I always take less.

Also reading a good book before I go to bed helps. I always say a prayer too before I go to sleep and that seems to relax me also.
PML

@pml

Sounds like pain relief helps you sleep better. I used to work with a lady who took an Aspirin when she needed help sleeping. I was a good sleeper until my late 30s. Been downhill since then.