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Hot Flashes and Sleep Disorders

Are hot flashes solely to blame for sleep problems in menopausal women?
A new study reported in the February 2008 issue of Harvard Women’s Health Watch indicates that hot flashes may not be the sole cause of sleep disruption in menopausal women. The cause of the interruptions in sleep may actually be caused by primary sleep disorders such as insomnia or sleep apnea.
The investigation found that only half of the women studied had not only hot flashes but sleep disorders.
Most women may not be receiving the proper treatment because they attribute the sleep disruptions to menopause. Women may often assume that their sleep problems are a result of hot flashes, but treating hot flashes isn’t likely to resolve a serious sleep disorder.
If you are a menopausal woman with sleeping difficulties, consult your doctor to determine if it is solely hot flashes or an underlying sleep disorder.
This article is a summary adaptation of “Hot Flashes Not Always to Blame for Sleep Problems in Menopausal Women, Reports the Harvard Women’s Health Watch” February 5, 2008; http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/menopause-and-sleep.htm