Wies: "I was a star at sleeping, until menopause made its entrance..."

It felt as though I had inherited someone else’s sleep process. I didn’t recognise myself in it anymore. “It’s like my sleep is broken,” I kept saying. I had trouble falling asleep or would wake up around four in the morning and couldn’t get back to sleep. The next day, I would feel utterly exhausted.

The first week, I decided to wait it out, thinking it might be temporary. But when I was still sleeping poorly after two weeks, I went to see the gynaecologist I knew through my work. I was aware that hormone therapy could sometimes help with sleep problems during menopause. Even though I didn’t have many other symptoms, not being able to sleep was reason enough for me to seek help. Without proper sleep, I’m good for nothing.

I was prescribed Utrogestan (progesterone pills) and Lenzetto (an estradiol spray). You won’t believe it, but within two weeks, I was sleeping well again. It’s mainly the progesterone pills that help with poor sleep. They are intended to protect the uterine lining but have the side effect of improving sleep.

The factory was back in business! I was so enthusiastic about it that I recommended it to all my friends who were struggling with sleep issues. Not everyone responds equally well to it, but many women benefit from it. It also helps reduce hot flushes, which is another plus.

Now, a few years later, I’ve noticed that ageing itself also affects sleep. The biological clock slows down, less melatonin is produced, and you produce more urine at night compared to your younger years. The result? You have to get out of bed more often to pee.

That last part is absolutely true. I have to get up at least once every night, but other than that, you won’t hear me complaining. I only run into trouble if I drink alcohol or go to bed too late. The good news: most sleep problems resolve themselves after menopause.

Sleep well!

Wies Verbeek (58) is a journalist, founder of the website BLOW.nl, and author of the book ’n Beetje Leuk Ouder Worden, 101 verrassende en bewezen tips (A Bit of Fun Ageing Gracefully, 101 Surprising and Proven Tips). And she’s right in the middle of menopause.