This study looked at insomnia in menopausal women and found that different types of progesterone replacement had different effects.
Twenty-one postmenopausal women were studied. They were randomized to receive estrogen plus synthetic medroxyprogesterone acetate or estrogen plus bioidentical progesterone.
Sleep efficiency was found to be significantly improved in the progesterone group with no such increase observed in the medroxyprogesterone acetate group. Time spent awake after sleep onset was also significantly improved in the progesterone group but not in the medroxyprogesterone acetate group.
CONCLUSION: This study suggests that bioidentical progesterone might better improve the quality of sleep in postmenopausal women taking estrogen.
OUR COMMENT: We regularly see women complaining of poor sleep during perimenopause and menopause. Chronic sleep deprivation may contribute to weight gain, insulin resistance, mood problems, cognitive function and daytime fatigue. Restoring healthy sleep can make a profound difference in a woman's quality of life.
Menopause. 2001 Jan-Feb;8(1):10-6.
Sleep in menopause: differential effects of two forms of hormone replacement therapy.
Montplaisir J, Lorrain J, Denesle R, Petit D.
