Can't Sleep? You're Probably a Woman

   By drodriguez  May 18, 2007
39

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 60 million Americans a year experience frequent or extended bouts of insomnia. Women are twice as likely to suffer from insomnia than men. There are times in a woman’s life when insomnia is more likely to strike like during menopause, pregnancy, postpartum period, or at any point when a person is feeling especially stressed.

After reading the statistics and causes of insomnia in women it’s not a stretch to say that sleepless nights affect us all at some point in our lives, some more than others. Since prescription and over-the-counter sleeping aids can be extremely habit-forming, many women try to combat insomnia naturally.

Just a quick internet search will turn up a myriad of natural remedies claiming to be able to send you off to slumber-land in no time. Some people say no television, big meals, or vigorous exercise one hour before bedtime. Others claim that herbal teas like chamomile will help relax you enough to get some shut-eye.

Since everyone is different you may have to try it all or come up with your own ways to de-stress before you hit the sack.

Do you have a no-fail nighttime routine?
What do you do when you just can’t seem to fall asleep?

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ttad49 by ttad49 | Geneva, OH
Jun 03, 2009

mochamama4 what is the name of that essential oil??? I would like to find some and try it.

mochamama4 by mochamama4 | Vancouver, WA
Aug 30, 2008

I'm a menopausal woman that has suffered with restless legs for many years. It seemed to get worse after stopping my hormonal therapy. I discovered a wonderful product from Natures Inventory. Its an essential oil that is rubbed on the lower back before bedtime. since I started using it this restless legs have disappeard. I highly recommend this product for anyone that has trouble sleeping due to restless legs!!!!

jillianlf by jillianlf | San Francisco, CA
Nov 14, 2007

I recommend trying a new product called Dreamerz. It tastes great (it's a beverage) and works wonders!

IRISH58 by IRISH58 | staten island, NY
Aug 08, 2007

put some nice soft music on .you will fall asleep or take a tyaonl pm and put a cover over your eyes. make it nice and dark i work nights i sleep in the day but when im off it changes my sleep then i sleeps at night it makes you a little nuts so you have to come up with some new ways to go to sleep

dezigner1 by dezigner1 | MISSION VIEJO, CA
Jul 10, 2007

I am so glad to hear I am not alone on this issue! (Sorry, misery loves company!) As a 47 yr.-old woman. it's a somewhat typical problem. I finally have it down to falling asleep within an hour of going to bed by using white noise to help bore me to sleep! I purposely bought an air purifier that is not whisper quiet to help lull me to sleep. I suppose my brain gets into the monotonous drone and finally I can turn of my brain to sleep. Now to find a solution to staying asleep!

howsbyyou by howsbyyou | North Tonawanda, NY
Jul 07, 2007

I have been using over the counter progesterone cream. I have no night sweats or hot flashes! I told my friend about it. She can have 4 hot flashes in a 12 minute conversation. She is flash free!! A small dab you rub it in on your thigh. You can find it at a health or vitamin store. Hope this helps with your sleeping.

workerbee by workerbee | Jackson, NJ
Jul 04, 2007

Friends and I were just discussing this topic yesterday. It seems just about every woman I know has this problem, including myself. It was stated that our children (who are teenagers) sleep like the dead until noon. I think they are just saving up for when they become like us.

MYOWN47 by MYOWN47 | GRAND BAY, AL
Jun 21, 2007

MYOWN47 I STARTED HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING AFTER MY 3RD CHILD .SHE IS NOW 17 .I HAD ENDOMETREOSIS AND HAD A COMPLETE HYSTORECTOMY IN WHICH I LOST OVER HALF MY BLOOD FROM A NICK TO MY NERVE SYSTEM I HAVE BEEN ON EVERYTHING POSSIBLE I CANNOT SLEEP I HAVE EVEN TAKEN 20 MG OF AMBIEM CR AND ONLY SLEEP FOR 4 HOURS .I TRIED HERBAL REMIDIES EVERYTHING WHEN I DO CRASH AFER DAYS WITHOUT SLEEP I HAVE HORRIBLE DREAMS OR SLEEPWALK I WAS TOLD THAT THE NICK WHEN I HAD SURGERY DAMAGED ME AND WILL NEVER SLEEP NORMALLY AGAIN.I'M ALL OF 47 SO THIS DOES STINK BIG TIME. IV'E BEEN TO SEVERAL DOCTORS AND ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS GIVE ME PILLS HAVE YOU EVER READ ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS.

kabcat by kabcat | Jonesborough, TN
Jun 20, 2007

I would suggest to all to ask there doctor for a sleep study i have suffered with no sleep for years and my doctor suggested a sleep study and i have already went for my sleep study and i need a machine that will help me to make sure i get enough air, apparently i don't breath well in my sleep i also have very weird and vivid dreams that feel real and also night terrors i never feel asleep even when i am. I go for my next sleep study soon to fit me with my machine i will write again to let you all know if it helps me.Feel free to ask me any questions if you want, kabcat

amerksfan1 by amerksfan1 | Rochester, NY
Jun 15, 2007

Geesh and here I thought it was just me with the no sleep and menopause. Thanks for informing me, now I understand why I can't stay asleep at night and now whats bugging me is im up 2-3 times to go to the bathroom, good glory I must be getting old, lol

chinadoll by chinadoll | WEST ORANGE, NJ
Jun 06, 2007

Since the onset of menopause I have had nightsweats and many sleepness nights. I am not one to try medications so I have tried yoga and meditation. So far, short of wacking myself in the head, meditation seems to be the best... I meditate just before bed and it relaxes me enough to get me into a pretty deep sleep.

scatsh by scatsh | COLUMBIA, SC
Jun 02, 2007

I don't sleep at all. It started over 2 years ago. When I was found out I had horrible reflux at age 28. I sleep about 2 hours and get up, then 2 hours and get up, and then another hour and up for good. It sucks. I have tried sleep med, but I have to be up at 6:15am and take my husband to work and I feel alseep at the wheel a few times and stopped the meds. I have decided I will always be like this. That helps a little.

mazsdps by mazsdps | Lavaca, AR
Jun 01, 2007

I just logged on and read this subject. It is now 6:15 am and I have not been to bed yet! I wish I could fall asleep on a rock like my husband and son do! What's up with men being able to sleep anywhere? When I do go to bed it takes at least an hour or two with me laying there staring at the ceiling before I drift off. I do have sleep apnea and have to sleep with a C-Pap machine so when I do get to sleep I get a good sound sleep. I just wish I could get a FULL nights sleep, lol!

mafalis by mafalis | manteno, IL
Jun 01, 2007

I use valerian root tea to relax me, but some nights nothing helps and I just toss & turn till i'm fed up & plop down in front of the tv or computer. While, my loving husband never seems to have any trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or even napping...grrr

celloperson by celloperson | Carneys Point, NJ
May 28, 2007

one melatonin and if it's a BAD night, i'll take a benadryl. i dont suggest taking advil or tylenol PM to sleep unless you have pain. the active ingredient that puts you to sleep is diphenhydramine... which is benadryl!