Menopause & Sleep

Casting a spotlight on middle age, new data exposes a disconcerting reality - millions of British women over the age of 40 still remain in the dark about the myriad of symptoms that accompany menopause and perimenopause.

 

A study of over 1000 women in the UK, who are perimenopausal or experiencing the menopause, found that they can only name an average of FOUR symptoms - a mere fraction of the 48 that can accompany the onset of those going through this transitional period. While just 6% of women believe they can name ten.  

 

Hot flushes [87%], night sweats [85%], and emotional mood swings [76%] are the three most commonly known symptoms, according to the study commissioned by sleep technology firm Simba.

 

But far fewer respondents are aware of lesser-known indications that are all side effects of midlife hormonal changes, such as dizziness, panic attacks, dental problems and itchy, crawly skin - despite over one in six [16%] grappling with this skin sensation daily. 

 

Only a quarter [26%] of those who battle xerostomia (dry mouth) and knotted muscles and tension at least once a month know this to be because of the menopause and perimenopause. While just 30% of those afflicted with gastrointestinal problems & nausea know their condition to be a symptom.

 

The research lays bare that 6 million women could be silently navigating a spectrum of physical and emotional shifts.

 

According to Simba’s findings, over a quarter [28%] of women who are perimenopausal or experiencing the menopause grapple each month with over 20 symptoms monthly, from mental wellbeing, skin mouth and eye problems to physical wellbeing.

 

Of those surveyed, over half [56%] are unaware that some of the symptoms they suffer with are linked to the perimenopause - the transitional phase before the menopause, which can begin in women in their early 40s. 

 

Simba, makers of innovative Stratos® temperature-regulating technology to bring cool and comfortable sleep to all, is a Founding Partner of GenM, the menopause partner for brands that works to empower companies to understand and cater to menopausal consumers and employees. 

 

Recognising the pivotal role that mattresses, pillows, duvets, and sleep accessories play in enhancing sleep quality, sleep tech innovator Simba now displays the M-Tick – the world’s first recognisable menopause-friendly symbol. 

 

Similar to the vegan V or gluten-free labelling, the M-tick was launched by GenM to make it easy for consumers to find products that support the 48 menopause symptoms, providing them with a wealth of choice to take control of their menopause in the way that best suits them.

 

Sam Simister, co-founder of GenM said: “The findings in Simba’s study tally with the research that we have conducted at GenM. In fact, our data reveals further that – despite an increase in discussions on the topic – women’s lived experience with menopause is not improving and women are becoming more anxious about it rather than less.

 

“This shows that we need more responsible brands like Simba to play their part in improving both awareness of symptoms and access to support and solutions.”

 

GenM recognises 48 medical, credible and clinical symptoms of the menopause, and the study also found that sleep disturbances [21.2%], hot flushes [21%] fatigue [19%], night sweats [17%] and weight gain [16%] are the five most crippling of symptoms.

 

With 39% of women suffering from sleep disturbances daily. 

 

Menopause occurs as a result of hormonal shifts, particularly a decrease in oestrogen and progesterone production within the ovaries. 

 

These two vital sex hormones play intricate roles in a myriad of functions affecting sleep patterns, appetite regulation, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.

 

Lisa Artis, deputy CEO at sleep tech firm Simba’s charity partner, The Sleep Charity said: “Oestrogen oversees the processing of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which plays a key role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.

 

“This hormone also influences nighttime body temperature, contributing to enhanced sleep quality and even possessing natural antidepressant properties.

 

“However, when a woman's oestrogen production tapers off, she may encounter elevated body temperatures (leading to hot flushes), emotional fluctuations, and a decline in sleep quality.

 

“‘Menopause-related insomnia can stretch on for weeks and months, if not properly treated, so it’s really important to take the decline in sleep quality seriously.”

 

Pairing innovation and indulgence, the Simba Hybrid® Luxe features eleven layers of refined and data-driven design and incorporates state of the art technology. Excelling in climate control, each layer in the sumptuous mattress works cohesively to promote airflow and cooling comfort - providing the most sought-after slumber yet. 

 

Simba has also extended its expertise to a range of thoughtfully crafted sleep essentials that benefit from Stratos® temperature-regulating technology, including the Simba’s Hybrid Duvet, hailed as ‘the menopause miracle’ and the Simba Stratos® Pillow.

 

This advanced Stratos® temperature control tech supports menopausal and perimenopausal women by creating a cool-touch surface and actively transfers heat away from the body, maintaining the comfort of the sleeper. 

 

There are around 15.5 million menopausal women in the UK at any one time and global figures are estimated to hit 1 billion by the year 2025. Yet, most feel entirely overlooked and underserved at home, at work and across society.

 

Sam Simister concludes: “We need to make it easy for those in menopause to find goods and services to ease, support and relieve the 48 symptoms, so they can take control of their menopause in the way that best suits them. We’re delighted to be working with Simba to implement the M-Tick – our world-first menopause-friendly symbol – in their range of products.”

 

 

Do you know your Menopause A-Z?

Just as learning the alphabet paved the way for effective communication as a child, getting to grips with the A-Z of menopause symptoms empowers women in mid-life to recognize and address changes in their bodies, promoting better physical and mental well-being.

A

• (1) ANXIETY

 

Ever feel like you're buzzing with tension, as if you're plugged into a live wire? It's there when you wake up and follows you around all day, making small things harder to shake off. You just want to let go of the worries and get back to feeling like yourself again. A major hint is when your mind goes into overdrive over everyday stuff – things that normally wouldn't bother you now drive you crazy. Plus, the thought of going out or hanging with friends loses its appeal, and you'd rather cosy up solo at home.

B

• (2) BREAKOUTS

 

Skin breakouts, akin to puberty's turmoil, stem from hormonal shifts. As oestrogen wanes, androgens persist, agitating oil glands, causing acne by clogging follicles. Hormone therapy, despite replacing oestrogen, floods the body with progestin, unsettling the skin. Unlike adolescent acne on T-zone, menopausal acne emerges along cheeks and jawline.

 

You might also find you have spots now when you didn’t have them when you were young. Dermatologists are finding that instances of acne in older women have been increasing for the last 10-20 years, with women often battling with breakouts for the first time as they reach middle-age.

 

• (3) BLADDER WEAKNESS

 

Whether it’s a few drops here and there, or a full-on accident, if you are battling with leaks, you’re not the only one. Urinary incontinence affects millions of women ‘of a certain age’. Hormonal changes (especially oestrogen going AWOL) can thin the lining of the urethra, the tube that takes pee from the bladder and out of your body. Your surrounding stomach and pelvic muscles can also be affected by hormonal changes and cause your bladder to change position.

 

• (4) BRAIN FOG

 

As oestrogen levels fluctuate and decline, it can affect neurotransmitters, brain structure, and blood flow, leading to cognitive symptoms like forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and mental cloudiness often referred to as brain fog.

 

• (5) BREATHING DIFFICULTIES

 

While not as widespread as other symptoms, a minority of women may encounter breathing difficulties during menopause. This symptom can manifest in various ways.

 

For some, a heightened shortness of breath emerges, while others grapple with diminished exercise capacity and fatigue. Menopause can also exacerbate pre-existing lung conditions, like asthma or chronic obstructive airway disease, potentially worsening them. Though the exact mechanisms behind breathing difficulties during menopause are not fully grasped, a dip in oestrogen could impact body inflammation, potentially influencing lung function.

C

• (6) CHANGES IN BREAST SIZE

 

As oestrogen reduces, breasts enter 'involution,' a phase where milk glands call it quits and fat steps in.

 

• (7) CHANGES IN SEX DRIVE

 

Has your sex drive made a swift exit, leaving no forwarding address? Blame it on the dwindling hormone levels, wreaking havoc not just on our bodies but also in our minds. And let's face it, for most women, a satisfying sex life demands a harmonious mind-body duo.

 

• (8) CHANGES IN SKIN TEXTURE

 

As oestrogen levels decline, so does the precious skin-plumping collagen, initiating this process during perimenopause. Collagen, constituting 75% of your skin, forms a crucial scaffold within the dermis, maintaining its firmness and elasticity.In menopause, studies reveal an initial 30% reduction in collagen over the first five years, followed by a gradual 2% decrease each year for the subsequent two decades.

 

Aging brings about dryness and a natural reduction in fatty tissue, leading to less firmness in your jawline, cheeks, and neck. This transition is marked by the appearance of crow's feet and lines around your upper lip.

D

• (9) DIZZINESS

 

Many women report feeling off-balance as their bodies start changing. As for the reasons behind dizziness during menopause? Well, the honest answer is that nobody has a precise answer right now.

 

• (10) DENTAL PROBLEMS (dry mouth, bleeding and receding gums)

 

As your oestrogen levels decline, your entire body, including your mouth, becomes drier. Unfortunately, bacteria can thrive in this dry setting, leading to tooth decay, as well as bleeding or receding gums.

 

• (11) DECREASING FERTILITY

 

Every woman’s reproductive timeline is different. Ovulation becomes more erratic as we age – so it can be hard to plot. The amount of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) produced by your brain increases as your number of eggs falls. But it’s tricky to get accurate blood or urine test results, as levels of this hormone also fluctuate as you go through perimenopause.

 

• (12) DEPRESSION

 

It's not just a case of feeling down. It's as if the joy of life has drained away. As oestrogen levels decrease, these brain chemicals can become imbalanced, potentially leading to mood disturbances and an increased vulnerability to depression.

 

If you’re coping with disrupted sleep, hot flushes, and anxiety just to name a few as well, it’s easy to see how you might slip into a very low mood. Because our hormones are fluctuating so erratically, some medical professionals believe the risk of depression increases because of this.

E

• (13) EYE DRYNESS

 

One of the less talked-about menopause symptoms is dry eyes, affecting approximately 10% of women undergoing this phase. This issue arises from inadequate tear production or ineffective tears. Our eyes are coated and kept moist by a tear film composed of a complex mix of water, oil, and mucus. When this film is lacking, the eyes can feel gritty, as if there's something inside. This can lead to sensations of stinging, burning, blurred vision, and irritation. While dry eyes are a common aspect of ageing, their intensity can heighten during menopause due to reduced oestrogen and androgens (male hormones present in all women).

 

• (14) EMOTIONAL SWINGS (MOOD SWINGS)

 

Feel like you're riding an emotional rollercoaster, with unpredictable highs and lows that seem to defy explanation? You’re not alone. Oestrogen works its magic, nudging us into high spirits and signalling the production of serotonin, another mood enhancer, but as your ovaries gradually ease up on the oestrogen and progesterone output, your emotional state can take a rollercoaster ride each time your body adapts to these hormone level changes.

 

That's why you might notice yourself getting irked more than usual for a week or two, followed by smoother emotional sailing for about a month. Perimenopause-induced bursts of fury have their own distinct flavour – they can ambush you out of thin air, turning tranquillity into boiling frustration in the blink of an eye.

F

• (15) FEELING COLD

 

As oestrogen levels decrease, the hypothalamus may become less effective in controlling temperature, leading to sensations of coldness, especially in response to minor temperature changes. Additionally, changes in blood circulation and metabolism that occur during menopause can also contribute to feeling chilly.

 

• (16) FIERY MOUTH

 

Oestrogen plays a role even in your saliva, influencing the bitter taste buds at the back of your tongue. Unfortunately, these buds are surrounded by an unhelpful gang of pain receptors. Experts suggest that decreasing oestrogen levels during perimenopause might cause damage to these taste buds, resulting in uncomfortable sensations, ranging from dryness to metallic tastes and even fiery mouth pain.

 

• (17) FATIGUE

 

Fatigue is a very common symptom. It's that horrible feeling where you have no energy - and for no evident reason - and it’s caused by hormone imbalances.

G

• (18) GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS & NAUSEA

 

Does nausea make an appearance during menopause and perimenopause? Absolutely. Do we have the full scoop on why? Unfortunately, not quite.

 

Here's the deal: it's more likely to show up during perimenopause, especially in the AM. One idea floating around is that lower progesterone levels can kick off a party of gastrointestinal woes – bloating, heartburn, and indigestion, all having their say in the nausea game.

 

Perimenopausal and menopausal tag-alongs like fatigue and anxiety can also throw their hats in the ring, causing some serious tummy turmoil. Stress in the brain? That's like pressing a turbo for your gut. Now, let's add a little more fuel to the fire. Low oestrogen waves the flag for cortisol, the stress hormone, and adrenaline, the fight-or-flight MVP. This dynamic duo could be behind the scenes, twisting your digestive function into knots.

 

And as you shimmy from perimenopause to menopause, nausea might shuffle offstage, replaced by gusty winds, constipation, and a stomachache. No, it's not the most glamorous forecast, but consider us your weather guides through the storm.

H

• (19) HEADACHES AND MIGRAINES

 

Perhaps you're no stranger to the occasional headache during your monthly cycle. But if they have taken a turn for the worse lately, it can be part of the menopause mix. As our bodies navigate the perimenopause, the hormonal duo of progesterone and oestrogen, which regulate our cycles, play an energetic game of yo-yo. These fluctuations can amplify the intensity of headaches and migraines, leaving you feeling dizzy and nauseated. The silver lining is that this phase won't last forever. As you transition from perimenopause into menopause, most women find themselves dealing with fewer and less severe headaches.

 

• (20) HEART PALPITATIONS

 

It can strike out of the blue – skipped beats, extra beats, and a heart that's suddenly racing. Or perhaps you've become acutely conscious of your heartbeat in a manner you've never been before? The ebb and flow of oestrogen and progesterone levels can cast a ripple effect on numerous bodily functions during perimenopause and menopause – including your cardiovascular system.

 

• (21) HOT FLUSHES

 

The “poster child” symptom of the menopause. Whether it sneaks up on you or builds gradually, the sensation is unmistakable: an intense wave of heat, akin to being placed right beneath a sunbed. Typically, these hot flushes retreat within four minutes, yet some dash away in mere seconds, while others linger for up to ten minutes.

 

In addition to a flushed complexion that engulfs your face, neck, and chest, you might notice warm skin and upper body perspiration. This fiery episode might even give your heart an irregular dance and leave your fingertips tingling. Toss night sweats and changes in blood pressure into the mix, and you've got a less-than-enjoyable combo.

 

Severity varies based on the individual and where you stand in your menopausal journey. While a considerable 75% of women experience hot flushes, some might hardly notice a few per week, while others might endure several sweaty rounds each hour.

I

• (22) IRREGULAR PERIODS

 

For years, your periods might have been as dependable as clockwork or a tad offbeat but still within reason. Yet now, your body seems to have chucked the schedule right out the window. Your once predictable "time of the month" has become a wild card. When it does decide to show up, it could be an all-out event or a mere blip on the radar. So, what's behind these capricious periods?

 

You guessed it – those hormones are at it again. Imbalances in oestrogen and progesterone are the culprits behind the irregular and unpredictable nature of these cycles. They could be lighter, heavier, more frequent, or more spaced out than you're used to.

 

• (23) IRRITABILITY

 

Irritability – we all get it, and it's part of the package. Yet, thanks to the menopause, you might notice it's cranking up the volume, hitting the pedal, and going from zero to sixty in a flash.

 

Remember the days when a mere eye-roll was enough for that mug left astray or that turtle-paced cashpoint user? Well, now, you're feeling like you're about to erupt like a volcano. According to Simba’s survey, 22% of women weathering the perimenopause or menopause experience  irritability daily.

 

As oestrogen takes its leave, it leaves a trail of not-so-pleasant side effects in its wake, with irritability, stress, anxiety, and memory glitches making their grand entrance. It's like those hormones are staging a rebellion, even loosening your grip on the emotional volume dial.

 

• (24) ITCHY CRAWLY SKIN

 

The official term for this peculiar phenomenon is 'pruritus.' It often sneaks onto the scene during perimenopause and might even linger as you officially cross the menopause threshold. Oestrogen is the maestro behind collagen production, the skin's essential building block. It’s also the mastermind behind the skin's natural oils, those VIPs that keep your skin well-hydrated.

 

So, when oestrogen decides to take a little vacation, your skin might start feeling like a dry, thin, and itchy desert. Most women find this sensation throwing a party on their neck, chest, and back, but honestly, it's an equal-opportunity phenomenon that can grace any part of your body.

J

• (25) JOINT PAIN

 

Ever wake up feeling like the Tin Man, needing a WD40 spritz to get moving? That morning stiffness you're grappling with might not be an age thing – it could be waving the perimenopause or menopause banner. Oestrogen seems to have a hand in kicking off those musculoskeletal aches and pains that come knocking during menopause. It messes