CONNECT 2024 | Break the Cycle of Insomnia and Mood Concerns in Menopause | Lylen Ferris, ND

Sleep is a pillar of health. Sleep duration and quality are important contributors to health and wellness. Insufficient sleep is associated with an increased risk for mood concerns like depression and anxiety. There is a bidirectional relationship between sleep and mental health. Depression, stress, or anxiety all increase a patient’s likelihood of developing insomnia. At the same time, up to 50% of patients experiencing insomnia also have a mental health disorder. A meta-analysis that collectively included 172,077 individuals found that those with insomnia had a twofold increased risk of developing depression compared with individuals without insomnia. Clearly, addressing insomnia is a priority when mood concerns are present. Statistics indicate 50% of menopausal women report issues with getting a restorative night’s sleep. The etiologies of insomnia during menopause can be as varied as the patients who experience it, but it is frequently accompanied by fatigue and mood concerns. HPA axis dysfunction, melatonin dysregulation, and hormone and neurotransmitter imbalance are known to play key roles. Neuroendocrine imbalance can contribute to the likelihood of insomnia as well as mood concerns. Serotonin and dopamine are not the only factors at play in mood; other neurotransmitter imbalances could be involved – norepinephrine, histamine, phenethylamine, glutamate, and so on -- as well as hormone changes. Women have nearly double the risk of mood disorders compared to men. These sex differences are observed not only in the U.S. but are also documented worldwide. This sex disparity indicates a potential role for gonadal hormones in the etiology of anxiety and depressive disorders. In fact, studies have revealed that women are more likely to experience mood disturbances, anxiety, depression, and insomnia during times of hormonal flux, such as puberty, post-partum periods, and menopause. Additionally, poor sleep routines and sleep environments, medications and pathologies can contribute to difficulty sleeping. Adrenal dysfunction and neurotransmitter balance are interwoven and, in fact, even share two of the same hormones/neurotransmitters (norepinephrine and epinephrine). An integrated approach works synergistically to bring relief to both insomnia and mood concerns. Correcting insomnia may include reversing insulin resistance, balancing melatonin cycles, addressing hormone imbalance, and removing other obstacles to good restful sleep. Get state-of-the-art assessment and clinical interventions for these conditions. Clinical interventions will focus on lifestyle interventions, primarily mindfulness and exercise, as well as bioidentical hormonal balancing (BHRT), and amino acid, nutraceutical, and botanical treatment protocols.