After I had children I thought that I would never sleep through the night again. There was a brief respite between the ages of 5 and 16, but then the kids started driving and sleepless nights started again.
Now, it's perimenopause/menopause and a night of solid, blissful sleep alludes me. Frequently women in transition awake several times a night. We can thank our ovaries for that. They stop producing as much estrogen as they used to and we are thrown into hormonal swings that can make us want to howl like coyotes during the day, and leave us watching the clock in the middle of the night.
Melatonin is another issue. It is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland that promotes sleep. The pineal gland turns off during the day when it is light, and turns on at night. Melatonin is produced in greater levels when we are young, but production slows down as we age. It is thought that this may be another reason why we have difficulty sleeping as we get older.
Synthetic melatonin is produced, but because it is not categorized as a drug, it does not need FDA approval. In addition, studies concerning the effects and benefits of synthetic melatonin are somewhat inconclusive. Personally, I am always hesitant about taking any type of medication or supplements. So, I am seeking feedback for myself and for others who may be thinking about this.
If you have tried melatonin, what have been your experiences? Have you used it occasionally or on a regular basis? Any side effects? Did it work?
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