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Sleep disturbance during menopause

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Clinical Pharmacology of Sleep

Conclusion

Sleeping problems are a severe public health problem, imposing a serious burden on the individual and society both medically and economically. Climacterium often causes or worsens sleep disturbances. Thus, effective management already at the acute phase will lead to the best outcome. According to women’s own judgment, HT significantly improves sleep quality, although studies using polysomnography have reported inconsistent results. HT can thus be considered as a first line therapy for menopausal sleeping problems, especially if other climacteric symptoms are also present. Part of the sleep disturbances may just coincide with the menopausal period and are thus not of endocrinological origin. Therefore, if no relief during HT has been achieved within a few months, or if symptoms and signs direct on other underlying causes, further medical examinations are warranted.

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Polo-Kantola, P. (2006). Sleep disturbance during menopause. In: Pandi-Perumal, S.R., Monti, J.M. (eds) Clinical Pharmacology of Sleep. Birkhäuser Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-7643-7440-3_12

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