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Worst Menopause Symptom? Lack of Sleep
April 22, 2008 -- New research shows that women in early menopause report that lack of sleep is their biggest problem.
Researchers interviewed 110 women. All were healthy white women between the ages of 43 and 55 with an average age of 49. They all had experienced their last menstrual period within the last three years.
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The study rated the persistence and severity of these symptoms: hot flashes, day sweats, night sweats, vaginal dryness, sleep difficulties, mood issues, and forgetfulness.
The respondents were asked if they had a certain symptom during the past week and if so to rate how severe it was.
The survey showed that:
- 94.5% had difficulty sleeping
- 92% felt forgetful
- 83% had hot flashes
- 87% experienced irritability
- 85.5% had night sweats
The most severe symptoms among the participants were trouble sleeping, night sweats, and irritability.
The respondents said they were less affected by day sweats, depressed mood, vaginal dryness, and breakthrough bleeding.
Researcher Judith A. Berg, PhD, says in a news release that "our study looked at women who were relatively young and the time lapse since their last period was shorter than in a number of previous studies. It is known that hot flashes or flushes increase as the menopause progresses and emerging data suggests that other symptoms are more severe in the earlier stages."
The researchers say only highly symptomatic women were recruited and they may not reflect the general population. Also, only white women were involved in order to isolate any cultural differences in how symptoms are perceived.
The findings appear in the April issue of Journal of Clinical Nursing.
(What have you tried that helped you get better sleep during menopause? Share with others on the Menopause: Support Group board.)
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VIVELLE-DOT (estradiol transdermal system) IS AVAILABLE BY PRESCRPTION ONLY.
INDICATION
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.
You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Vivelle-Dot.
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