Myths vs facts: Menopause Check and Schlaf

Menopause is commonly linked to sleep disturbances, but myths vs facts need careful separation. Fact: Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats) can fragment sleep, especially during perimenopause. Fact: Obstructive sleep apnea risk increases after menopause due to hormonal changes affecting airway collapsibility. Myth: All sleep problems are caused by estrogen decline. In reality, mood disorders, stress, and aging itself contribute. Myth: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) reliably fixes sleep. Evidence is mixed; HRT may help some women but carries risks. Melatonin and botanicals like black cohosh lack strong efficacy data. Consumer DNA tests claiming to predict menopause-related sleep issues are not clinically validated. Evidence grade: mixed (observational, mechanistic). Practical advice: track sleep patterns, consider a sleep study if snoring or daytime fatigue, and prioritize sleep hygiene before supplements.