{"id":119946,"date":"2024-02-29T12:08:43","date_gmt":"2024-02-29T12:08:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stories.qvcuk.com\/?p=119946"},"modified":"2024-03-04T13:52:45","modified_gmt":"2024-03-04T13:52:45","slug":"sleep-soundly-with-silentnight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stories.qvcuk.com\/menopause-your-way\/jessica-m\/sleep-soundly-with-silentnight\/","title":{"rendered":"Sleep soundly with Silentnight"},"content":{"rendered":"

Silentnight<\/a> is one of the most beloved brands stocked at QVC, offering a considered edit of bedding, mattresses, furniture and accessories all designed to help you sleep better.<\/p>\n

We sat down with Hannah Shore, Sleep Knowledge and Research Manager,\u00a0to find out how sleep changes in menopause, along with top tips to support your sleep using some of these superb Silentnight<\/a> products.<\/p>\n

All about hormones<\/strong><\/p>\n

The menstrual cycle comes to an end due to a change in hormones. Throughout the menstrual cycle, there is a regulation of hormones defined by the changes in two particular hormones; Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). These in turn effect the production of steroid hormones oestrogen and progesterone. The beginning of the menstrual cycle sees a slight rise in FSH which causes ovarian follicles to enlarge and produce oestrogen levels to rise through the first half of the cycle called the Follicular Phase.<\/p>\n

When oestrogen levels come to a peak this prompts the second half of the 28 day cycle, called the Luteal Phase. The increase in oestrogen instigates a reduction of FSH and a sudden release of LH which prompts oestrogen to decline in production and sees progesterone as the dominant hormone throughout these days.<\/p>\n

During the menopause we see significant changes in these hormones. The onset of menopause sees the ovaries become less responsive to FSH with a decrease in the stimulation of ovarian follicles. This in turn reduces the amount of oestrogen that is produced. As there is a lack of oestrogen it means the body continues to produce FSH so we see increased levels of FSH and decreased levels of oestrogen throughout the menopause.<\/p>\n

Along with the reduction in oestrogen and FSH we also see progesterone gradually decreasing in production with age. It is suggested that these changes in hormones cannot just have physiological effects on the body, the menopause also sees an increase of psychological issues such as depression and sociocultural factors such as religion, financial anxiety and the future.<\/p>\n

How these hormones affect sleep<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oestrogen<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Oestrogen can directly affect sleep architecture, the amount of time we spend in each different stage of sleep. Oestrogen has a direct impact on REM sleep, lighter sleep which is responsible for learning, memory consolidation and emotional processing. A reduction of oestrogen can cause people to find it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.<\/p>\n

Progesterone<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Progesterone helps to regulate our core body temperature. Temperature is important when it comes to sleep, in order to get access to that good quality sleep we need, our core body temperature needs to drop by a couple of degrees. It has also been suggested that progesterone is related to NREM sleep, a deeper stage of sleep which is responsible for repairing the body and flushing out any build up of toxins from the previous day. Therefore dysregulation of progesterone can cause spikes in core body temperature and a lighter more fractured sleeping pattern.<\/p>\n

Tips for a better night\u2019s sleep<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are not going to stop menopause from happening, the dysregulation of hormones and their effect will still happen, however we may be able to deal with some of the side effects which reduce our sleep. The main area we should focus on is temperature control. Around 75% of menopausal women will suffer from vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats and there are lots of ways in which we can cool our bedroom down:<\/strong><\/p>\n