CAUSES OF INSOMNIA IN WOMEN

Contributed by Emiliene Alemkeng

Insomnia entails having difficulties to sleep and equally staying asleep.  It is as a result of some primary causes (associated with stress, breathing challenges etc) and some secondary causes (associated with Hormonal changes like pregnancy, lactation, menopause etc). Below are few causes of insomnia in women.

STRESS / DEPRESSION

Insomnia due to stress affects women greatly because it keeps their brains overworked. Naturally, when they are faced with challenges from work, family or even finance, they find it very difficult to catch sleep. This is because, their mind remains troubled about all these preoccupations leaving them restless.

PREGNANCY

Pregnant women are faced with different challenges and insomnia is one. During pregnancy, they are confronted with nausea, excess hunger, anxieties, depression and stress which perturbs their sleep.

LACTATION

Breastfeeding moms are often challenged with insomnia because at every two to three hours their babies are in demand of breast milk. At night, they are wakened either by the baby’s cry for food or breast pain. These make their sleeping cycle unbalanced.

MENSTRUATION

Each menstrual phase has its effects on women’s sleeping routine be it pre-menstrual, menstrual or post menstrual phase. During this period, women confront sleeping disturbances because of cramps, uneasiness or hormone changes during ovulation. Therefore, it becomes very difficult for them to fall asleep or even stay asleep.

BREATHING CHALLENGES

Women faced with breathing issues caused by either asthma, cancer, sinuses or others are likely to face insomnia. With breath block, they can’t sleep at ease for they have to struggle to breath and this constantly troubles their sleep.

Insomnia in women can be caused by the above and more which are very detrimental to the woman’s health. It is thus, advisable to see a doctor if you are undergoing insomnia. Please don’t forget to leave your opinion, question or wishes in the comment section below.

                                                                                         Edited by Nicholine Akou