Many menopausal women experience hot flashes that can cause a lack of sleep because they occur at night, often waking a woman from a deep sleep. A lack of sleep may be one of the biggest problems you face as you approach menopause. Too little sleep can affect your mood, health, and ability to cope with daily activities. Some women have less rapid eye movement—known as REM—sleep. This is the stage of sleep when you dream. REM sleep makes up about 20% of an adult's normal sleep cycle. Without it, you may wake up without feeling rested. Some women approaching menopause also may find it takes longer to get to sleep.
