Hormonal Sleepiness

[Treehugger]

For the past two years I have been suffering through perimenopause.  My Gyn. has prescribed estrogen and micronized progesterone.  The worst symptoms that remain are insomnia (early wakening) and daytime sleepiness/fatigue.  Other natural sleep aids were not effective.  Two weeks ago I was prescribed Trazadone (50 mg) by a psychiatrist to see if that would help.  This started to help right away and life was getting back to normal.  But the last two days I noticed that I am having trouble sleeping again and that I am very groggy during the day.  I was really hoping this would work.

This may have to do with my hormone fluctuations.  But could the Trazadone be causing the daytime grogginess or do I need to take more Trazadone to improve my sleep?  It is hard to pinpoint what is causing the problem?

Another option the psychiatrist offered was to begin monophasic birth control pills.

Do you have any suggestions for improving my sleep and curing the daytime grogginess?  Other than the above I am healthy as a horse - 43 years old - normal weight - no previous mental health issues.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You might start by increasing the dose of Trazadone to see what happens..it is very good for your kind of insomnia, and is probably the first thing to try.

[Treehugger]

Thanks so much - I will try that.