Insomnia

Why You’re Not Sleeping: The Hormonal Imbalance Behind Insomnia

 As we age, key hormones that regulate our sleep-wake cycle begin to shift.

Estrogen and progesterone both play calming, sleep-promoting roles in the brain.

Progesterone has a natural sedative effect, while estrogen supports serotonin and melatonin production. When they drop during perimenopause or menopause, sleep becomes fragmented and restless.

Another player? Melatonin, the hormone that tells your body it's time to sleep, also declines with age.

And lesser-known but equally important, inhibin (which regulates the reproductive hormone FSH) also drops, contributing to midlife hormonal chaos that can disrupt your circadian rhythm.

Common Symptoms:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking too early or in the middle of the night
• Daytime fatigue
• Mood swings and irritability

Root Causes:

• Low estrogen → reduced serotonin/melatonin
• Low progesterone → less GABA-like calming effect
• Cortisol imbalance → alert brain at night
• Melatonin and inhibin decline → disrupted circadian rhythm

Natural Options for Sleep Support:

• Magnesium glycinate - Calms the nervous system
• L-theanine - Promotes relaxation without sedation
• Melatonin - Supports circadian rhythm
• GABA or glycine: Can promote deeper sleep when taken at night
• Vitamin B6 and 5-HTP: Support serotonin and melatonin synthesis
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Hormonal Support:

• Progesterone at bedtime- safe, naturally sedating
• Low-dose estradiol - Helps with sleep, especially when combined with progesterone in perimenopausal or menopausal women

The right combination depends on your unique hormone profile.

 If you're struggling with sleep, we offer personalized hormone and supplement plans to help restore balance — and rest.