The Sleep Doctor: The 4 Hormones Wrecking Your Sleep & What to Do About It

If you're in perimenopause or menopause, sleep has probably become something you think about all the time. Falling asleep, staying asleep, waking up at 3am, feeling exhausted, waking up anxious even when you did fall asleep. Perimenopause sleep disruption and menopause insomnia are real, they are hormonal, and they are not your fault. The nights can feel endless. That's why Tamsen Fadal invited Dr. Andrea Matsumura on The Tamsen Show. A board-certified sleep medicine physician, menopause expert, and creator of the D.R.E.A.M. Sleep Method, Dr. Matsumura breaks down exactly what is happening in the body when sleep falls apart in midlife and gives you the tools to get better sleep in perimenopause starting tonight. We cover: Why waking up at 3am is a cortisol event, not an anxiety problem, and what to do when it happens The sleep apnea statistic that will stop you cold: up to 90% of women in midlife who have it don't know, because they don't look like the textbook patient What melatonin actually is, why taking it at bedtime is usually the wrong move, and what happens to production by age 50 How alcohol is disrupting your REM sleep, and why one glass hits completely differently now The D.R.E.A.M. Method: the five-part framework Dr. Matsumura built because treating one thing at a time only ever gets women halfway there The ferritin level behind restless legs that most providers aren't checking Why getting out of bed at 3am is the right call, even though it feels like the worst one How every additional 15 minutes of sleep compounds into something significant over time This episode will help you get your sleep back on track because it’s the foundation of everything. When your sleep goes, it starts to unravel the rest of your life. MORE FROM THE TAMSEN SHOW: If you liked this conversation, check this out: How to Finally Get to Sleep in Menopause (https://bit.ly/tts-yt-shelby-andrea) ____________ STAY CONNECTED WITH TAMSEN: Get ⁠Tamsen's newsletter filled with free tools⁠ to living better, feeling stronger, and knowing you’re never alone: https://www.tamsenfadal.com/newsletter Get Tamsen’s NYT instant bestselling book, How To Menopause: https://bit.ly/tts-youtube-book Free Resources from Tamsen: https://www.tamsenfadal.com/menopause... Watch all the episodes on YouTube:    • The Tamsen Show Podcast   Follow Tamsen on Instagram:   / tamsenfadal   The Tamsen Show on Instagram:   / thetamsenshow   Follow Tamsen on TikTok:   / tamsenfadal   🧡 LEAVE A REVIEW If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, we'd love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... SPONSORS: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Sign up for your $1 per month trial today at https://www.shopify.com/tamsen! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code TAMSEN at https://www.oneskin.co/TAMSEN #oneskinpod #ad TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro 5:31 The Hormone Changes That Disrupt Sleep in Perimenopause 8:04 What To Do When You Wake Up at 2 or 3 A.M. 11:26 Waking Up to Pee? It Could Be More Than Aging 13:17 The Hidden Signs of Sleep Apnea Women Miss 17:35 When to See a Sleep Specialist for Sleep Problems 22:52 How Hormone Therapy Can Improve Sleep Quality 24:26 Alcohol and Menopause, Why One Drink Wrecks Your Sleep 28:12 The DREAM Method for Better Sleep in Midlife 34:27 Melatonin, Magnesium, and the Best Sleep Supplements 40:56 The Daily Habits That Lead to Deeper, Better Sleep ___ Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. __ ABOUT TAMSEN: Tamsen is a journalist, NYT best-selling author, podcast host, filmmaker and menopause advocate. As host of The Tamsen Show Podcast, she’s become a powerful voice in the conversation about midlife. She is the creator and producer of The (M) Factor and The (M) Factor 2, groundbreaking documentaries calling for change in how we approach women’s health. Tamsen is also the author of the New York Times Bestseller How To Menopause, the ultimate guide to navigating midlife with confidence. From SXSW to Capitol Hill, Tamsen champions policies that break the stigma around menopause and empower women at work and beyond. After 30 years as a TV anchor, she now leads the charge in midlife health advocacy. https://www.tamsenfadal.com/ #sleepbetter #womenshealth #thetamsenshow