Hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia—oh my! Menopause can result in all these symptoms, along with fatigue, feeling stressed, diminished libido and bone-thinning. There are about 38 million women in the U.S. going through or approaching menopause, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
New research suggests taking a 12-week yoga class and practicing yoga at home results in less insomnia among menopausal women.
“Many women suffer from insomnia during menopause, and it’s good to know that yoga may help them,” said lead author Katherine Newton, Ph.D., a senior investigator at Group Health Research Institute.
Newton compared the effects of exercise, yoga and an omega-3 supplement in menopausal subjects. Exercise seemed linked to slightly improved sleep and less insomnia and depression, and yoga also was linked to better sleep quality and less depression—but these effects were not statistically significant. The omega-3 supplement was not linked to any improvement in hot flashes, night sweats, sleep, or mood
The findings were published in Menopause.