Sleep and Perimenopause

In this episode of Talking Sleep, host Dr. Seema Khosla welcomes Dr. Andrea Matsumura, a sleep physician with specialized certification in menopause medicine and national advisor for Monarch MD, to discuss how sleep clinicians can better support patients struggling with perimenopausal sleep disturbances.

Since the FDA removed the black box warning on hormone replacement therapy, more patients are inquiring about medications to treat perimenopausal sleep symptoms. Dr. Matsumura, who left traditional practice to pursue menopause certification and now works at the intersection of sleep medicine, mental health, and women's midlife health, provides practical guidance on this increasingly important clinical area.

The conversation begins with Dr. Matsumura's career evolution. After training as an internist with a leadership role at Kaiser Permanente and practicing sleep medicine in a group setting, she pursued specialized menopause certification—a credentialing process explained in detail. Dr. Matsumura discusses what menopause certification encompasses, who can pursue it, and her own path into this specialty. She also discusses her work developing specialized supplements for perimenopausal sleep support.

The episode systematically addresses how perimenopause disrupts sleep. Rather than focusing solely on hot flashes, Dr. Matsumura explains the full spectrum of sleep-related changes. She clarifies the timeline of perimenopause—when it starts and ends—and discusses less commonly recognized phenomena like menstrual hypersomnia that clinicians may not immediately associate with menopause.

A critical discussion addresses patient expectations around hormone replacement therapy. Many patients expect sleep clinicians to prescribe HRT, which raises legitimate concerns for providers unfamiliar with menopause management. Dr. Matsumura provides practical guidance on these conversations and clarifies the role of hormone level testing—addressing the debate between treating symptoms versus checking levels before initiating therapy.

The conversation explores the complex relationship between sleep apnea and menopause. Dr. Matsumura explains why and how obstructive sleep apnea may worsen during perimenopause, how to have these conversations with patients, and when referral to OBGYN colleagues is appropriate for collaborative care.

Additional topics include the role of hypnotics in perimenopausal sleep disorders, absolute contraindications to hormone replacement therapy, how to initiate HRT when appropriate, and whether restless leg syndrome worsens with perimenopause.

Dr. Matsumura addresses common misconceptions about menopause and sleep, helping clinicians understand what practitioners and patients frequently get wrong about this life stage. The episode emphasizes that sleep medicine clinicians don't need to become menopause specialists, but understanding these connections enables better patient care and appropriate referrals.

Join us for this important conversation about supporting women's sleep health through midlife transitions.