Frequent nighttime awakenings between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. during perimenopause are explained by a dual phenomenon: variations in estrogen disrupt cortisol regulation (the alertness hormone), and the decrease in progesterone reduces the body's ability to relax, all of which is amplified by the daily mental load.

noli's read

Sleep disturbances during perimenopause are widely documented, notably by the large-scale observational study SWAN (Study of Women's Health Across the Nation), which confirms a significant increase in nighttime awakenings during this transition. The link between the decline in progesterone—which naturally promotes relaxation and calmness—and difficulty staying asleep rests on well-established scientific foundations. Furthermore, observational work published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism indicates that estrogen variations alter the body's sensitivity to stress, which can disrupt the natural rhythm of cortisol. Nevertheless, specifically targeting the 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. window as being purely caused by a hormonal cortisol spike is a simplification. In reality, it is often variations in body temperature (sometimes imperceptible hot flashes) that wake the body first, subsequently causing a secondary increase in alertness. The impact of daily stress described by the creator remains, however, a major and scientifically validated factor influencing the overall quality of rest.

the sources

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