Navigating Oral Therapy for Sleep During Pregnancy and Menopause
For women of childbearing age, swinging hormones at the time of pregnancy or menopause may influence sleep patterns. However, oral appliances can safely offer relief when used properly. That’s why we at Snoring and Sleep Solutions of Nevada provide personalized guidelines so devices do not hamper restful nights during these seasons of life.
Pregnancy and menopause create stress in dealing with sleep disorders. But personalized oral treatment along with lifestyle changes will ease your way through the surging times! Read on for insight into balancing devices and self-care.
How Hormones Interfere with Quality Sleep
Now, let’s discuss how natural fluctuations in hormones often compromise rest:
Progesterone relaxes the muscles of the body and collapsible airways heighten apnea and snoring.
Some of the causes are as follows:
- Decreases in estrogen reduce deep REM sleep. Fluctuations create hot flashes and night sweats in menopausal women, waking them throughout the night.
- Growing bellies or menstrual changes cause discomfort and interrupt sleep cycles during pregnancy.
- Anxiety over labor/delivery or symptoms of menopause keeps one’s mind racing at night.
- Worrisome dips in wellness and fatigue from those life transitions undermine sleep health.
It’s quite complex, so quality sleep needs a multi-pronged approach. Oral appliance therapy reduces anatomical concerns, while lifestyle support helps with overall health. Ideally, the combination will give optimal relief.
Oral Appliances – With Care
Oral appliances such as MADs or TRDs open up the airways to enhance better sleep apnea and oxygenation. But during this season, while the process of choosing and managing the devices is on, it requires extra care.
Here are the top concerns that our sleep specialists remind you of:
- Select removable appliances if you feel queasy. A fixed type can irritate your gag reflex.
- Insert appliances adjustable to accommodate comfort owing to the natural change in body contours.
- See us more frequently for follow-up treatments to check fit and adjust the appliances as needed.
- Apply just the minimum force advancement of your jaws such that ligament loosening pain is avoided.
- Stop using your appliances if you experience complications such as TMJ or tooth movement – see us right away.
- Treatment may be resumed only with the approval of a doctor if the patient becomes pregnant or enters menopause after a course of treatment.
The oral appliances remain safe and effective therapies for hormone-related sleep disruption, although self-care must be tailored to optimize the benefits of these devices.
Supportive Lifestyle Choices
Holistic care of body and mind supports oral therapy success:
- Use of pregnancy-specific positions or pillows to take pressure off of the devices.
- Be active with gentle prenatal yoga and walking to promote sleep.
- Keep hydrated and snack frequently to keep heartburn away.
- Develop relaxing bedtime rituals such as warm baths, massage, or meditation.
- Deal with hot flashes with layered bedding, which you can use according to your requirements at night.
- Attend counseling to treat anxious thoughts and depressive moods.
- Talk to your loved ones and community for emotional support.
- Take care of yourself amidst the transitional changes in life matter, too!
Snoring and Sleep Solutions of Nevada is dedicated to providing respectful, caring providers for women’s sleep health. We ease this journey through pregnancy, perimenopause, and beyond with both guidance for therapy and support of well-being.
Sleep Well Through Changing Seasons
We also understand that periods of hormonal fluctuation can make restorative sleep an uphill task. However, here’s the great news: oral appliances together with tailored lifestyle changes bring actual benefits to fighting the effects of pregnancy and menopause on sleep. With this holistic approach, a peaceful night’s rest is within reach in every season.
Find your best therapeutic pathway with expert assistance from our experts. Schedule a consultation with us today for comprehensive care by women’s sleep health specialists. We will be here to help you cope with the transition in life. We are going to stand by your side and see you thriving with the tools for slumber. Waking fresh and embracing every season: sweet dreams!
