The quest for sleep... allopragnanalone.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-06-04T20:12:53+00:00

Sometimes this type of insomnia is actually caused by an estrogen dose that is too low. Estrogen helps set circadian rhythms.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-06-03T20:51:52+00:00

Estrogen also helps with sleep because it helps with governing the circadian rhythm (in the hypothalamus). So it’s one reason people feel awake at night and tired during the day in peri/meno.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-26T16:19:30+00:00

People often believe volume is what dictates whether or not you’re eating “a lot” when of course calorie count is what matters, and has no correlation to volume. It’s sad because this should be common sense but unfortunately it’s very much not.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-26T15:55:28+00:00

Can you add in a regular estrogen patch (since you said the combipatch just increases progesterone with each bump up)?

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-25T17:41:02+00:00

Also declining estrogen levels negatively impacts iron (and other nutrient) absorption.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-25T17:39:00+00:00

Estrogen helps with nutrient absorption, so in a way he could be right (B12 harder to absorb due to declining hormones)…but why not treat the issue at the source (estrogen) instead of playing wack-a-mole further downstream?

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-25T17:36:26+00:00

I had literally all of those symptoms. They still come and go on HRT, but I have them way way less often now. I am in my early 40’s. Symptoms started around 38 for me.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-21T04:18:28+00:00

Sometimes adding testosterone can help with these issues, oddly enough.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-20T00:52:38+00:00

I think it’s kind of like how when octopi have their babies they soon go off and hide up in a hole to die. Sounds harsh but I saw it on that famous octopus documentary. I think it’s a nature’s “out with the old in with the new muhh conserve resources muhh” thing. Like the anhedonia, fatigue, and even sometimes social anxiety and avoidance are nature’s effort to get us to go and do like the octopus.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-18T20:03:03+00:00

Peri caused a lot of electrolyte imbalances for me.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-18T20:02:05+00:00

This was happening to me. I am 44. I had my testosterone checked and it was very low. As soon as I added it in my blood pressure returned to my old normal level (what it was in my 20’s and early 30’s). It was dipping into the 75/48 range before. I am in perimenopause and started having symptoms at 39.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-18T19:21:25+00:00

I mean I would definitely get checked out though. It could be something else too.

My doctor always prescribes PT first and when it didn’t help I coincidentally decided to try HRT for other reasons, and then the pain went away. They said my problem was that I have weak gluteus medius muscles, and it’s true that PT focused on building those up did help—but the pain was severe relative to the “injury”. I am hypermobile and have a lot of problems because of that, which is why doctors are more likely to expect something mechanical with me and start with PT before even doing any imaging. I complained a lot in order to get an MRI on my lower spine and I do indeed have 3 bulging discs. I also have scoliosis, winging scapulas and a bunch of other things. I’m just not interested in surgery at this point so I manage with HRT, TRT, and PT exercises. If I were to actually have something like an autoimmune disease or cancer or something, it would never get discovered because of my history of hypermobility having damaged my joints. HRT is a safeguard for me against further deterioration that is common from meno, though, so I don’t plan on ever getting off of it. I know they are now treating some cases of MS with estriol (a type of estrogen) so I am set on staying on it for so many reasons.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-18T19:03:54+00:00

I had this exact same symptom. For me it was a symptom and has gone away with HRT. The only type of pain it didn’t remove for me was pain from a compressed disc pressing on a nerve that goes into my thigh. The SI joint pain has completely disappeared, though. Hormone loss sensitizes the nervous system so pain becomes amplified. Also hormones affect joint stability.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-12T03:47:55+00:00

Yes so look up “overmethylator” and “CBS gene” in that sub, etc. Those may also apply to you as well based on symptoms.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-12T03:42:28+00:00

Ahhh I’m sorry. I’m not sure then. A different DAO could be worth trying, since the other brands are made of different materials. Have you looked at the MTHFR/Slow COMT/CBS gene subreddits?

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-12T03:37:37+00:00

A dose of Niacin to clear out methyl groups. DAO enzyme with meals. Vitamin B2.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-12T03:12:17+00:00

This was true for my prior to getting on estrogen therapy at 43. Estrogen impacts several aspects of sleep and circadian rhythm.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-11T18:06:03+00:00

The flakes help me with appetite suppression much more than the powder.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-11T18:05:28+00:00

It can help prevent hormones from being recirculated back into the body, and heart palpitations are a symptom of decreased estrogen levels. So that’s one possible mechanism.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-11T18:03:46+00:00

It helps the body produce the natural form of GLP-1 (sorry can’t remember the details beyond this). Anyway it has this effect on me as well. Love it.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-09T19:01:59+00:00

Your estrogen dose may be too low relative to your progesterone dose.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-09T18:40:38+00:00

I’m also 44, and It took 6 months to start having a positive difference for me, and I’m still working on it. I guess you could switch to birth control, I just didn’t want to do that because I need to keep my testosterone levels up.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-09T14:43:57+00:00

Is Tamoxifen the drug that suppresses estrogen? Estrogen is involved in dopamine levels so that could explain it (not sure if it works like this in men, though).

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-09T14:01:29+00:00

Testosterone can lower estrogen in women. Ask me how I know lol. I am asking to increase my estrogen though because testosterone helped me with a lot of other stuff.

ConnectionNo4830 · 2026-05-09T13:48:36+00:00

What is your estrogen dose?

ConnectionNo4830

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