Why 3.29am is a wake-up call for millions of UK women

Research has found that millions of women throughout the UK are waking up at the same hour each night. Data from Dunelm has discovered that large numbers of menopausal women wake around 3.29am on average.

A spokesperson said: "New research from Dunelm reveals 3.29am to be the most common time that menopausal women are waking up in the night." The trigger is predominantly linked to menopause, with an estimated 13 million women in the UK experiencing perimenopause or menopause, reports Gloucestershire Live.

The NHS website says usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier.

One of the most widespread symptoms of this life and health transition is sleeplessness. The study discovered that three-quarters of women find themselves awake during the early morning hours - considerably before the UK's typical wake-up time of 7am.

Over half (53%) of women report they simply toss and turn until they manage to fall back asleep. Up to 30% say they read a book, while the same number scroll on social media. Meanwhile, 20% watch TV, and 17% just stare at the clock.

The study revealed that more than two-thirds (69%) of women indicated that menopausal insomnia has adversely affected their mental health.

Additionally, about 60% were not aware of the strategies that could help them cope with menopausal insomnia, while about half of the individuals reported feeling they didn't have a support system during this tough time. Surprisingly, just 25% have reached out to their doctor for assistance.

What is menopause?

Menopause marks the end of menstrual cycles due to a decrease in hormone levels, typically affecting women between the ages of 45 and 55, although it can start earlier for some.

It's officially recognised as menopause when you've had no period for 12 consecutive months because your ovaries have stopped producing hormones. After this point, you are considered postmenopausal.

Some women go through menopause naturally or it can be induced by various factors such as surgical procedures like oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) or hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), cancer treatments including chemotherapy, or even genetic factors.

In some cases, the cause remains unknown.

Symptoms such as anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, hot flashes, and irregular periods may be experienced during menopause. These symptoms can begin several years before periods stop and may continue afterwards.

When does it happen?

The NHS states that the menopausal transition usually starts between the ages of 45 and 55. This phase generally lasts around seven years, but it can sometimes extend up to 14 years.

Early menopause refers to menopause that occurs before the age of 45. If menopause happens before the age of 40, it is known as premature menopause.

Approximately 5% of the population experiences spontaneous (natural) early menopause. Meanwhile, premature menopause is estimated to affect 1% of women under 40 and 0.1% of women under 30.

Premature menopause is distinct from typical menopause, which generally takes place between the ages of 45 and 55.

With premature menopause, the ovaries cease to work properly, resulting in egg production stopping far sooner than anticipated.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

As people go through the menopause, a variety of symptoms may be experienced.

These span from the well-known to the more surprising and can significantly impact everyday life, including sleep, which may worsen owing to hormonal changes or the effect of other menopausal symptoms.

Symptoms can be:

• hot flushes, when you have sudden feelings of hot or cold in your face, neck and chest which can make you dizzy
• difficulty sleeping, which may be a result of night sweats and make you feel tired and irritable during the day
• palpitations, when your heartbeats suddenly become more noticeable
• headaches and migraines that are worse than usual
• muscle aches and joint pains
• changed body shape and weight gain
• skin changes including dry and itchy skin
• reduced sex drive
• vaginal dryness and pain, itching or discomfort during sex
• recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• sensitive teeth, painful gums or other mouth problems

Many individuals also struggle with sleep issues. This occurs because of alterations in hormones or the consequences of other symptoms that might keep them awake or disrupt their rest.

Menopause specialist Dr Clare Spencer said: "We always recommend you speak to your healthcare practitioner or a menopause doctor if you're experiencing menopausal symptoms or want to talk about your long-term health. They can discuss different options with you, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and advise on any lifestyle changes that could help.

"They should also be able to sign post you to information about the menopause and ways of managing symptoms."