Why You Can't Sleep In Midlife

Why you can’t sleep in midlife isn’t a mystery; it’s biology. On the latest episode of unPAUSED, Louisa Nicola and I unpack why so many women experience new or worsening sleep disruption during midlife, even if they “never had sleep issues before.” I hear it daily from patients: trouble falling asleep, waking throughout the night, or feeling tired but wired when it’s time to rest. These patterns are often linked to changes in temperature regulation, stress signaling, and hormonal shifts, and rarely have a single cause. We walk through the science behind what may be happening and the evidence-based tools clinicians actually use, including hormone support when appropriate, targeted supplements, and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). This isn’t about willpower or sleep hygiene alone. It’s about understanding what’s changing, and how to support your nervous system through it. Listen to the full conversation through the link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unpaused-with-dr-mary-claire-haver/id1846701533?i=1000747834816 Want to learn more about Dr. Haver and her work in the field of menopause? Check out our website: https://thepauselife.com/ Order Dr. Haver’s #1 New York Times bestselling book, The New Menopause today: https://thepauselife.com/pages/the-new-menopause-book Want to try our supplements? Order Here: https://thepauselife.com/collections/supplements Want to sign up for the ‘Pause Life Community? Join now for FREE! https://thepauselife.com/pages/the-pause-life-community Link to Dr. Haver’s Substack: https://drmaryclairehaver.substack.com/ Shop our favorite products here: https://thepauselife.com/pages/favorites Looking for a new physician? Here is a list of recommended physicians: https://thepauselife.com/pages/recommended-physicians Check out your Anti-Inflammation score here: https://thepauselife.com/pages/anti-inflammation-quiz There are many topics of interest covered in The ‘Pause Blog. Click this link to go to our searchable site: https://thepauselife.com/blogs/the-pause-blog To join the waitlist to be seen by a practitioner at Mary Claire Wellness go here: https://maryclairewellness.com/#how-it-works Medical Disclaimer: The information, including opinions and recommendations, on this platform is meant for informational and educational purposes only. Mary Claire Media, LLC, The ’Pause Life, and the unPAUSED podcast are not medical organizations. Medical advice or medical diagnosis cannot be provided to you through the platform, any associated website, or customer portals. Using this platform does not establish a patient-physician relationship. Please consult a physician before starting any plan that includes supplements or aims to achieve weight loss, even if weight loss is not your primary goal. - About Dr. Mary Claire Haver - Dr. Mary Claire Haver, MD, FACOG, MSCP, is a board-certified OB-GYN, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner. She is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The New Menopause, a book written to empower women with evidence-based menopause care. She earned her medical degree from Louisiana State University Medical Center and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), where she is now an Adjunct Associate Professor. In 2021, she founded Mary Claire Wellness, a clinic committed to providing comprehensive menopause care. In 2023, she launched ThePauseLife.com, a trusted resource for women navigating menopause. A sought-after speaker and educator, Dr. Haver is a regular contributor to national media and has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, The Today Show, CBS Mornings and Oprah’s Menopause Revolution. Her social media presence has grown to more than 7 million followers, where she continues to demystify menopause with relatable, science-backed content. Through her writing, clinical practice, and digital presence, Dr. Mary Claire Haver has become the trusted voice in menopause care — empowering women worldwide to embrace this life stage with confidence and vitality. When not traveling the globe empowering women to lead their best lives, Mary Claire resides in Galveston, Texas and Telluride, Colorado with her husband Chris, two daughters, Katherine Claire and Madeline Claire, and their chiweenie, Rex. #menopause #perimenopause #womenshealth #galvestondiet #pauselife #thenewmenopause