Insomnia
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Inability to sleep
Hard to fall asleep or stay asleep
Waking up in the middle of the night
Trouble sleeping
Cannot sleep well
Staying awake throughout the night and sleeping during the day
Feeling tired or sleepy during the day
Sleep inversion
Sleep deprivation
Waking up in the early morning
Unable to sleep
Wake up early morning and can't go back to sleep
About the Symptom
Trouble falling or staying asleep. It can be caused by many different physical or psychiatric conditions.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Photophobia
- Change in personality
- Disorder of consciousness
- Abdominal pain
Possible Causes
Generally, Insomnia can be related to:
- Sleep Disorder
Sleep disorders are conditions that affect the quality, timing, or duration of your sleep, impacting your ability to function when you're awake. There are many types of sleep disorders, including disturbances in sleep quality or quantity, excessive daytime sleepiness, abnormal behaviors during sleep, sleep disorders related to mental disorders, and more. Narcolepsy is one such disorder, often grouped under hypersomnias - a category of conditions characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness - and can be mistaken for or coexist with other sleep disorders like sleep apnea. Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment.
- Fibromyalgia
A condition causing widespread pain and muscle aches throughout the body that may come and go with certain identified triggers. The cause is not well understood.
- Alcohol Dependence / Delirium Tremens
A condition in which the patient depends on alcohol and experiences withdrawal symptoms if they don't have a drink. These symptoms can range from mild (e.g., irritation, sleeplessness) to severe (confusion, coma, seizures).
- Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Night Terrors
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Psychogenic Vomiting
- Adjustment Disorder
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Insomnia may be related to these serious diseases:
- Exploding Head Syndrome (EHS)
Exploding head syndrome (EHS) is a sleep disorder where someone hears a loud noise or explosive crashing sound in their head. The sound isn't real or heard by anyone else.
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Are you having trouble sleeping?
- When did you first notice trouble sleeping?
- How often do you experience trouble sleeping?
- How is your trouble sleeping now?
- How severe is your trouble sleeping?
Reviewed By:
Charles Carlson, DO, MS (Psychiatry)
Dr. Carlson graduated from Touro University in Nevada with a degree in osteopathic medicine. He then trained as a resident in Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals where he was also a chief resident and completed a fellowship in Public and Community Psychiatry. After training, he started practicing in | Addiction Psychiatry at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs where he also teaches Psychiatry residents.
Yu Shirai, MD (Psychiatry)
Dr. Shirai works at the Yotsuya Yui Clinic for mental health treatment for English and Portuguese-speaking patients. He treats a wide range of patients from neurodevelopmental disorders to dementia in children and participates in knowledge sharing through the Diversity Clinic.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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With a free 3-min Insomnia quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Wake up early in the morning
- Waking up in the very early morning and can't go back to sleep
- Restlessness when sleeping
- Staying awake all night and sleeping during day
- Sudden waking in the middle of night
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Wake up in the middle of the night
- Reversal of sleeping tendencies
- Early morning awakening
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Sleep-wake inversion
- Waking up too early
- Can't sleep well at night
- Day-night reversal
See full list
Find Similar Symptoms
Similar symptoms or complaints
Symptoms from similar body parts
Symptoms treated by the same specialty
FAQs
Q.
Insomnia in Women 30-45: Why It Happens & Your Action Plan
A.
Insomnia in women 30 to 45 is common and treatable, most often driven by a mix of hormonal shifts including early perimenopause, high stress and mental load, lifestyle patterns, and medical issues such as thyroid problems, iron deficiency, GERD, chronic pain, or sleep apnea. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. Your action plan includes steady sleep routines, morning light, limiting late caffeine and alcohol, calming a racing mind, managing daytime stress, reviewing hormones, ruling out medical causes, and considering CBT-I, with clear signs for when to see a doctor and a symptom check link outlined below.
References:
* Kalra RC, Benca DL. Sleep in midlife women: effects of hormonal changes. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2018 Nov;31(6):525-532. doi: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000445. PMID: 30204646.
* Lichtenstein P, Morin CL. Prevalence and risk factors for insomnia in women. Sleep Med. 2019 Jun;58:45-53. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2019.03.003. PMID: 30979872.
* Drake CR, Manber KL, Krystal LA. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in women: a focused review. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020 Feb 15;16(2):291-301. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.8130. PMID: 31999208.
* Hormes JM, Lytle LA, Ruetsch C, Roth S, Neumark-Sztainer D. Insomnia in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: risk factors and treatment strategies. Psychosom Med. 2014 Mar;76(3):179-88. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000049. PMID: 24569850.
* Mong JA, Cusmano DM. Sex differences in sleep: impact of biological sex and sex hormones. Physiol Rev. 2022 Jul 1;102(3):1449-1503. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00010.2021. PMID: 35137688.
Q.
Pilates for Women 30-45: Relieve Chronic Symptoms & Your Next Steps
A.
Pilates is a research-backed, low impact option that can reduce chronic back and neck pain, improve pelvic floor function and core strength after pregnancy, ease joint stiffness, lower stress, and support better sleep for women ages 30 to 45 when practiced consistently. There are several factors to consider. See below for red flags that need a doctor’s care, how to start safely with foundational moves, realistic timelines for results, and how to pair Pilates with strength, cardio, and sleep tools so you can choose the right next steps.
References:
* Ryckman, B., et al. (2020). The effect of Pilates on chronic non-specific low back pain in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. *Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies*, 24(1), 108-118.
* Bertozzi, L., et al. (2018). Pilates for pelvic pain in women: A systematic review. *Journal of Pain Research*, 11, 2877–2886.
* Cruz-Montecinos, C., et al. (2021). Effectiveness of Pilates for managing musculoskeletal pain in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. *Musculoskeletal Science and Practice*, 55, 102432.
* Villarrubia, M., et al. (2023). Effectiveness of Pilates on pain, physical function, and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. *Disability and Rehabilitation*, 45(15), 2419-2429.
* Fourie, A., & Gildenhuys, G. (2023). The effects of Pilates on physical function and quality of life in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. *Physical Therapy in Sport*, 61, 95-107.
Q.
Propranolol for Women 30-45: Symptom Guide & Vital Next Steps
A.
Propranolol can help women 30 to 45 manage high blood pressure, prevent migraines, and reduce physical anxiety symptoms, and it is also used for certain heart rhythm problems and hyperthyroid symptoms. There are several factors to consider. Key next steps, side effects to watch, who should be cautious, pregnancy and breastfeeding advice, drug interactions, how to monitor your heart rate and blood pressure, and when to seek urgent care are covered in full below.
References:
* Kujawa, A., et al. Propranolol use in women of childbearing potential: A narrative review of risks and benefits. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2023.
* Steenen, S. A., et al. Propranolol in the treatment of anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Psychopharmacol. 2020.
* Loder, E., et al. Pharmacological treatment of migraine in women. Headache. 2018.
* Messerli, F. H., et al. Antihypertensive treatment in women: a review. J Hypertens. 2018.
* Farzam, K., et al. Beta-Blockers. StatPearls. 2024.
Q.
7 Natural Insomnia Tips for Women 65+: Sleep Better Tonight
A.
Seven natural, doctor-approved insomnia tips for women 65+ can help you sleep better tonight: keep a consistent schedule, get morning light, keep naps short and early, create a calming wind-down, be smart with caffeine, alcohol, and meals, make the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet, and review health conditions and medications that may disrupt sleep. There are several factors to consider, including when symptoms signal something serious and why some sleep aids carry risks; see below to understand more and to find the complete guidance that can shape your next steps, from using a symptom check to knowing when to speak to a doctor.
References:
* Koffel E, Khaylis A, Blount J, et al. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2020 Jan;88(1):64-73. doi: 10.1037/ccp0000455. PMID: 31774351.
* Kovacevic A, Mavros Y, Heisz JN, et al. The effect of exercise on sleep quality in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med Rev. 2019 Feb;43:120-137. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2018.10.007. Epub 2018 Nov 1. PMID: 30449615.
* Gong S, Li W, Yu K, et al. Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Insomnia in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2022 Jul;37(7):10.1002/gps.5739. doi: 10.1002/gps.5739. Epub 2022 Jun 1. PMID: 35640321.
* Chen YY, Peng CH, Huang YJ, et al. Efficacy and safety of melatonin for the treatment of insomnia in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med Rev. 2023 Dec;72:101861. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2023.101861. Epub 2023 Oct 9. PMID: 37852157.
* Härter M, Klesse C, Bermejo I, et al. Nonpharmacological interventions for insomnia in older adults: a systematic review. Z Gerontol Geriatr. 2013 Dec;46(8):666-74. doi: 10.1007/s00391-013-0546-5. PMID: 24202396.
Q.
Insomnia in Women 65+: 5 Tips to Reclaim Your Sleep Naturally
A.
There are several factors to consider, and insomnia in women 65+ is common but often reversible with natural, evidence-based steps. See below to understand more. Core tips include a consistent sleep schedule, morning light and regular daytime movement, reviewing medications, supplements and alcohol with your clinician, calming the mind with techniques like CBT-I, and looking for underlying issues such as sleep apnea or pain, plus when to seek medical care and why sleep pills carry extra risks, with complete details and next-step guidance below.
References:
* Lane, J., et al. (2023). Non-pharmacological management of insomnia in older adults: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. *Sleep*, 46(12), zsad199. DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsad199.
* Chen, X., et al. (2020). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. *The Gerontologist*, 60(3), e181-e192. DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnz167.
* Youngstedt, S. D., et al. (2023). Physical Activity for the Treatment of Chronic Insomnia: A Narrative Review. *Current Sports Medicine Reports*, 22(8), 284-290. DOI: 10.1249/JSR.0000000000001077.
* Rusch, H. L., et al. (2019). Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. *Mindfulness*, 10(9), 1673-1692. DOI: 10.1007/s12671-019-01112-2.
* Van der Lely, S., et al. (2022). Light therapy for sleep problems in adults aged ≥55 years with and without dementia: A systematic review. *Sleep Medicine Reviews*, 62, 101594. DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2022.101594.
Q.
What Causes Insomnia? 7 Reasons Women Over 65 Can't Sleep
A.
Insomnia in women over 65 is usually caused by a mix of age-related sleep changes, postmenopausal hormonal shifts, chronic medical conditions and pain, medication side effects, anxiety or depression, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or restless legs, and lifestyle or environmental factors. There are several factors to consider. See below for important details on warning signs, personalized next steps, and when to speak with a doctor, since these specifics can affect the best plan for your health.
References:
* Patel, M., Kripke, D. F., & Dautovich, N. D. (2021). Sleep disorders in older women: a review. *AIMS Public Health*, *8*(3), 543–558.
* Toffol, E., & Kalleinen, N. (2019). Sleep in the Menopause. *Best Practice & Research. Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology*, *56*, 73–82.
* Lee, J. Y., Han, S. H., Park, Y. G., Kim, J., Kang, K., & Kim, C. (2021). Prevalence of insomnia and its association with comorbidities in older women: a cross-sectional study. *Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine*, *17*(8), 1629–1637.
* Wang, P., Ma, X., & Liu, J. (2020). Medication use and sleep disturbances in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. *Sleep Medicine Reviews*, *53*, 101331.
* Toffol, E. (2020). Mental health and sleep in older women. *Maturitas*, *133*, 1–4.
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