Insomnia

If you’re lying awake at 3am, exhausted but completely alert, and the things that used to help just don’t anymore, there’s a chance hormones have changed the rules on you. Insomnia in your 40s and 50s often isn’t simply a sleep problem. It can be a hormonal one that shows up as broken sleep. That may be why the old advice (less coffee, no screens, hot bath) often makes no difference. The fix isn’t always more sleep hygiene. It can be working out what’s actually keeping you awake, and treating that.

*Please note the prescribing of medication is at the discretion of your Practitioner.

When the strategies you used to trust stop working

At My Clinic, a sleep consultation starts with a proper look at what’s actually happening: when you wake, how often, what it feels like, what you’ve already tried, and what else is going on in your life and your body.

Hormonal sleep disruption can take one of three shapes: trouble falling asleep with a racing mind, fragmented sleep through the night, or waking at 3am or 4am wide awake. Many women experience more than one. Each can have different drivers, and each may respond to different approaches.

From there, we look at what’s worth investigating and what’s worth trying. That might mean treating night sweats, addressing the hormonal context, looking at thyroid or other underlying factors, or a combination.

What we won’t do is hand you a sleep hygiene leaflet and send you on your way.

Seek support if insomnia has been affecting your life for more than a few weeks; if you are consistently getting fewer than six hours or waking multiple times through the night; if sleep disruption is compounding other symptoms of the menopause transition such as brain fog, anxiety, or low mood; if night sweats are a significant cause of waking; if early morning waking at consistent times is a prominent feature; or if standard sleep hygiene approaches have produced little improvement. Other causes including thyroid dysfunction and sleep apnoea are also worth considering — a health professional can help work through what is most relevant.

 

Treatment options vary between individuals and are determined by your Nurse Practitioner based on your symptoms, health history, and personal circumstances. Prescribing of medication is always at the discretion of your Practitioner.

What's right for you?

Poor sleep during perimenopause is not something you simply have to push through. Understanding what is driving your insomnia — whether it is progesterone decline, night sweats, early cortisol surges, or a combination — makes a real difference to finding an approach that actually helps.

Our Nurse Practitioners are experienced in the hormonal side of sleep disruption and can talk through your symptoms, rule out other contributing causes, and work with you on a plan tailored to where you are in your transition.

If you are unsure whether what you are experiencing fits, that is completely fine. Book a consultation and let one of our clinicians help you make sense of it.

Not sure if you symptons match the condition. Not a problem, one of our clinicians can discuss them with you and help narrow down possible causes and effective treatments. Just book a general health appointment. 

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“This experience has changed my life. I’m so thankful for my nurse practitioner — her support and knowledge are wonderful, and calls are punctual.”

Daniela, 46

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“My overall experience has been excellent. My consultant is informative and engaging. She provides important information and advice, while addressing any questions I have in a professional manner.”

Jane, 64

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“Amazing service, advice and support. Always feel heard and have all my questions answered.”

Fern, 29

Frequently asked questions
Any questions?
We've got answers.
With the changes made by the Federal Government that took effect from November 1, 2025 you are no longer able to claim a Medicare rebate on your appointment unless you fall under certain criteria. We encourage you to discuss this with your Doctor or Nurse Practitioner to understand if you are eligible.
Our services are in high demand, so in fairness to other patients who require help, we require a minimum of 1 business day’s notice to cancel or reschedule your appointment, If you fail to cancel or reschedule your appointment within this time frame, OR fail to attend your appointment, a late notice fee will be deducted from your account. Our cancellation fee depends on the length the appointment time booked according to our billing schedule. This will equate to the fee for your allotted time slot. Thank you for your understanding.
Nurse practitioners have the skills, knowledge, expertise and legal authority to provide preventative care as well as diagnose and treat people of all ages with acute and chronic health conditions. (health.gov.au)
We generally have appointments available within 15 minutes* *Subject to availability. Our Nurse Practitioners are available 8am-9pm AEST week days, 8am-6pm weekends. Average response time via a follow-up consult is within 2 hours after request is submitted. Submissions after hours will be reviewed the following day.
All our consultations are conducted via telehealth phone calls. At the time of your appointment, our practitioner will contact you using a number from a non-caller ID. Please ensure that you don’t block private numbers so you can receive the call, prior to the appointment.