As we age, our bodies experience many changes, including hormonal changes in both men and women. In men, testosterone levels can be affected, and in women, estrogen levels - especially during menopause.While menopause can come with many uncomfortable side effects such as hot flashes, it can also affect other areas of your health, including your sleep. In fact, menopause and hormonal shifts in women have been shown to cause a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea.Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is becoming increasingly common among people of all ages. Sleep apnea is marked by an obstruction to the airway which causes the person to stop and restart breathing throughout the night. This causes the person to wake repeatedly. Sometimes, persons with sleep apnea don’t even realize this is happening, while others wake and struggle to return to sleep. In women experiencing hormonal changes, often fall into the latter category and pay the price through fatigue and feelings of depression during the day. This, in addition to the uncomfortable side effects you may already be feeling can make you feel a lot worse.The good news is that while some of these changes are inevitable, there are ways to get some much-needed relief from symptoms of hormonal changes. For women struggling with low estrogen levels, speak to your physician about your options, which may include eating a diet high in foods like soy.For sleep apnea, there are options as well. Many people with sleep apnea turn to CPAP therapy, however, CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy is not always effective, like those prescribed it often do not use their CPAP machines as prescribed. This is because CPAP machines can be awkward and uncomfortable to wear, so the patient simply doesn’t use it. Coupled with complicated machinery that must be operated properly and cleaned properly, it’s often more of a hassle than anything else.Dr. Peterson offers sleep orthotics that work in place of CPAP and fit comfortably into the mouth. These custom devices position the jaw so the airway is propped open without forcing air into the airway. This makes for a more comfortable night’s sleep and is more likely to be worn.If you are struggling to sleep, have sleep apnea, or think you could have sleep apnea, speak to Dr. Peterson about your options today.