Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for chronic insomnia in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Sleep MedMay 30, 2026 (epub)
Marie Bruyneel, Serge Rozenberg, Christina Sanida et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for chronic insomnia in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Among 24 studies, non-pharmacological treatments showed significant improvements in sleep quality as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), while pharmacological treatments were effective only on PSQI. The mean PEDro score was 8.66/10.
Key findings
- Non-pharmacological treatments significantly improved PSQI and ISI scores.
- Pharmacological treatments were effective only on PSQI scores.
- Neither objective nor subjective total sleep time was modified by treatments.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia was highlighted as a robust first-line option.
Why it matters
Chronic insomnia during menopause can severely impact quality of life and health. Understanding effective treatment options is crucial for improving patient outcomes in this population.