Dr. Valerie Bonnett MD

09/05/2026

Valerie Bonnett breaks down the maze of hormone advice. Learn why sources conflict and the risks of relying too heavily on specific tests. Get a clear, foundational understanding. .com

09/05/2026

It is, in fact, perimenopause.

09/04/2026

Why am I awake at 3 AM AGAIN?

You fell asleep just fine.

Then suddenly you're wide awake — your brain is as chaotic as a rabbit on caffeine, restorative sleep feels like a distant memory, and you can already feel how tired you're going to be tomorrow.

If this started or got worse in midlife, there are reasons your sleep changed.

Next week, I'm teaching The Midlife Sleep Reset, a physician-led live series to help women understand what happens to sleep in midlife — and what can actually help.

📅 September 9, 16 & 23 12pm CDT
💬 Live Q&A September 30
👩⚕️ Taught live by Dr. Valerie Bonnett, MD
https://drval.podia.com/the-midlife-sleep-reset

08/30/2026

Why am I awake at 3 AM... AGAIN?

If your sleep changed somewhere around perimenopause or menopause, you've probably heard all the usual advice: put away your phone, avoid caffeine, keep the bedroom cool...

That is great advice. But it doesn't answer the bigger question:

What caused your sleep to change in the first place?

Sleep in perimenopause and beyond involves an interesting intersection of hormones, brain neurotransmitters, stress physiology and hormones, temperature regulation, circadian rhythm--and sometimes factors that have nothing to do with hormones at all.

I wrote a new blog post about what might be changing with your sleep and 3 things you can start doing right away to better understand your own sleep pattern-and hopefully to improve your sleep a little.

Take a few minutes to read it. I think you'll look at that 3 AM awakening a little differently afterward. And if you still want more information about sleep, I'll be doing a deep dive in September about what's going on with your sleep and how to improve it.

Dr. Val

Sleep often changes during perimenopause and menopause — but “better sleep hygiene” doesn't explain everything. Learn why midlife sleep deserves a closer look and what your nighttime awakenings may be telling you.

08/27/2026

Is sleep loss in perimenopause mimicking attention deficit symptoms? Poor sleep significantly impacts attention, working memory, and emotional regulation. We might be missing a crucial link in addressing these challenges.

08/19/2026

08/19/2026

Many perimenopause symptoms are wrongly treated with prescriptions like birth control or SSRIs. This can lead to serious health risks, especially for younger women. Understanding the true cause is vital for proper care and avoiding potential harm.

08/18/2026

08/18/2026

Declining progesterone in perimenopause can tank GABA levels. This leads to a brain on high alert: irritability, anxiety, chaotic sleep, and the scary possibility of being placed on meds instead of having hormones addressed. Understand the hormonal link.