Insomnia

[Lou89]

Dr. Wisot,

I am a patient at the Beverly Hills office. I had a failed ivf cycle in March and was going to start again in May but developed a functioning cyst. I have struggled with insomnia for the past year or so and wasn't sure what was causing it but I am now convinced that it is my hormone levels. I have been sleeping more than I have slept in a year and I know that my cyst was producing estrogen. I am convinced the cyst has gone away bc for the past three nights I only slept three hours each night. I am scheduled to come into the office next week to see if the cyst has gone away. What can I do about the insomnia? Is there anything I can do given I am hoping to begin a second ivf cycle this month? The lack of sleep is incredibly difficult.

Thanks,
Kim

[Dr. Wisot]

Hi:

With a long=term sleep problem the best approach is to see a specialist in sleep issues rather then getting on the route of taking sleeping pills which are difficult to stop and are not usually allowed in pregnancy.

Arthur L. Wisot, M. D.
Reproductive Partners Medical Group
Redondo Beach, California

[Lou89]

Thanks for getting back to me. I have seen a sleep specialist, but I am thinking its not stress or anxiety which they suggested may be the problem but rather my estrogen levels. Could that be the problem? I have been sleeping soundly since my levels have been elevated with this cyst.

[Lou89]

Would I talk to a sleep specialist again about this issue or my general gynecologist? Thanks so much for your help!

[Dr. Wisot]

If elevated estrogen levels help you sleep there is really no long-term way to safely increase your levels except the temporary stimulation for IVF or medication used for a frozen transfer or pregnancy.

Talk to Drs. Rosen and Huang about this and see what they think.

Arthur L. Wisot, M. D.
Reproductive Partners Medical Group
Redondo Beach, California