Sleep, Hormones, and the Female Body: What Medicine Missed for Decades with Dr. Andrea Matsumura

Today, Lara is joined by one of the leading voices in women’s sleep health: the extraordinary Dr. Andrea Matsumura, Board-Certified Sleep Medicine Specialist, Internal Medicine Physician, and nationally recognized expert on the biology of midlife sleep.As a clinician, educator, and advocate, Dr. Matsumura has dedicated her career to understanding why so many women stop sleeping in midlife, and why the answers are almost never as simple as “stress” or “hormones.” From her work diagnosing complex sleep disorders at The Oregon Clinic to her leadership roles within the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Dr. Matsumura brings clarity, compassion, and science to a topic too often minimized or misunderstood.In this episode, Dr. Matsumura breaks down the real physiology behind women’s changing sleep in midlife including how shifting estrogen impacts your sleep architecture, why hot flashes aren’t the whole story, and the surprising number of women who unknowingly meet criteria for conditions like restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea, and chronic insomnia. She explains the difference between normal aging and true sleep pathology, the role of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, and why women deserve a far more thorough, and specialized, approach to their sleep concerns.If you’ve ever wondered why you’re suddenly wide awake at 2 AM, why your doctor waved away your symptoms, or what a sleep evaluation should look like for women in midlife, you’re in the right place. Dr. Matsumura is here to offer real answers, real validation, and real tools to help you return to deep, restorative sleep.Connect with Dr. Andrea Matsumura on Instagram @sleepgoddessmdJoin The Sweaty Pillow Community hereConnect with The Sweaty Pillow on Instagram @thesweatypillowFind us on TikTok @the.sweaty.pillowConnect with Lara Smith @laralusomeShop Lusomé Sleepwear here*The Sweaty Pillow Podcast provides general information only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Information shared is not a substitute for professional medical guidance.