With the passing age, sleep disorders become the common problem in the elderly people. And when it comes to women who are on the verge of turning menopausal or already attained that, physical changes like insomnia, depression are quite evident. Many women suffer from insomnia during menopause, besides experiencing symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain and acne.

In a bid to avoid such problems, experts suggest yoga.

A new study says, yoga may help women going through menopause sleep better. The researchers found that by taking a 12-week yoga class and practicing at home, insomnia can be prevented.

Elaborating upon the study, lead author and a senior investigator at Group Health Research Institute in the US, Katherine Newton, said, “Hormone therapy is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for hot flashes and night sweats and fewer women are opting for hormone therapy these days.”

Along with yoga, the study also tried to find whether other natural approaches like exercise and fish oil help ease menopause symptoms.

The researchers carried study on 249 healthy, previously sedentary women at multiple sites, including Group Health. They were engaged to do yoga, a moderate aerobic exercise programme, or neither – and to take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement or a placebo.

Exercise seemed linked to slightly improved sleep and less insomnia and depression, and yoga also was linked to better sleep quality and less depression – but these effects were not statistically significant.

The omega-3 supplement was not linked to any improvement in hot flashes, night sweats, sleep, or mood.

The study was published in journal Menopause.