My symptoms started when I went into menopause 7 years ago... when I lost my hormones, I also lost my ability to sleep. It was very serious, I was becoming diabetic despite eating well, not consuming sugar, limiting carbohydrates, and exercising. My cholesterol shot up to over 300. I was gaining weight for the first time in my life. I was only sleeping about 3 hours a night even though I was in the bed for 9 hours. I started taking bio-identical hormones last May and I am now sleeping about 7 hours of good quality sleep a night and all my body functions are steadily improving. I can also say that if it weren't for the bio-identical hormones I don't think I would have lived much longer, and surely not in good health.