A study published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology unveils that a daily dose of oestrogen is helpful in treating sleep-disrupting hot flushes experienced by postmenopausal women, reports Reuters.

The London-based news agency learns that a research spearheaded by Dr Kathleen Reape, vice president for medical affairs and women's health at Watson Pharmaceuticals, found that postmenopausal women, who experiences unwanted awakenings during night due to hot flashes, can reduce the frequency of awakenings by taking oestrogen.

Research funded by Duramed Research, which is now known as Teva Women's Health R&D, also found that oestrogen has no effect on the quality of sleep, only number of awakenings are reduced, notes the wire service. For the purpose of the study, a team of researchers categorised 145 women into 3 random groups, each of which was given doses of 0.3mg, 0.625mg, and sugar pills, for 12 weeks.

On comparing the frequency of awakenings in participants, study authors found that women on higher dose of oestrogen had fewer nocturnal awakenings compared to women on fake pills, notes Reuters. Towards the end of the study, researchers observed complete elimination of awakenings, resulting from hot flushes, in participants who took oestrogen, reports the news service.

Dr Kathleen Reape told Reuters that no difference was reported in measures of sleep quality or daytime sleepiness in women. Citing the findings of the study, Reape told the newswire that effect of oestrogen on women's mood was not measured in the research, adding that more studies are required to support the use of oestrogen therapy in treating awakenings in women.

Reuters learns that market is flooding with oestrogen products that are prescribed for treatment of female sexual dysfunction. Warning women about the side-effects of oestrogen therapy, Reape tells that oestrogen has been found associated with several problems, such as weight gain, breast pain and gastronomical disorders.