Sounds mad, doesn’t it? But welcome to the wonderful world of restless legs.
You go to bed absolutely shattered, hoping for a decent night’s sleep, only for your legs to decide that they have other plans.
Then you wake up feeling exhausted, with no energy and legs that feel as though they’ve been out doing a half-marathon without you.
So, what exactly are restless legs?
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis–Ekbom disease, is a neurological condition that causes an overwhelming urge to move your legs, usually when you’re resting and particularly in the evening or at night.
And it isn’t simply being a bit fidgety.
Your legs can throb, ache, tingle, twitch or feel as though something is crawling or pulling inside them. Moving them often gives temporary relief — which is why lying peacefully in bed can become something of a distant dream.
At its worst, it can genuinely make you feel as though you’re going mad.
So, is it a menopause symptom?
Well… possibly, but it isn’t quite that straightforward.
RLS affects both men and women, although research consistently finds that women are more likely to experience it than men. There is also evidence that RLS can become troublesome around the menopausal years, particularly in women who are already struggling with poor sleep and symptoms such as night sweats.
What we don’t yet know is whether falling oestrogen or progesterone directly causes restless legs.
Hormones may play a part, but the relationship appears to be complicated and researchers are still trying to understand it.
What we do know is that iron and dopamine are involved in RLS.
Dopamine is one of the brain chemicals involved in controlling movement, while iron is important for normal dopamine function. Low iron levels — sometimes even before someone develops full-blown iron-deficiency anaemia — can therefore be relevant when investigating restless legs.
And let’s face it, by the time you add restless legs to night sweats, insomnia and the 3am existential crisis, a good night’s sleep is beginning to look positively luxurious.
RLS can also be associated with other conditions, including iron-deficiency anaemia and kidney disease, and certain medicines can make it worse.
What can help?
Some simple things may ease symptoms:
- a warm bath before bed
- a heat pad on your legs
- walking or gently moving your legs
- stretching or massaging them
- regular daytime exercise
- cutting down caffeine later in the day
- keeping a regular sleep routine
If restless legs are regularly disturbing your sleep, it is worth speaking to your GP rather than simply putting up with them.
They may want to check for possible underlying causes, particularly iron deficiency, and review any medication that could be contributing.
And please don’t start taking iron supplements just because your legs have developed a nocturnal exercise programme — too much iron isn’t harmless, so it’s better to have your levels checked first.
As for me?
I’m still wondering whether all this nighttime leg activity counts towards my daily step total.
Surely it should.
Have restless legs appeared or become worse during your perimenopause or menopause? We’d love to hear your experiences — because this is another one of those symptoms that doesn’t seem to get talked about nearly enough.
Find out more
NHS – Restless legs syndrome
Clear overview of symptoms, possible causes, self-help and treatment, including the link with iron deficiency and some medications. nhs.uk
NHS: Restless legs syndrome
RLS-UK – What is Restless Legs Syndrome?
A UK charity dedicated specifically to RLS, with much more detailed information about what it feels like, sleep disruption and possible causes. RLS-UK
RLS-UK: What is RLS?
