I am 50 years old and for many months now – close to a year. I wake up in the middle of the night every night and cannot fall back asleep – I am wide awake. I used to take Benadryl when I would wake up but that does not work and I have had to turn to anxiety pills to fall back asleep. The ambien does not even work. I have tried all natural sleeping techniques, hygiene, ideas, every single thing you can think of. Melatonin, chamomile, magnesium, valerian, no electronics at night, exercise in the morning, exercise 3 hours before my bedtime, etc. I read and it helps me fall asleep but I only stay asleep for perhaps 3-4 hours then need to take an anti-anxiety for the remainder of the night and it only lasts about 3 hours. I really need some help because I do not want to continue on the anti anxiety pills. I would like to be able to sleep an entire night – perhaps 6 hours straight. If feel that it is effecting my health and life. If I do not take the anti anxiety pills – I only then sleep for a few hours. Do you think it is my hormones and if so would birth control help? Will I need to be on the anti-anxiety for the rest of my life?