‘Pajamas Restored My Sleep And My Marriage! One Woman’s Relief From Menopause Symptoms
Aikisha Holly Colon once mistook menopause chest palpitations for a heart attack
Menopause symptoms can strike at any time, and that includes while you’re trying to sleep at night. The first line of defense against vasomotor symptoms like night sweats or even troubling heart palpitations typically involves lifestyle modifications such as a healthy diet and daily exercise. Medications and treatments like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are also viable for some women.
In any case, sleep hygiene is key for getting a good night’s rest during menopause. This could mean practicing relaxation techniques before bed, keeping your bedroom as cool as possible, avoiding food and drinks that might trigger discomfort and wearing breathable material.
How bamboo cooling pajamas changed Aikisha Holly Colon’s life
“This must be a heart attack,” Aikisha Holly Colon thought as panic struck.
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The 47-year-old entrepreneur and reality TV star of OWN’s hit series, Belle Collective, had been packing for a family vacation. The next thing she knew, she was being rushed to the emergency room with pain radiating through her left arm and her heart racing with palpitations.
Aikisha and her husband, Willie Colon, radio/TV personality and retired NFL champion, recently celebrated the births of two children after years of fertility treatments and seven miscarriages.
She had been feeling “off” for a few years with anxiety, dizziness and trouble sleeping and even distance from her husband from a lack of physical intimacy due to her lethargy—but she blamed the fertility drugs.
But now, tests confirmed her heart was fine, and the palpitations, arm pain and dizziness she experienced were due to the onset of menopause.
“This also explains the night sweats, hot flashes and anxiety that rob me of my sleep,” Aikisha realized.
She believed the only menopause bothers were vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats but realized that menopause symptoms can mimic other health issues.
“I thought I was dying from a heart attack, and it ended up being menopause,” she thought to herself. “Something has to change!”
Inspired, Aikisha set out on a mission to help not only herself, but also the 1.3 million women who enter menopause annually, and suffer from symptoms. She began sharing her menopausal journey publicly on her reality TV show.
“People love the glamour of reality TV and don’t see the other side,” she thought. “Women are suffering in silence, and now it’s jeopardizing my marriage. Time to break the taboo and discuss it openly,” she decided.
Finding a comfy cure
After sharing more openly about her hot flashes and night sweats on social media, Aikisha’s followers tagged her posts from Bamblu (@Bamblu Sleep), a woman-owned, African American small business that crafted bamboo sheets and pajamas. The cooling fabric prevents night sweats and hot flashes with its thermoregulating properties that allows body heat to escape and air to circulate, which helps thwart overheating.
Intrigued, Aikisha contacted the owner, Angela Hawkins, and soon, a pair of pajamas and bamboo sheets were delivered to her doorstep. After a wonderful night with her husband, Aikisha was amazed that pajamas were the answer she searched for. Her hope was restored after feeling the immediate benefit of a solid night’s sleep, which helped ease her anxiety and manage her stress.
“My community needs to know about these pajamas,” she vowed.
To amplify the message that hope exists for women experiencing menopausal symptoms, Aikisha and Angela joined forces, and launched the Aikisha Colon collection of an innovative pajama set and nightgown, specifically designed to support women during menopause made with breathable bamboo fabric that promotes cooling and regulates core body temperature.
“These pajamas keep you dry and comfortable all night,” says Aikisha. “I no longer wake up drenched in sweat. The pajamas help cool me off, and I wake up feeling well-rested (and ready to serve my family and community) instead of cranky.”
Today, Aikisha and her husband are closer than ever, and she’s sleeping better than ever.
“I no longer wake up drenched in sweat. The pajamas help cool me off, and I wake up feeling well-rested and ready to serve my family and community—instead of feeling cranky,” she says. “We need to talk more about menopause. It’s vital for me to let other women know they’re not alone!”
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