Nicola Edwards, a size 16 woman from Grimsby, found herself puzzled when a delivery of wet-look leggings in size 8 and a guinea pig care book arrived at her doorstep. Despite owning Doberman Reggie and cockapoo Florence, she couldn’t fathom the unexpected purchases.
Among the odd items delivered were 10 bow ties for dogs, a vintage black cat ornament, non-stick baking papers, miniature railway figures, dollhouse iPhones, ballet shoes, and a bubble dinosaur car ornament – all purchased from Temu for £43. Nicola, a 56-year-old mum-of-two and business owner, expressed confusion over her sudden spree of random items.
Nicola’s sleep-shopping habit began during the peri-menopause phase, leading to her making unconscious purchases, including a diamond-tipped drill bit and a peculiar blonde dog wig. Despite canceling her credit card and trying to ignore the issue, more parcels continued to arrive, filled with clothes and shoes not in her size, all bought during the early hours of the morning.
After her husband, David, discovered her nighttime shopping sessions, Nicola realized her unconscious behavior was linked to the menopause. She reflected on her varied purchases, including a signed TV script, a pastel drawing, and peculiar items like men’s Roman sandals and fake hair extensions.
Despite her efforts to control her nocturnal spending, Nicola continued to receive unexpected deliveries, such as snow boots, coat hangers, and a ruff collar. She attributed her sleep-shopping tendencies to the menopausal changes she was experiencing and expressed hope that the habit would cease once the menopause ended.
Consultant Dr. Allie Hare highlighted that Nicola’s experience is not uncommon during menopause, emphasizing the impact of sleep disruptions and abnormal behaviors during fragmented sleep. Nicola’s humorous take on her sleep-shopping spree, which she estimates has cost her over £1,000, reflects her resilience in managing the situation while awaiting the end of the menopausal phase.
