Survey study, 2024
Does poor sleep and period problems affect teen mental health?
Yes. Teenagers with irregular periods, PMS, or menstrual pain had more anxiety and sadness, especially those sleeping less or going to bed later.
What they did
Analyzed data from 2,814 teenage girls (mean age 13, range 12-15) from the ABCD Study, measuring their sleep patterns and period characteristics with questionnaires, then looking at anxiety and sadness levels.
What they found
Girls with cycle irregularity, premenstrual symptoms, longer periods, heavier flow, and menstrual pain all had significantly higher anxiety and sadness (p < 0.01). Sleep made this worse. Those with short sleep plus menstrual pain or heavy flow had particularly high anxiety and sadness.
What it means for you
Sleep and period problems together affect teen mental health. Managing both sleep and period symptoms might help reduce teen anxiety and depression. The study measured at one point in time, so causation is not clear.
2,814
adolescent girls
13.03
mean age in years
About the study
- Original title
- A - 50 Menstruation Problems and Sleep Interactions: Implications for the Mental Health of Adolescent Females
- Authors
- Richa D Patel, Naomi Edwards, Natalie Totah et al.
- Journal
- Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology
- Year
- 2024
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 2,814
- What was tested
- menstrual patterns and sleep duration
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acae067.064
Topics
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