Cohort study, 2013
How do menstrual cycle phase and hormonal birth control affect sleep?
Women on hormonal birth control had better sleep quality and fewer breathing interruptions during sleep compared to women not on birth control. The effect of birth control was stronger than menstrual cycle phase.
What they did
A study of 297 women in São Paulo, Brazil. Researchers gave them questionnaires, measured hormones in blood, and recorded their sleep overnight with equipment.
What they found
Women on hormonal contraceptives had lower breathing interruptions (1.1) compared to follicular phase (2.2) and luteal phase (2.9). Women on hormonal contraceptives also tended to sleep more efficiently. Women in the follicular phase reported more fatigue than those in the luteal phase or on birth control.
What it means for you
Birth control appears to help women sleep better by reducing breathing interruptions. However, this was one study in one country with 297 women, so results might not apply to all women or all settings.
1.1
Breathing interruptions on birth control
2.2
Breathing interruptions in follicular phase
2.9
Breathing interruptions in luteal phase
About the study
- Original title
- A population-based survey on the influence of the menstrual cycle and the use of hormonal contraceptives on sleep patterns in São Paulo, Brazil
- Authors
- Hachul H, Andersen ML, Bittencourt L et al.
- Journal
- International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
- Year
- 2013
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 297
- What was tested
- Hormonal contraceptives
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2012.08.020
Topics
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