Case-control study, 2012
How does sleep differ during the menstrual cycle in women with PMDD?
Women with PMDD had lower melatonin and more deep sleep compared to controls. This suggests their sleep regulation may be different.
What they did
Seven women with PMDD who reported insomnia during the luteal phase and five controls slept in the laboratory every third night throughout a complete menstrual cycle. Researchers measured sleep stages and hormone levels including melatonin.
What they found
Both groups showed increased stage 2 sleep during mid-luteal phase and decreased REM sleep during early luteal phase. Compared to controls, PMDD women had significantly increased slow-wave sleep and significantly decreased melatonin.
What it means for you
Lower melatonin in PMDD women may be linked to their sleep problems. The main limitation is the very small sample of only 7 women with PMDD.
7
women with PMDD
5
control women
every 3rd night
measurement frequency
About the study
- Original title
- Nocturnal polysomnographic sleep across the menstrual cycle in premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Shechter A, Lespérance P, Ng Ying Kin NM et al.
- Journal
- Sleep medicine
- Year
- 2012
- Study design
- Case-control study
- What was tested
- None - observational study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2012.05.012
Topics
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