Survey study, 2026
How do hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect sleep?
Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect sleep quality. Women with PMS or PMDD often have poor sleep and daytime fatigue. During menopause, 40 to 60 out of 100 women have sleep problems due to falling estrogen and hot flashes.
What they did
This was an overview of how sleep patterns change in women across different life stages including puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, and how hormones influence sleep.
What they found
Sleep quality changes during the menstrual cycle due to hormonal shifts. PMS and PMDD are linked to poor sleep and daytime fatigue. During pregnancy, hormonal changes, physical discomfort, and fetal movements disrupt sleep. During menopause, 40 to 60 out of 100 women have sleep problems including insomnia and fragmented sleep, largely because estrogen levels fall and women experience hot flashes. After menopause, obstructive sleep apnea becomes more common, with higher risks of heart problems.
What it means for you
Hormones affect how women sleep throughout their lives, particularly during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Sleep problems linked to menstruation are common in PMS and PMDD. The main limitation is that this overview does not describe testing any specific treatment.
40-60%
Women with sleep problems during menopause
About the study
- Original title
- Overview of Sleep and Gender Differences
- Authors
- Cherukuri CM, Padia H, Hassan F
- Journal
- Sleep medicine clinics
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None. This was an overview article describing what is known about sleep and menstrual hormones.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.jsmc.2026.02.001
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 2001
Do changing reproductive hormones disrupt the body's internal clock and cause mood disorders?
Systematic review, 2026
Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle?
Review, 2016
How do reproductive hormones affect mood and behavior in women?
Review, 2012
Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause?
Review, 2006
How do brain hormones affect PMDD and mood problems during the menstrual cycle?
Survey study, 2002
What treatments work for depression linked to the menstrual cycle and PMDD?