Cohort study, 2003
How does the menstrual cycle affect women's sleep?
We cannot yet draw clear conclusions because existing studies are small and use different methods. However, sleep is almost always disrupted during pregnancy and postpartum, and menopause often causes insomnia.
What they did
This article reviewed existing studies about women's sleep during different life stages including the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. It examined both survey and sleep recording studies.
What they found
Studies so far have been small with different methods, making it impossible to reach definite conclusions about how the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives affect sleep. Sleep disruption in pregnancy and postpartum is nearly universal. Menopause is associated with insomnia due to hot flashes, mood disorders, and increased sleep-disordered breathing.
What it means for you
For the menstrual cycle and sleep, we need much larger and more consistent research. For pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause, there is stronger evidence that these affect sleep, though more research is still needed.
About the study
- Original title
- Sleep in women across the life cycle from adulthood through menopause
- Authors
- Moline ML, Broch L, Zak R et al.
- Journal
- Sleep medicine reviews
- Year
- 2003
- Study design
- Cohort study
- What was tested
- None - this is a review article
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1053/smrv.2001.0228
Topics
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