Cohort study, 2024
Is there a link between sleep and menstrual problems in teenage girls?
Yes. Girls who sleep less and have more sleep problems report worse menstrual pain, irregular periods, and more premenstrual symptoms.
What they did
They analyzed data from 3,037 teenage girls (average age 13) from the U.S. ABCD Study who had started their periods. They examined sleep behavior from self and caregiver reports, and menstrual problems including irregular cycles, premenstrual symptoms, and menstrual pain. They adjusted for years since first period, race, ethnicity, parental education, and body mass index.
What they found
26.2% reported moderate-severe premenstrual symptoms and 20.8% reported moderate-severe menstrual pain. 23.3% reported irregular cycles and 15.9% reported heavy flow. Shorter sleep was linked to greater menstrual pain (β = -0.19), irregular cycles (β = -0.17), and premenstrual symptoms (β = -0.04). Higher sleep disturbance was linked to greater pain (β = 0.18) and worse symptoms (β = 0.03). Later wake times were linked to greater pain (β = 0.14). Girls who started their periods recently had less pain and fewer symptoms.
What it means for you
Sleep problems and shorter sleep may contribute to worse menstrual pain and premenstrual symptoms in teenage girls. Sleep should be checked and addressed in healthcare for teenagers with menstrual problems. The main limit is this is observational, so we cannot be certain sleep causes better menstrual health.
26.2%
reported moderate-severe premenstrual symptoms
20.8%
reported moderate-severe menstrual pain
3,037
teenage girls
About the study
- Original title
- The relationship between sleep and menstrual problems in early adolescent girls
- Authors
- Kiss O, Arnold A, Weiss HA et al.
- Journal
- Sleep science and practice
- Year
- 2024
- Study design
- Cohort study
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1186/s41606-024-00111-w
Topics
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