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Menstrual Cycle Effects on Sleep.

Fiona C Baker1, Kathryn Aldrich Lee2

  • 1Human Sleep Research Program, SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA; Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa.

Sleep Medicine Clinics
|August 13, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sleep quality fluctuates with the menstrual cycle, often worsening before and during menstruation. Hormonal shifts influence sleep patterns, affecting women

Keywords:
DysmenorrheaEstrogenFollicularLutealMenstrual cyclePolycystic ovary syndromePremenstrual syndromeSleep spindles

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Endocrinology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Women's Health

Background:

  • Sleep patterns naturally change throughout the menstrual cycle.
  • Pre-menstrual and menstrual phases are often associated with poorer sleep quality, especially in women experiencing pre-menstrual symptoms or dysmenorrhea.
  • Hormonal fluctuations, particularly progesterone, are implicated in sleep alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the relationship between menstrual cycle phases and sleep characteristics.
  • To identify specific sleep changes associated with different menstrual cycle stages.
  • To highlight the importance of considering menstrual cycle context in sleep assessments for women.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on sleep and the menstrual cycle.
  • Analysis of subjective and objective sleep measures across follicular and luteal phases.
  • Consideration of specific conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and their impact on sleep.

Main Results:

  • Increased sleep spindle activity observed from the follicular to luteal phase, potentially linked to progesterone.
  • Blunted circadian temperature rhythm amplitude and reduced rapid eye movement (REM) sleep noted during the luteal phase.
  • Short sleep duration is correlated with irregular menstrual cycles, potentially affecting reproductive health.

Conclusions:

  • Menstrual cycle phase significantly influences sleep architecture and quality.
  • Menstrual cycle-related disorders and hormonal changes are critical factors in women's sleep complaints.
  • Screening for sleep disordered breathing is recommended for women with PCOS.