Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Menstrual Cycle01:19

The Menstrual Cycle

815
The menstrual cycle is a recurrent sequence of changes in the uterine endometrium, specifically its functional layer, the stratum functionalis. This cycle prepares the uterus for potential pregnancy. This cycle typically spans 21–35 days, averaging 28 days, and aligns with the ovarian cycle, regulated by fluctuating levels of ovarian hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone.
The menstrual phase occurs from days 1 to 5 and involves the shedding of the stratum functionalis, as a...
815
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle01:22

Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle

367
The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH...
367
Understanding Sleep01:11

Understanding Sleep

228
Sleep, an essential biological state, involves significant reductions in physical activity, sensory awareness, and interaction with the environment. This complex physiological process is primarily regulated by specific brain regions, notably the hypothalamus and pons, which govern the sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm.
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
228
Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

1.3K
Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
1.3K
Menses Phase01:18

Menses Phase

262
The uterine cycle begins with the menstrual phase, which is considered day one of the cycle and typically lasts about five days. This phase is characterized by the degeneration and shedding of the stratum functionalis, the functional layer of the endometrium.
When fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum deteriorates, causing a significant drop in the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. This hormonal decrease triggers the release of prostaglandins, which cause the uterine...
262
Secretory Phase01:19

Secretory Phase

715
The secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, spanning from day 14 to 28 in a typical 28-day cycle, is a period of significant physiological changes in the female reproductive system. This phase commences immediately after ovulation and is characterized by the preparation of the endometrium for potential embryo implantation.
Following ovulation, the corpus luteum, a temporary endocrine structure, produces progesterone and estrogens. These hormones stimulate the growth and coiling of endometrial...
715

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Media Parenting Practices and Early Adolescent Cyberbullying: Findings From the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study.

The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine·2026
Same author

The prospective association between cyberbullying trajectories and poorer academic outcomes in adolescents.

Academic pediatrics·2026
Same author

Associations between screen time and dietary intake among early adolescents: a prospective cohort study.

Pediatric research·2026
Same author

Social Media Use Trajectories and Substance Use Experimentation: A Prospective Cohort Study.

The American journal of psychiatry·2026
Same author

Prospective Associations Between Media Parenting Practices and Early Adolescent Screen Use: Findings From the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study.

Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)·2026
Same author

Social Media Usage and Its Association With the Social Media Addiction Questionnaire Scale Among Early Adolescents.

JAACAP open·2026
Same journal

Sleep in Women.

Sleep medicine clinics·2026
Same journal

Future Research Direction for Women's Sleep Health.

Sleep medicine clinics·2026
Same journal

Sleep Disturbance and Female Infertility.

Sleep medicine clinics·2026
Same journal

Circadian Disruption Shift Work and Breast Cancer Risk.

Sleep medicine clinics·2026
Same journal

Sleep Duration and Mortality in Women: Effect of Aging and Menopause.

Sleep medicine clinics·2026
Same journal

Update on Restless Legs Syndrome Management during Pregnancy.

Sleep medicine clinics·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
04:33

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression

Published on: April 26, 2024

678

The Menstrual Cycle and Sleep.

Elisabet Alzueta1, Fiona C Baker2

  • 1Human Sleep Research Program, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA.

Sleep Medicine Clinics
|March 19, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sleep patterns can change during the menstrual cycle, particularly for women experiencing premenstrual symptoms or cramps. Progesterone influences sleep electroencephalogram activity, especially during the luteal phase.

Keywords:
FollicularLutealMenstrual cycleReproductionSleep

More Related Videos

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
08:36

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments

Published on: August 8, 2019

12.0K
Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice
10:56

Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice

Published on: August 2, 2017

10.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 30, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
04:33

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression

Published on: April 26, 2024

678
Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
08:36

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments

Published on: August 8, 2019

12.0K
Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice
10:56

Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice

Published on: August 2, 2017

10.0K

Area of Science:

  • Sleep science
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Women's health

Background:

  • Sleep quality can fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle for some women.
  • Premenstrual symptoms and painful menstrual cramps are often associated with poorer sleep quality.
  • Objective sleep continuity is generally stable, but electroencephalogram activity varies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate variations in sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) activity across the menstrual cycle.
  • To examine the influence of hormonal changes, specifically progesterone, on sleep architecture.
  • To highlight the importance of considering menstrual cycle phase in sleep assessments.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) data across different menstrual cycle phases.
  • Comparison of sleep spindle activity between the follicular and postovulatory luteal phases.
  • Correlation of sleep changes with hormonal profiles, particularly progesterone levels.

Main Results:

  • Objective sleep continuity remained unchanged across the regular, asymptomatic menstrual cycle.
  • A significant increase in sleep spindle activity was observed in the postovulatory luteal phase compared to the follicular phase.
  • Progesterone presence during the luteal phase correlated with increased sleep spindle activity.

Conclusions:

  • Menstrual cycle phase significantly influences sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) activity, notably sleep spindle patterns.
  • Hormonal fluctuations, particularly progesterone, play a role in modulating sleep characteristics.
  • Clinical assessments of women's sleep complaints should incorporate menstrual cycle phase and related disorders.