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

Understanding Sleep01:11

Understanding Sleep

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...
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development01:30

Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development

Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

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:
Primary Motives: Sleep, Sex, and Pain Avoidance01:24

Primary Motives: Sleep, Sex, and Pain Avoidance

Primary motives such as sleep, sex, and pain avoidance are crucial drivers of behavior in humans and animals. These motives ensure survival, reproductive success, and overall well-being by prompting actions that meet essential bodily needs.
Sleep is a fundamental physiological drive that fosters a state of restfulness crucial for several bodily functions. It facilitates body restoration, the process by which the body repairs, rejuvenates, and maintains itself during sleep, including memory...
Stages of Sleep01:22

Stages of Sleep

Sleep progresses through distinct stages, each characterized by specific brain wave patterns and physiological responses ranging from wakefulness to stages of non-rapid eye movement, known as non-REM, to rapid eye movement, referred to as REM. Understanding these stages helps in recognizing how sleep supports various bodily and cognitive functions.
Before sleep begins, in wakefulness, the brain exhibits primarily beta waves, which are high in frequency and low in amplitude, indicating alertness...
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Progression of mild sleep-disordered breathing in children managed with watchful waiting.

Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine·2026
Same author

Outcomes of children after initiation of home mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy: a single center retrospective study.

BMC pulmonary medicine·2026
Same author

Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Newborns After Myelomeningocele Repair.

Pediatrics·2026
Same author

Feasibility of sleep assessment modalities in children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Seminars in pediatric neurology·2025
Same author

Adenotonsillectomy and Blood Pressure in Children With Mild Obstructive Sleep-Disordered Breathing: An Exploratory Analysis of the PATS Randomized Clinical Trial.

JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery·2025
Same author

Adenotonsillectomy and Health Care Utilization in Children With Snoring and Mild Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

JAMA pediatrics·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

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

Overview of Sleep and Gender Differences.

Chandra M Cherukuri1, Hiral Padia2, Fauziya Hassan3

  • 1Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Neurology, Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Department of Family and Community Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Sleep Medicine Clinics
|May 20, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Women experience significant sleep changes throughout life due to hormonal shifts. These changes impact sleep quality during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, affecting overall well-being.

Keywords:
InsomniaOSASleepWomen

More Related Videos

Protocol for Studying Extinction of Conditioned Fear in Naturally Cycling Female Rats
09:07

Protocol for Studying Extinction of Conditioned Fear in Naturally Cycling Female Rats

Published on: February 23, 2015

A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice
06:23

A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice

Published on: September 22, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 22, 2026

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

Protocol for Studying Extinction of Conditioned Fear in Naturally Cycling Female Rats
09:07

Protocol for Studying Extinction of Conditioned Fear in Naturally Cycling Female Rats

Published on: February 23, 2015

A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice
06:23

A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice

Published on: September 22, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive endocrinology and sleep medicine.

Background:

  • Female sleep patterns are dynamic, varying with distinct life stages.
  • Hormonal fluctuations significantly influence sleep quality and architecture.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the impact of hormonal changes across a woman's lifespan on sleep patterns.
  • To highlight sleep disturbances associated with specific life stages and conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on female sleep physiology and hormonal influences.
  • Analysis of sleep changes during puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause.

Main Results:

  • Menstrual cycle hormonal shifts correlate with premenstrual syndrome, poor sleep, and fatigue.
  • Pregnancy-induced hormonal and physical changes disrupt sleep.
  • Menopause (40-60% prevalence) involves insomnia and fragmented sleep due to estrogen decline and hot flashes.
  • Post-menopause increases obstructive sleep apnea risk and cardiovascular complications.

Conclusions:

  • Hormonal changes are a primary driver of sleep disturbances in women across their lifespan.
  • Understanding these changes is crucial for managing sleep health and associated risks.