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Current Evidence on Sleep and Women's Mental Health
Xinchen Ye1, Yun Kwok Wing2, Sijing Chen1
1Li Chiu Kong Family Sleep Assessment Unit, Departments of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Sleep Medicine Clinics
|May 20, 2026
Summary
Women experience more sleep disorders and mental health issues due to unique biological and psychosocial factors. Understanding these sex differences is key to developing targeted sleep interventions for improved women's mental health.
Area of Science:
- Sleep science
- Women's health
- Mental health research
Background:
- Women exhibit higher prevalence of sleep disorders and mental health conditions.
- Biological and psychosocial factors unique to women influence sleep disorder onset and severity.
- Existing research often overlooks sex-specific considerations in sleep and mental health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review sex differences in prevalence, risk factors, and mental health correlates of common sleep disorders in women.
- To highlight the role of women-specific biological and psychosocial characteristics in sleep disorders.
- To inform the development of targeted interventions for improving women's mental health through sleep management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on insomnia, restless legs syndrome, nightmare disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea.
- Synthesis of evidence on prevalence, risk factors, and mental health associations across the female lifespan.
- Analysis of studies examining sex differences in sleep disorders and their mental health impact.
Main Results:
- Significant sex disparities exist in the prevalence of several sleep disorders.
- Women-specific factors, including hormonal changes and psychosocial stressors, are linked to increased sleep disorder risk.
- Sleep disorders in women are strongly associated with various mental health challenges.
Conclusions:
- Addressing women-specific biological and psychosocial factors is crucial for managing sleep disorders.
- Targeted, sleep-focused interventions can improve mental health outcomes for women.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex interplay between sleep, sex, and mental health in women.
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