If you feel like your sleep gets worse just before your period, it's not just in your head.
Numerous studies have shown that women are significantly more likely to develop sleep disorders than men. And, according to new research, this may be down to the cyclical hormonal roller coaster our bodies go through every month.
In a study published in the Journal of Sleep Research, scientists from the University of East Anglia and the University of Houston analyzed sleep data from 51 healthy women between the ages of 18 and 35 to determine how sleep quality changes throughout the menstrual cycle. The participants, who all had regular periods and were not taking hormonal contraception, were also asked to monitor fluctuations in their mood throughout the month.
Previous research has shown that estrogen, which rises at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, is associated with positive effects on mood and cognition, while progesterone, which peaks towards the end of the cycle, is associated with more negative emotions such as irritability and depression. Therefore, it was perhaps unsurprising that the participants reported higher feelings of anger and fewer positive emotions in the days running up to their period.
As well as emotional fluctuations, the researchers also observed significant changes in sleep quality throughout the month. According to the participants' activity trackers, they experience much more disruption to their sleep patterns in the days leading up to and during their period, spending more time lying awake in bed.
The researchers hope that their findings will contribute to a growing body of evidence that hormonal fluctuations play an important role in sleep disorders and emotional distress in women.
"Our research provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between menstrual cycles, emotions, and sleep and the impact of hormonal fluctuations on women's well-being," study co-author Jo Bower of the University of East Anglia's School of Psychology said in a statement. "By understanding how these factors interact, we can better address the unique needs of women in terms of sleep health and emotional well-being.
"The implications of this research reach further than just the controlled setting, providing potential pathways for interventions and treatments aimed at enhancing sleep quality and emotional resilience in women."
Is there a health problem that's worrying you? Do you have a question about menstrual cycles? Let us know via health@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
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