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Sleep Disorders in Women

Researchers have found that women are two times more likely to suffer from a sleep disorder than men. Some of the leading factors that affect women’s sleep include:

fluctuating hormone levels
illness
lifestyle
menopause
pregnancy
sleeping environment
stress.

During their menstrual years, women tend to suffer from sleeping problems more during the PMS phase of their cycle. Some of the common sleep disorders associated with menstruating women include:

daytime drowsiness
difficulty falling and staying asleep
difficulty waking up
insomnia.

Unfortunately, as a woman stops menstruating and enters menopause, she is more likely to suffer from sleep disorders

In this section, we will examine the causes and types of sleeping disorders that tend to afflict women. Our articles outline various treatment options for women with sleep disorders.

Pregnancy

When a woman becomes pregnant, her sleep needs and schedule tends to change dramatically to accommodate the physical and hormonal changes taking place in her body. Here is an outline of pregnant women’s sleeping needs according to each trimester:

First trimester: A woman needs significantly more sleep than she usually needs. She will also likely suffer from daytime drowsiness. Some doctors recommend that women in their first trimester schedule naps or periods of rest throughout their days to accommodate this increased need for sleep.
Second trimester: A woman’s sleep normalizes and her sleeping needs aren’t as demanding. Daytime drowsiness is far less of a problem in the second trimester.
Third trimester: In an opposite vein of the first trimester, women in their third trimester sleep far less than normal. While hormones play a role in this, so too does the anticipation of the birth.

Although sleep problems for pregnant women vary, common disorders include nightmares, snoring and sleep apnea. Keep reading to learn more about sleep disorders in pregnant women.

Stress

Regardless of gender, stress is one of the leading causes of sleep disorders. Whether it be physical or emotional, stress can cause anxiety, which triggers sleeplessness, problems staying asleep and potentially nightmares. If you are experiencing sleeping problems and no physical factor can be identified as the cause, you may need to evaluate your levels of stress.

Consider learning about stress management techniques so that you can implement them in your life. Over time, even if stress isn’t the primary cause of your sleep disorder, you will likely experience better, more restful sleep. Keep reading to learn more about the relationship between stress and sleep in women.

Menopause

While women are more likely than men to suffer from a sleep disorder no matter what age they are, older women, especially those going through menopause, are the most afflicted. Not only do hormonal changes make menopausal women sleep less and lighter, but the physical symptoms associated with menopause (such as night sweats and hot flashes) can also seriously disrupt her sleep.

Along with these physical stressors, mental and emotional stress may also disrupt menopausal women’s sleep. Because these women are experiencing such dramatic changes in their hormone levels, they can be prone to mood swings and, at times, depression, over the physical changes they are enduring. This combination of factors puts menopausal women at a higher risk of suffering from a number of sleep disorders.

Read on to learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatments for sleep disorders in menopausal women.

Resources

E Medicine Health (2007). Sleep Disorders in Women. Retrieved July 3, 2007 from the E Medicine Web Site: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/sleep_disorders_in_women/
article_em.htm.

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