Do women need more sleep than men?
A good night's sleep is essential for your emotional and physical well-being. In fact, one of the most important functions of sleep is to allow the brain to repair and restore itself.
And while there is limited data describing the specifics of sleep and sleep disorders in women, research has shown that women may need more sleep than men to recover from the day. Without this, they could be more susceptible to negative health risks.
“Women's brains are wired differently than men's, and they are more complex,” saysNagamalar Raju, MD, an internal medicine physician and sleep medicine specialist in Piedmont. “Women are also multitaskers and do a lot at the same time. Because they use more of their actual brain, they may need a little more sleep than men. It's still debatable, but some experts say that women need an average of twenty minutes more than men usually do.”
Sleep and women's health
Anyone who suffers from sleep deprivation or sleep deprivation may be susceptible to negative health consequences. But a 2008 study from Duke University found that women who reported unhealthy sleep had more psychological problems than men, increasing their risk for unhealthy sleep.heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression and mood disorders.
“We think hormones are likely the culprit behind unhealthy sleep in women, but we don't know why this leads to more serious health consequences in women than in men,” says Dr. Raju.
Women and sleep problems
“Although most sleep disorders occur in men, women have certain disorders that are more common depending on the stage of life they are in,” says Dr. Raju.
Women have a higher incidence ofinsomnia, which means you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. They are also more likely to develop symptoms of restless leg syndrome during their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or even while breastfeeding.
And older women are at an even greater risk of developing sleep problems due to hormonal and physiological changes.
Women over 50 have a very high risk of developing itsleep apnea. And every fourth woman over the age of 65 is at risk for sleep apnea.
"That's itmenopausethere is a significant decrease in the amount of estrogen and progesterone in a woman's body," says Dr. Raju. "And that is the main reason why certain diseases are becoming more common."
Tips for a good night's sleep
Good habits are the cornerstone of...good sleep, says Dr. Raju. And with fluctuating hormones, women should take into account the following tips for a good night's sleep:
- Develop a regular waking and sleeping pattern.Go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
- Create a relaxing ritual before you go to bed.Women often worry about the stress of the day, which can affect sleep. Try thought exercises ordeep breathing techniquesbefore going to sleep to clear your head.
- Avoid stimulants in the afternoon.Avoid caffeinated drinks or nicotine afterward. They can keep you awake.
- Consult a doctor if you have trouble sleeping. "I tell my patients, “If you are concerned about both the quality and quantity of your sleep, get help,” says Dr. Raju. "Women always think of others first. But the health consequences of unhealthy sleep can be devastating."
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FAQs
“Women are also multi-taskers, and they do a lot at once. Because they use more of their actual brain, they may need a little bit more sleep than men. It is still debatable, but some experts say that women need twenty more minutes on average than men usually need.”
Do women really need more sleep than men? ›
There is no study that shows women need ten hours of sleep a night. According to Sara Nowakowski, an associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine, research does support the idea that women need slightly more sleep than men — though the difference is closer to 10 to 15 minutes.
How many hours of sleep does a woman need? ›
For optimum health and function, the average adult should get seven to nine hours of sleep every night. But more than 60% of women regularly fall short of that goal. This may be due to insomnia or another underlying condition that may require medical attention.
Is it true that women need 9-10 hours of sleep? ›
According to the National Sleep Foundation's recommendations, adults ages 18 to 64 tend to require seven to nine hours of sleep a night, while adults older than 64 should aim to get seven to eight. RELATED: How Much Sleep Do You Really Need Each Night? The guidelines don't differentiate sleep needs by gender or sex.
How much sleep does a woman need on her period? ›
As a general rule, you should aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep a night while on your period. You may need more sleep during your period due to low energy, discomfort and reduced sleep quality. Everyone is different, so the best advice is to listen to your body and rest when you need to.
Is it true men need more sleep than women? ›
And though limited data exists describing the specifics of sleep and sleep disorders in women, research has shown that women may require more sleep than men to recover from the day. Without it, they may be more susceptible to negative health risks.
How many hours of sleep do women need in 2024? ›
On average, adults typically need 7-9 hours of sleep per night for optimal health and functioning. While sleep needs may decrease slightly with age, older adults still require around 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
What hormones do women need more sleep? ›
Dr Harrington says rising levels of the sex hormone progesterone that occur in the last two weeks of women's monthly cycle have a soporific effect and that means women require more sleep.
Do men or women have a higher pain tolerance? ›
If a pressure stimulus is applied to the body and gradually increased, a woman would be more likely to report pain sooner (lower pain threshold) and tolerate less pressure (lower pain tolerance) than a man.
How many hours are men supposed to sleep? ›
Language switcher. Experts recommend that adults sleep between 7 and 9 hours a night. Adults who sleep less than 7 hours a night may have more health issues than those who sleep 7 or more hours a night.
Lack of sleep is not good for your body – especially on your period! If there's ever a time you NEED quality sleep and rest it's when you're on your period. Your body goes through a change during menstruation – emotionally and physically. It's important to listen to your body and get ample amount of rest.
Why does my girlfriend sleep so much during her period? ›
Studies have shown that people who menstruate usually experience more light sleep and less rapid eye movement (REM) sleep before menstruation. Women with PMDD may experience an additional change to sleep architecture in the form of increased deep sleep during this time.
Is it OK to sleep extra on your period? ›
Heavy menstrual bleeding often causes women to feel tired, commonly known as period fatigue. This is normal due to the decrease in oestrogen levels, which occurs around this point in your menstrual cycle. Your energy levels will usually return to normal within a few days as your hormone levels begin to increase again.
How many hours of sleep does a man need? ›
Experts recommend that adults sleep between 7 and 9 hours a night. Adults who sleep less than 7 hours a night may have more health issues than those who sleep 7 or more hours a night.
Is sleep deprivation more common in men or women? ›
Female sex hormones have been long thought to play a role in sleep and sleep deprivation, as women are twice as likely as men to experience sleep disruptions, especially around puberty, menarche and menopause.
What is the new study on women's sleep? ›
The review found women rate their sleep quality lower than men's and report more fluctuations in their quality of sleep, corresponding to changes throughout the menstrual cycle.
What is the average amount of guys a girl sleeps with? ›
The average number of sexual partners for men and women in the United States is 7.2, reports a recent Superdrug survey.
