The Menstrual Cycle and Sleep

Overview

Journal Sleep Med Clin

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2024 Mar 19

PMID 38501513

Authors

Elisabet Alzueta

Fiona C Baker

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aspects of sleep change across the menstrual cycle in some women. Poorer sleep quality in the premenstrual phase and menstruation is common in women with premenstrual symptoms or painful menstrual cramps. Although objective sleep continuity remains unchanged across the regular, asymptomatic menstrual cycle, activity in the sleep electroencephalogram varies, with a prominent increase in sleep spindle activity in the postovulatory luteal phase, when progesterone is present, relative to the follicular phase. Menstrual cycle phase, reproductive stage, and menstrual-related disorders should be considered when assessing women's sleep complaints.

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