Sleep is important for everyone, but do women need it more than men?
This has been an ongoing debate among researchers and medical professionals as they weigh the various biological factors that play a role.
Sleep expert Wendy Troxell, Ph.D., a senior behavioral specialist at the RAND Corporation and a licensed clinical psychologist in Utah, says the idea that women need significantly more sleep than men is “overstated. “There are often many,” he said.
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Research shows that women only need 11 to 13 more minutes of sleep, and the difference between men and women is “pretty small,” Troxell told FOX News Digital.
In addition to insomnia, women are more likely to experience other sleep disorders, such as restless leg syndrome, which can impair sleep quality. (St. Petersburg)
“This exaggeration can put pressure on women to focus on achieving specific sleep hours, potentially sacrificing sleep quality,” she says.
“This is a problem because women are already twice as likely to develop insomnia as men.”
Dr. William Lu, a sleep medicine physician and medical director of Dream Health in San Francisco, said women tend to sleep longer than men, and studies show they sleep about 10 to 20 minutes more a night. is shown.
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“But we don't know for sure whether it's because women need more sleep or whether it's because men aren't getting enough sleep,” he told FOX News Digital.
“If the reason is that women need more sleep, it's very likely that hormones are a key factor.”
“Ultimate self-care”
Troxell said she believes sleep is “the ultimate form of self-care for women, but it's often the first sacrificed among life's many demands.”
She noted that women face about twice the risk of depression than men, so it's especially important to maintain a healthy sleep schedule to support mental health and well-being.
Experts say pregnant women have difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position, which can affect the quality of their sleep. (St. Petersburg)
“More broadly, high-quality sleep can support overall health, including brain health, relationship health, and reduced risk of heart disease,” the experts said.
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Adequate sleep also helps women better manage stress, maintain a healthy weight, and boost immunity.
How much sleep is enough?
Sleep duration is “highly individual-dependent,” Lu said.
“Get enough sleep and feel rested and refreshed,” he advised. “Too many people focus on the specific amount of sleep they need and don't pay attention to how they feel when they wake up.”
“As a general rule of thumb, women should aim to get about 7.5 hours of sleep a night.”
Research shows that women tend to sleep up to 20 minutes more per day than men. (St. Petersburg)
Dr. Navya Mysore, medical director of online healthcare platform Nurx, suggested that both men and women need around seven to nine hours of sleep a night.
“Too many people focus on the specific amount of sleep they need and don't pay attention to how they feel when they wake up.”
“There are many factors that influence sleep quality, including stress levels, sleep hygiene habits, exercise, diet, and alcohol, so determining exactly how much more sleep women need compared to men is difficult. It’s difficult,” New York-based Mysore told Fox News Digital.
“People with good sleep quality may need closer to seven hours a night, while those with poor sleep quality may need closer to nine hours,” she added.
Experts recommend doing this activity before bed to improve your sleep
Troxell agreed that men and women should be encouraged to “optimize all aspects of sleep health,” rather than just focusing on sleep duration.
This includes sleep duration, quality, and consistent sleep-wake patterns throughout the week, she said.
Sleep problems affecting women
Women face more frequent hormonal changes, especially during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause, which can lead to fragmented sleep and increase the risk of insomnia, Troxell said.
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“Despite around 60% of women experiencing sleep disturbances during the menopausal transition, these symptoms are often untreated and can have a significant negative impact on quality of life,” she said. said.
Lu added that women may feel more tired and need more sleep in the weeks leading up to their period.
According to experts, people who sleep well need less sleep per night. (St. Petersburg)
Dr. Mysore says progesterone levels increase during the second half of the menstrual cycle (the luteal phase), which can make women feel more sleepy and lead to poor sleep quality.
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Pregnancy can also cause sleep problems.
“Many [pregnant] “Women have a harder time falling asleep and staying asleep, which can make them feel more tired during the day,” Lu said.
“Effective non-pharmacological treatments for insomnia are available, and it is important to ensure that these options are available to all women,” said the sleep expert. (St. Petersburg)
“Pregnancy also increases the risk of obstructive sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome, which can affect the quality of your sleep.”
Menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes can also cause sleep problems.
“About 60% of women experience sleep problems during the menopausal transition, but these symptoms often go untreated.”
Both experts added that women's traditional caregiving roles and societal expectations while working can contribute to sleep problems and increased stress.
If your sleep problems continue to occur, you should talk to your health care provider for recommendations.
