Sleep is important for everyone – but do women need more than men?
This has been an ongoing debate among researchers and medical experts as they weigh the various biological factors at play.
Sleep expert Dr. Wendy Troxel, RAND Corporation senior behavioral specialist and graduate clinical psychologist in Utah, said the idea that women need significantly more sleep than men is “often exaggerated.”
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Research has shown that the difference between men and women is “pretty minimal,” as women only need an additional 11 to 13 minutes of sleep, Troxel told Fox News Digital.
In addition to insomnia, women are more likely to suffer from other sleep disorders, such as restless leg syndrome, which can compromise sleep quality. (iStock)
‘This exaggeration may put pressure on women to focus on a certain number of hours of sleep, potentially at the expense of sleep duration sleep qualityshe said.
“This is problematic because women are already twice as likely to develop insomnia compared to men.”
Sleep physician Dr. William Lu, medical director of Dreem Health in San Francisco, said women tend to sleep more than men — about 10 to 20 minutes more per night, studies show.
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“However, we’re not sure if this is because women need more sleep or because men don’t sleep enough,” he told Fox News Digital.
‘If that’s the reason women need more sleephormones will most likely play an important factor.”
‘Ultimate self-care’
Troxel said she considers sleep to be the “ultimate self-care for women, yet it is often the first thing sacrificed amid life’s many demands.”
Because women are about twice as likely to develop depression as men, it is especially important that they stick with it healthy sleep schedules to support their mental health and well-being, she noted.
It can be difficult for pregnant women to find a comfortable sleeping position, which can affect sleep quality, according to an expert. (iStock)
“More broadly, quality sleep can support brain health, relationship health and overall physical health, including reducing the risk of… heart disease“, said the expert.
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Good sleep can also help women better manage stress, maintain a healthy weight and boost immune system resilience.
How much sleep is enough?
Sleep duration is “very dependent on the individual,” Lu said.
“Get enough sleep so you feel rested and refreshed,” he advised. “Too many people focus on the specific amount of sleep needed and not on how they feel after waking up.”
“As a general rule of thumb, women can aim for about 7.5 hours of sleep per night.”
Research shows that women sleep an average of twenty minutes more per day than men. (iStock)
Dr. Navya Mysore, medical director of online healthcare platform Nurx, suggested that both men and women need about seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
“Too many people focus on the specific amount of sleep needed and not on how they feel after waking up.”
“It’s difficult to determine exactly how much more sleep a woman needs compared to men because there are so many factors that can affect the quality of sleep, such as stress levelssleep hygiene habits, exercise, diet and alcohol,” New York-based Mysore told Fox News Digital.
“If you have better sleep quality, you may need more than seven hours per night, compared to someone with worse sleep quality, who may need more than nine hours,” she added.
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Troxel agreed that men and women should be encouraged to “optimize all aspects of sleep,” rather than just focusing on sleep duration sleep health.”
This includes duration, quality and consistent sleep-wake patterns throughout the week, she said.
Sleep problems that affect women
Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes, which Troxel says can lead to fragmented sleep and a higher risk of insomnia, especially during menstrual cyclespregnancy and menopause.
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“About 60% of women experience this sleep disorders during the transition to menopause, but these symptoms often go untreated, which can have a significant negative impact on quality of life,” she said.
Lu added that in the weeks leading up to menstruation, a woman may feel increasingly tired and need more sleep.
A person with better sleep quality needs fewer hours of sleep per night, an expert noted. (iStock)
In the second half of the menstrual cycle (or luteal phase), progesterone levels rise, which can make women feel sleepier and lead to poorer sleep quality, Mysore said.
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Pregnancy can also cause sleep problems.
“Many (pregnant) women have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, which can make them feel more tired during the day,” says Lu.
“There are effective non-drug treatments for insomnia available, and it is critical to ensure these options are accessible to all women,” said one sleep expert. (iStock)
“There are also increased risks of obstructive sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome during pregnancywhich may play a role in sleep quality.”
Symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, can also cause sleep disturbances.
“About 60% of women experience sleep disturbances during the transition to menopause, but these symptoms often go untreated.”
Both experts added that women fulfilling traditional caregiving responsibilities and societal expectations while at work can also contribute to sleep disruptions and added stress.
Those who experience persistent sleep problems should take a medical service provider for recommendations.
