Sleep is important for everyone – but do women need it more than men?
This has been an ongoing discussion among researchers and medical professionals, as they measure the various biological factors that come into play.
Sleep expert Dr. Wendy Troxel, a senior consultant at the RAND Corporation and a licensed Utah psychologist, said the idea that women need more sleep than men “is often buried.”
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Studies have shown that the difference between men and women is “very small,” with women only needing 11 to 13 minutes of sleep, Troxel told Fox News Digital.
In addition to insomnia, women are more likely to experience other sleep problems, such as restless leg syndrome, which may compromise sleep quality. (Stock)
“This exaggeration can pressure women to focus on hitting a certain number of hours of sleep, which may result in a loss of sleep quality,” he said.
“This is a problem, as women are twice as likely to suffer from insomnia compared to men.”
Sleep medicine doctor Dr. William Lu, medical director at Dream Health in San Francisco, said women tend to sleep more than men — about 10 to 20 minutes more each night, studies show.
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“However, we don’t know for sure if it’s because women need more sleep or because men don’t get enough,” she told Fox News Digital.
“If the reason is that women need more sleep, hormones probably play an important factor.”
‘Superior self-care’
Troxel said that she considers sleep to be “a form of total self-care for women, yet it is often the first thing that is sacrificed among the many needs of life.”
Since women face twice the risk of depression as men, it’s especially important that they maintain 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 the quality of sleep, experts say. (Stock)
“In general, 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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Getting enough sleep can also help women better manage stress, maintain a healthy weight and strengthen the immune system.
How much sleep is enough?
The length of sleep “depends a lot on the person,” according to Lu.
“Get enough sleep to feel rested and refreshed,” she advises. “Too many people focus on the specific amount of sleep needed and not how they feel after waking up.”
“As a general rule, women can aim for 7.5 hours of sleep a night.”
Research shows that women tend to sleep up to 20 minutes more per day than men. (Stock)
Dr. Navya Mysore, medical director of online health care platform Nurx, suggested that both men and women need about seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
“Too many people focus on the specific amount of sleep needed and not how they feel after waking up.”
“It is difficult to pinpoint how much sleep a woman may need compared to men, as there are many factors that can influence sleep quality – such as stress levels, sleeping habits, exercise, food and alcohol,” New York-based Mysore told Fox News Digital.
“If you have better quality sleep, you may need closer to seven hours a night compared to someone with lower quality sleep, who needs closer to nine hours,” he added.
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Troxel agreed that instead of just focusing on sleep time, men and women should be encouraged to “improve all aspects of sleep health.”
These include duration, quality and consistent sleep patterns throughout the week, he said.
Sleep challenges affecting women
Women experience regular hormonal changes, which Troxel said can lead to fragmented sleep and a greater risk of insomnia, especially during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause.
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“Approximately 60% of women have sleep disorders during menopause, but these symptoms are often left untreated, which can have a very negative impact on health,” she said.
Lu added that in the weeks before a woman’s period she may feel very tired and need more sleep.
A person with better sleep quality will need fewer hours of sleep each night, the expert notes. (Stock)
In the second half of the menstrual cycle (or the luteal phase), progesterone levels rise, which can make women feel sleepy and may lead to poor attention, according to Mysore.
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Pregnancy can also cause difficulty sleeping.
“There are not many [pregnant] “women have trouble falling or falling asleep, which can lead to them feeling very tired during the day,” said Lu.
“Effective non-drug treatments for insomnia are available, and it is important to ensure that these options are available to all women,” said the sleep specialist. (Stock)
“There are also increased risks of obstructive sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome during pregnancy, which can affect sleep quality.”
Menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, can also cause sleep disturbances.
“Approximately 60% of women experience sleep disturbances during menstruation, but these symptoms are often untreated.”
Both experts added that women fulfilling traditional caregiving roles and societal expectations while working can also contribute to sleep disturbances and increased stress.
Those with consistent sleep challenges should see a medical provider for recommendations.
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