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Menstrual Cycle Related Sleep Disturbances In Women


Menstrual Cycle Related Sleep Disturbances In Women

On an average, 50% of women reported disrupted sleep for two to three days during each menstrual cycle. These changes can be linked to the fluctuating hormone levels present in the menstrual cycle,

a. Before Ovulation

b. During Ovulation

c. After Ovulation

a. Before Ovulation (days 1-12): 36% of women said their sleep was most disturbed during the first few days of their menstrual periods. Typically, the period (bleeding or menstruation) occurs for about five days. After the period ends, an egg ripens in the ovary. During menstrual bleeding, women tend to get less restful sleep than at other times.

b. During Ovulation (days 13-14): An egg is released. If the egg is fertilized, pregnancy occurs. Otherwise the cycle continues and a menstrual period results in about 14 days.

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c. After Ovulation (days 15-28): If pregnancy doesn't occur, the lining of the uterine wall begins to break down and is shed during the menstrual period.

Progesterone levels start off high at the beginning of this phase, reaching their peak level around days 19-21. Then levels begin to decrease toward the end of the phase. Women may find it more difficult to fall asleep. This may be related to the rapidly falling levels of progesterone.

“Women complain about premenstrual syndrome, but I think of it as the only time of the month that I can be myself.“-- Roseanne

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): Symptoms may occur during the later portion of this phase (starting about days 22-28). These include bloating, headaches, moodiness, irritability and abdominal cramps, all of which may cause sleep disturbances. The most common sleep-related problems reported by women with PMS are: Insomnia, Hypersomnia and Daytime Sleepiness.

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