“Sleep problems are a lifetime struggle for many women,” said
Dr. Meir Kryger, M.D., author of “A Woman’s Guide to
Sleep Disorders” and director of the sleep disorders center
at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, Canada. “There are
many potential issues in a woman’s life that can disrupt
her sleep.”
Women are typically the primary caretakers of the family. “They
are the first to get up and the last to go to sleep,” Kryger
said, and “women are more likely to suffer from depression
and anxiety, two conditions that can cause insomnia.”
Hormones may partially explain why women suffer from insomnia
more than men. A recent survey by the National Sleep Foundation
found that roughly fifty percent of women had difficulty sleeping
prior to and during the menstrual cycle. On average, women report
disrupted sleep for two to three days each cycle. These sleep changes
can be linked to the rise and fall of hormone levels in the body.
Women’s sleep experiences also vary during the menstrual
cycle and certain types of sleep problems are associated with each
phase of the cycle. Women who experience regular and persistent
sleep problems during their menstrual cycle should consult a physician.
Women also have difficulty sleeping during other periods of hormonal
fluctuation. Sleep problems are one of the top complaints women
have during menopause.
“Clearly in menopausal women, the hot flashes have an effect
on sleep,” said Dr. Mark P. Kawalick, M.D., the medical director
of the Sleep Disorders Center at New Britain’s General Hospital
in Connecticut.
 Pregnancy is another time in a woman’s life she can experience
difficulty sleeping. Almost eight in 10 women experience more sleep
disturbances during pregnancy than at other times. Hormonal changes,
heartburn, a growing abdomen, difficulty breathing and getting
comfortable all play a role in sleep disorders tied to pregnancy.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS), a neurological disorder characterized
by numbness, tingling and other uncomfortable sensations is more
common in pregnant women and can disrupt sleep. “Iron deficiency
anemia can also aggravate restless legs syndrome,” Kawalick
said. This type of anemia is often seen in women with heavy periods.
Getting help may be necessary if a person’s sleep cycle
is disrupted for extended periods of time.
“A diagnosis is the most important thing,” Kryger
said. “Very often the cause of a sleep problem is something
that is fixable.” Kryger has seen patients with pain from
arthritis, RLS, or esophageal reflux and others suffering from
anxiety or mourning a loss, all of whom complain of difficulties
sleeping. The sleep problems usually go away after these primary
health issues are effectively addressed.
For others, behavioral therapy or medication is necessary. Sleeping
medication is usually prescribed for a short period of time and
should always be monitored by a physician. As with all medications,
sleeping pills have side effects and should never be mixed together
with alcohol or other prescription drugs.
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