Ask the Experts: "Do women suffer more from insomnia than men?"
 Muhammad Sayed, MD Sleep Medicine Specialist Cascade Valley Sleep Disorders Center |
Q: Do women suffer more from insomnia than men?
--Sherrie, Arlington
A: Sleep disorders affect about 60 million Americans. Insomnia (a persistent difficulty going to sleep staying asleep, or going back to sleep) is one of the most common ones. 18% of the general population struggles with it. The majority of those are women. Many women experience Insomnia at times of hormonal fluctuation, such as the pre-menstrual period, during pregnancy, the post-partum period, and in the menopausal transition.
Pre-menstrual Insomnia: Some women report difficulty sleeping before their menstrual period. This type of Insomnia spontaneously resolves when their period starts. This type of Insomnia can be treated with sedatives or anti-depressants.
Pregnancy and Post-partum Insomnia: Up to 90% of pregnant women report sleep difficulties, particularly in the third trimester of pregnancy. This may be due to moving a lot while asleep, or restless legs syndrome. Those with Insomnia experience trouble sleeping even when they are allowed unlimited undisturbed sleep. Behavioral therapies can be this type of Insomnia. Sometimes behavioral therapies are not successful and sedatives should be considered.
Peri-menopausal Insomnia: An estimated 30% to 60% of women report difficulties with their sleep in the peri-menopausal period. This might be due to psychological distress, headache, dizziness, palpitations, depression, and weight gain. Those women can benefit from behavioral therapy. Hormonal therapy, anti-depressants, and sedatives can be beneficial as well.
It is also important to assess for sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, depression, anxiety, medications or environmental factors that may disrupt sleep.
If you are experiencing any sleep-related problem, ask your primary care physician to refer you to a Sleep Medicine Specialist, as you might need further evaluation and an over-night sleep study.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only. It should not replace a visit with your health care professional. Call your doctor if you need more information or have additional questions.