Insomnia affects women more than men

Anyone is at risk of experiencing insomnia, but women experience insomnia more often than men. An inadequate sleep will make you feel tired, sleepy during the day and can also lead to a variety of health conditions.

Higher rates of insomnia in women have been found in many studies and some estimates suggest a 40% higher lifetime risk of insomnia in women.
In another study, it was found that 67% of women had problems with sleep at least a few nights in the past month and 46% had problems almost every night.
Thus, insomnia is more common in women than in men, insomnia especially affects middle-aged women. From there, it affects the health, as well as the psychological factors of women of this age.

There are no factors that explain the disparity in insomnia between men and women or why women lose more sleep than men. But it's been recognized that many different factors combine to produce sleep effects for taller women.
Some of the reasons why women lose more sleep than men can relate to gender differences and some other factors related to mental health as well as changes during development of women.
Factors that increase the risk of affecting a woman's sleep include:
Hormones: Hormones are involved in the regulation of the body and play an integral role in the functioning of almost every system. system of the body. Hormones can affect sleep directly or indirectly. It is hormonal differences that may be the underlying cause of different problems in women, including higher rates of insomnia. Menstruation begins: Research has shown that an increased risk of insomnia begins with the onset of menstruation. The exact explanation for this is unknown, but it may have to do with how sex hormones affect sleep and wake cycles. In addition, evidence suggests that girls during puberty are at increased risk for depression, a mental health condition often associated with sleep problems. During the menstrual cycle: The phases of the monthly menstrual cycle are driven by changes in hormone production. The rising and falling levels of estrogen and progesterone can create physical and emotional changes throughout each month, although these changes can affect each woman differently. Levels of these hormones drop dramatically in the days leading up to each period, causing about 90% of women to experience physical or mood changes, including disrupted sleep.

During pregnancy: The significant hormonal changes that occur during and after pregnancy can affect sleep. During pregnancy, a woman no longer experiences the monthly fluctuations associated with her menstrual cycle, but rather major hormonal changes that begin during the first trimester that can cause fatigue, morning sickness, weight gain and a host of other physical and emotional changes. The constant hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can disrupt the sleep-wake cycle and many women notice sleep problems. Especially in the last 3 months of pregnancy. Perimenopause and menopause: Menopause is when a woman permanently stops menstruating and is preceded by a transition period, known as perimenopause, which involves changes in hormone production. On average, perimenopause begins in a woman's mid to late 40s and lasts about 4 years before a woman has her last period. Insomnia in middle-aged women is considered a core symptom of perimenopause and menopause. An estimated 38-60% of women during this time report symptoms consistent with insomnia. In addition to the above factors related to gender, the rate of insomnia is higher in women than in men. Other causes of insomnia in women as well as men include:
Depression, anxiety and stress: Sleep is often associated with mental health and women are more likely more sleep problems than men related to conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Women are diagnosed with depression at a higher rate than men, and sleeping too much or too little is a frequent symptom of that disorder. Urinary system problems: Kidney and bladder problems can contribute to frequent urination at night, also known as nocturia, which can be a barrier to sleep. discontinuity. Women are twice as likely to develop urinary incontinence and other symptoms of an overactive bladder. Studies estimate that 76% of women over the age of 40 experience frequent nighttime urination. Sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a breathing disorder that involves a reduction or complete cessation of airflow due to a decrease or complete pause in breathing during sleep. This leads to decreased oxygen levels, disrupted sleep due to repeated awakenings, and other potentially serious health consequences. This cause is more common in men than in women. Restless Legs Syndrome: A condition in which a person has a need to move their limbs, especially legs when lying down, and is often associated with difficulty sleeping. Sleep Debt and Insomnia: Not everyone is affected equally by sleep deprivation. Sleep cycle studies have found that men and women can respond differently to sleep deprivation, and that women quickly develop "sleep debt" and suffer the consequences of not getting enough sleep. . At the same time, the unequal work and family responsibilities that women often experience in the home can make it less flexible to recover from sleep deprivation. In one study, 80% of women said that when they felt sleepy during the day, they accepted it and moved on. As such, insomnia can become complicated over time.

Common signs that you're not getting enough sleep include:
Feeling sleepy during the day, especially during quiet activities like sitting in a movie theater or driving a car Fall asleep within 5 minutes after lying down Short naps during waking hours (sleeping) Needs an alarm clock to wake up at the same time each day and has trouble getting out of bed each day Feeling groggy when waking up in the morning or all day. Mood swings, forgetfulness Difficulty concentrating on a task. Sleep more on days when you don't have to wake up at a certain time

Too little sleep can cause health problems such as:
Memory problems, forgetfulness, memory loss. Feeling depressed, lack of motivation to work, or irritable. Slower response time. A weakened immune system increases the likelihood of infections. Decreased tolerance, often affected by pain sensation. High risk of diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease or being overweight or obese. Lower sex drive Wrinkles and dark circles under your eyes Difficulty solving problems and making decisions Hallucinations appear. Additionally, the study found that driver fatigue caused about 83,000 auto crashes between 2005 and 2009 and 803 deaths in 2016, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. .

Sleep is essential to women's health, and while there are countless challenges to getting a good night's sleep, there are steps women can take to improve rest. Issues that include improving one's environment and sleep habits include:
Maintaining a constant sleep schedule with the same bedtime even on weekends or holidays. Limit alcohol and caffeine consumption before bed. Avoid using cell phones, tablets, or other devices for an hour or more before bedtime. Relax before going to bed. Create a cozy bedroom with supportive mattresses, quality bedding, a comfortable temperature, and minimal light and noise. You should exercise every day about 30 minutes before at least 5 hours before going to bed. If you find yourself having trouble falling asleep, get up and do something quiet, such as reading, until you feel drowsy. Journaling can also help you go to sleep, rather than forcing yourself to sleep. Make it a goal to not nap for more than 30 minutes so you don't wake up groggy or clutter up your nightly sleep schedule. Talk to your doctor about insomnia: Any medical condition can cause sleep problems. Insomnia can have many negative effects on your health, especially in women. Sleep hygiene measures such as changing living habits or sleeping habits can help women have better sleep.

References: webmd.com, sleepfoundation.org