Happy international women's day!
Women differ from men on a variety of factors, one of which is sleep.
Sleep studies had long ignored the influence of gender on sleep patterns and disorders. However, in recent decades, these differences have become evident; therefore, today, it is essential that a unique look be given to women's sleep and consider the differences between it and men's sleep.
This year, I have decided to celebrate International Women's Day by reviewing those things that differentiate our sleep, mainly because I consider it essential to know its characteristics to treat it accordingly.
♥ Recovery capacity.
Women have better resistance when dealing with the effects of a bad night's sleep when it occurs sporadically or for a short period.One study found that we manage sleep loss better during the week than men, as we show better performance during the day and better recovery capacity.
♥ Female biological clock.
The circadian cycle (or internal biological clock) of women differs from that of men in two factors: first, it starts and ends earlier, which results in us going to bed and waking up earlier than men. Second, our circadian cycle is 6 minutes shorter; although it is not a big difference, this adds up over time, resulting in us waking up earlier and earlier.
♥ Hormones & Sleep.
Hormones in women significantly affect the quality of their sleep at various times in life, making us more prone to sleep problems. It has been proven that menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause are related to a more significant number of awakenings, problems falling asleep, and less deep sleep. All of this results in a decrease in the quality of sleep for women.
♥ Predisposition to sleep disorders.
Despite managing short periods of sleep deprivation better, we sleep worse than men and are more sensitive to the side effects of sleep disorders compared to our male counterparts.
Several studies have shown that women are more likely to develop sleep disorders and have a lower quality of sleep, regardless of age and stage of life. However, we are less likely to snore and have breathing problems during sleep (e.g. sleep apnea).
An example of this is the statistics on insomnia, which show that we are 40% more likely to develop this disorder than men. Additionally, this statistic increases with age: it is known that women after 45 report 1.7 times more insomnia symptoms than men.
Also, we tend to be more sensitive to the adverse effects of any sleep problem. For example, we tend to suffer more and greater intensity from the side effects of this disorder than men, even though we deal with these better.
In conclusion - and considering how vulnerable we are to sleep problems - women must take much more care of their sleep to avoid developing chronic disorders. Therefore, as Arianna Huffington [1] said… Women, on the way to the top, SLEEP!
Happy day to all & sweet dreams! ♥
Citations
[1] – Arianna Huffington (Fundadora del Huffington Post & CEO de Thrive Global).
References
Attarian, H.P. (2006). Sleep Disorders in Women a Guide to Practical Management. Totowa, NJ.: Humana Press Inc.
Chokroverty, S. (2009). Sleep disorders medicine : basic science, technical considerations, and clinical aspects. Philadelphia, USA.: Saunders/Elsevier.
Mallampalli, M.P. & Carter, C.L. (2014). Exploring Sex and Gender Differences in Sleep Health: A Society for Women’s Health Research Report. Journal of Women’s Health, 23, (7), 553 – 562. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2014.4816
Breus, M. (2011). Men and Women: Different when it comes to sleep. Recuperado el 7 de marzo de 2019 de https://thesleepdoctor.com