Do Women Need More Sleep Than Men? Here’s the Science

Sleep deprivation is a common problem that people face today. If a person is not getting enough sleep it can affect their mood, energy levels and productivity. It is advised for an adult to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep. Women in fact need more sleep compared to men. It is due to their monthly hormonal cycle changes.

The hormonal fluctuations of women affect their energy levels throughout their monthly cycle. The levels of estrogen and progesterone increase and decrease and this impacts directly on energy, mood and sleep.
As these hormones vary the body might become more tired, restless, or uncomfortable. This might make it harder to fall asleep or the body may even need more sleep. Even small hormonal changes can alter the sleep cycle.

• Women’s bodies go through hormonal changes throughout the month. At such stages in the cycle their body might need more sleep.
• During the menstruation period and luteal phase, a woman’s body tends to be more lethargic so they need more sleep.
• On the other hand, while the ovulation and follicular phase energy levels are comparatively high, they might not need extra sleep.

The body goes through major changes during pregnancy.
The body spends more energy in developing the baby so it needs more rest during pregnancy. Higher levels of progesterone promote sleepiness as well. In the first three trimesters especially there is more need of sleep.
Hormonal changes naturally make them require rest. Women should prioritize their sleep during different stages of the hormonal cycle.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it true that females need more sleep than males?
   Some studies suggest that females may need a little more sleep than males because their brains handle more multitasking and hormonal changes. The difference is small and sleep needs mostly depend on the individual.
2. Why do women wake up more tired than men?
   Women often wake up more tired because hormonal shifts, multitasking stress, and lighter sleep patterns can reduce sleep quality. They may also experience more sleep disruptions due to anxiety, menstrual cycles or daily mental load.
3. How many hours of sleep does a woman's body need?
   Most women need around 7 to 9 hours of sleep, but some may feel their best with slightly more, close to 9 to 10 hours, because hormonal cycles can increase the body’s need for rest.