Los Angeles, California – A new study reveals that women are more likely to suffer from insomnia and experience lower sleep quality compared to men. On the other hand, men are more prone to sleep apnea, a potentially serious sleep disorder that involves interrupted breathing during sleep.
The research, conducted by experts at the University of Southampton, Stanford University, and Harvard University and published in Sleep Medicine Reviews, sheds light on the significant differences between how men and women experience and are affected by sleep-related disorders. These findings have important implications for the development of tailored treatments for individuals based on their gender.
According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans struggle with chronic sleep disorders, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that one in three adults in the United States experience sleep deprivation.
The study highlights that women tend to report lower sleep quality, often associated with anxiety and depressive disorders, despite exhibiting good levels of deep sleep. Women also commonly complain of insomnia more frequently than men, leading researchers to suggest potential differences in how each gender perceives and communicates their sleep issues.
In a separate study conducted by researchers at Lausanne University Hospital, it was discovered that women who reported waking up frequently throughout the night despite appearing to have had a good night’s sleep showed high-frequency brain activity in a specific brain region. This activity, not typically detected in standard sleep studies, caused these women to feel awake despite the majority of their brain being in a resting state.
Women also appear to have an earlier circadian rhythm compared to men, potentially contributing to sleep disruptions due to misalignments between their internal clock and external cues such as light and darkness. This earlier cycle corresponds with the secretion of hormones like melatonin, which signals the body that it is time to sleep.
Furthermore, men face a higher risk of developing sleep apnea due to the construction of their upper airway, leading to potential health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. This risk is compounded by factors like overeating, especially in cases of sleep deprivation. Shift workers, both men, and women, are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes due to their disrupted circadian rhythm, with men facing a particularly elevated risk.
Gender differences in sleep and circadian biology are crucial for understanding the varied experiences individuals may have with sleep disorders. Historically, biomedical research on sleep often excluded women due to perceived hormonal influences that could complicate study results. However, recent studies have highlighted distinct differences in sleep patterns between men and women, emphasizing the need for gender-specific approaches to treatment and care.