The www.emedicinehealth.com site has a section devoted to sleep disorders among women.
Women are twice as likely as men to have difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep. Although younger women usually have sounder sleep with fewer disturbances, some women are prone to sleep problems throughout their reproductive years. Only recently has the medical community begun to focus on women's sleep disorders.
A number of factors may affect women’s sleep. Changes in hormonal levels, stress, illness, lifestyle, and sleep environment may impact sleep. Pregnancy- and menstrual-related hormonal fluctuations may affect sleep patterns, mood, and reaction to stress. Many women have premenstrual sleep disturbances like difficulty falling asleep, nighttime waking, difficulty waking up, and daytime sleepiness.
Psychosocial stress may threaten sleep more than hormonal changes. Many young women reduce sleep to cope with work and their roles as mothers and wives. They ignore fatigue and other effects of inadequate sleep. About 30% of employed women report sleep problems. Sleep problems are more common in women older than 40 years. Pregnancy may also disturb sleep.
Getting enough sleep improves job performance, concentration, social interaction, and general sense of well-being.
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