Haven’t we been saying for ages women’s lives are seriously disrupted every month of the year with our emotions left in pieces? Yes, by periods. Frankly I’m surprised it’s taken so long for researchers to turn their attention to effects of menstruation. Researchers at East Anglia University have reported women experience disruptions in their sleep patterns with heightened feelings of anger in the days leading up to their period.
Admittedly it does shed new light on the tricky relationship between women’s menstrual cycles, emotions, and sleep patterns. Dr Jo Bower, of UEA, admits: “Our research provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between menstrual cycles, emotions and sleep, and the impact of hormonal fluctuations on women’s wellbeing.” And she claims: “By understanding how these factors interact, we can better address the unique needs of women in terms of sleep health and emotional wellbeing.
” Researchers studied 51 healthy women aged between 18 and 35, who had regular periods and weren’t taking hormonal contraception who completed daily reports on their sleep and emotions. They wore actiwatches (a sleep/wake tracking watch) to record sleep across two menstrual months. There were compelling associations between menstrual phases, emotional states, and sleep quality.
There are three key findings: women experience disturbed sleep patterns in the days before and during their period (peri-menstrual phase), spending more time awake at n.