Do Women Need More Sleep Than Men?

Everyone needs and deserves a good night’s sleep. But do some people really need more than others?

While both men and women generally require similar amounts of sleep, emerging research suggests that women may experience sleep disruptions more frequently than men. This could be due to a combination of biological, hormonal, and social factors that influence their sleep patterns.

Understanding these differences is crucial for addressing sleep-related health issues and optimizing sleep hygiene for both sexes, ensuring that individuals of all genders receive the rest they need for overall well-being.

Current research suggests that women need at least 7-9 hours of sleep every night. In fact, research suggests that women who get more than 9 hours of sleep may be more susceptible to obesity and other health issues.

Despite 7-9 being the recommended amount of sleep, research has found that about 30% of adults are not getting enough sleep, as their average sleep duration falls outside the recommended 7-9 hours per night.

Additionally, even among those who typically get 7-9 hours of sleep on average, around 40% of nights still fall outside this range. Only 15% of participants manage to sleep between 7 and 9 hours on at least 5 nights per week, suggesting a significant portion of the population is not consistently meeting the recommended sleep duration.

The study also found that female participants had significantly longer sleep durations than male participants, although they still faced challenges in consistently meeting the recommended sleep guidelines.

Although men and women appear to need similar amounts of sleep, research has found that hormonal differences in women, particularly related to oestradiol, can impact sleep quality and efficiency.

These hormones influence sleep consolidation and sleep-wake cycles, contributing to differences in sleep patterns during various life stages, such as:

• puberty
• menstruation
• pregnancy
• perimenopause
• menopause

Research suggests that hormonal fluctuations throughout different life stages can significantly affect sleep. For example, menstruation, particularly during the premenstrual phase, can make it difficult to get a good night’s rest.

• fatigue
• drowsiness
• frequent urination (causing lots of nighttime trips to the bathroom)
• RLS
• breathing concerns

Although men and women appear to need similar amounts of sleep, research has found that hormonal differences in

A 2020 study found that women are 58% more likely to experience insomnia compared to men, which might lead them to get some extra sleep in an attempt to make up for hours of tossing and turning.

Research has found that women are more likely to lose sleep than men after having a baby. The study found that new mothers experience a 42-minute greater decline in sleep than new fathers.

Your sleep needs, like your body, change as you age due to factors like hormones, lifestyle habits, and medical conditions.

These are general sleep guidelines for different age groups, regardless of sex and gender, according to the CDC:

• birth to 3 months: 14 to 17 hours
• 4 to 11 months: 12 to 16 hours
• 1 to 2 years: 11 to 14 hours
• 3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours
• 6 to 12 years: 9 to 12 hours
• 13 to 18 years: 8 to 10 hours
• 18 to 64 years: 7 to 9 hours
• 65 years and older: 7 to 8 hours

While men and women generally require similar amounts of sleep, women’s sleep patterns are often influenced by hormonal fluctuations throughout different life stages, such as menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.

These hormonal changes can lead to sleep disturbances, making women more prone to conditions like insomnia and sleep apnea.

Additionally, social and lifestyle factors, such as caregiving responsibilities, can further impact their sleep quality and duration. Understanding these differences is essential for promoting better sleep hygiene and ensuring that both men and women get the restorative rest they need to maintain overall health and well-being.

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a Canada-based freelance writer and author who has written extensively on all things health and lifestyle for more than a decade. When she’s not holed-up in her writing shed researching an article or off interviewing health professionals, she can be found frolicking around her beach town with husband and dogs in tow or splashing about the lake trying to master the stand-up paddle board.