It seems that as menstruators we can never really catch a break! Our hormones are always up to something, and if we’re not bleeding, our body is preparing for the next bleed. Well, to make things even more ‘fun’ and complicated the menstrual cycle has a heavy influence on your sleeping patterns too! Hormones like progesterone which are key in the menstrual cycle are also responsible for regulating sleep. So just before the period progesterone drops, which means sleep will more than likely be disturbed. In this blog post we take a look at three ways your menstrual cycle influences your sleep.
Body temperature increases:
During the menstrual cycle, after ovulation your body’s temperature rises which can cause night sweats and sleep disturbances.
PMS can be a BIG sleep disruptor:
Menstruators who experience severe PMS can have less hours of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which is the sleep state where dreams take place and it helps the brain function. When experiencing PMS some menstruators can have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. This is due to decreased levels of melatonin which is the hormone that’s responsible for sleep. The impact that PMS has on moods and mood changes can also affect sleep. PMS can cause heightened anxiety for example, and if you’ve ever experienced anxiety when it’s bed time you know falling asleep can sometimes feel like an impossible task.
When menstruating:
Pain, discomfort, leaks and a heavy flow are all responsible for losing sleep or a restless night. Trying to get a good night’s rest when it feels like your insides are on fire is excruciating, not only physically but mentally and emotionally too. However, if the pain doesn’t go away with standard pain medication, and it’s keeping you up often (more than one cycle) then you should reach out to a medical professional. If you experience consistent pain to the point where sleep isn’t even an option, the best thing to do is get proper medical treatment and advice.
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