Menstrual regularity and bleeding are associated with sleep duration, sleep quality, and fatigue in a community sample

First published: August 17, 2021 https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13434

Commentary

This study was to determine the association between the two in a community sample and was investigating the association between menstruation and sleep in women.

Data were collected from a community-based sample of 579 menstruating women, adults aged 22-60 years, who participated in the Sleep and Health Activity, Diet, Environment, and Socialization (SHADES) study.

Participants were asked, "How regular is your period?" and were given the options of "very regular," "almost regular," "fairly regular," and "irregular.

They were also asked, "How much bleeding do you usually experience during your period?" and the response options were "very heavy," "heavy," "medium," "light," and "very light.

These were rated as normal outcomes.

Sleep-related predictors included sleep duration (in hours, ≤6 [short], 7-9 [normal], ≥9 [long]), Insomnia Severity Index score, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score, Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, and Fatigue Severity Scale.

 Those with greater cycle irregularity (p = 0.026, compared to normal sleep) will have more. (Odds ratio = 1.44, p = 0.031)

From these, the higher the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score, the greater the cycle irregularity, (odds ratio = 1.05, p = 0.022) the higher the score on the malaise severity scale, the more bleeding (odds ratio = 1.02, p = 0.003) and the greater the cycle irregularity. (Odds ratio = 1.02, p = 0.008)

Longer sleep, the Insomnia Severity Index, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were not associated with either outcome.

These results indicate that short sleep duration, poor sleep quality, fatigue, stress, and depression are associated with heavy bleeding and irregular menstrual cycles.