The menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause all rob women of precious sleep. The poll was released today. During all life cycle stages, insomnia, or difficulty falling and staying asleep, is a significant problem. A whopping 79 percent of women said their sleep is more disturbed during pregnancy than at other times. Many pregnant women, says the study, make up for their sleep deficits by napping.
Pregnant women are almost twice as likely to be sleepy during the day than other women.
Pregnant women aren't the only nappers. Four in ten women who are not pregnant also take naps frequently. On average, hot flashes occurred three days per week and interfered with sleep five days per month. These days, more than one-third of American women are menopausal. He is also director of research and chief of sleep at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.