Research has found that women who have long-term sleep issues may have a harder time getting pregnant. Women with insomnia during pregnancy are at greater risk for gestational diabetes, preterm birth, depressive symptoms, longer and more painful labor and cesarean sections (C-sections).Sleep issues are more common for women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and during the perimenopausal and postmenopausal years because of the hormonal changes women experience at those times in their lives. In addition, decreased levels of estrogen during menopause have been associated with increased upper airway resistance, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.