---
title: Does poor sleep and period problems affect teen mental health?
description: Yes. Teenagers with irregular periods, PMS, or menstrual pain had more anxiety and sadness, especially those sleeping less or going to bed later.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-50-menstruation-problems-and-sleep-interactions-implications-for-the-mental-2024/
---

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- Does poor sleep and period problems affect teen mental health?

Survey study, 2024

# Does poor sleep and period problems affect teen mental health?

Yes. Teenagers with irregular periods, PMS, or menstrual pain had more anxiety and sadness, especially those sleeping less or going to bed later.

 Moderate study design

2,814 postmenarcheal teenage girls in the ABCD Study, ages 12-15

## What they did

Analyzed data from 2,814 teenage girls (mean age 13, range 12-15) from the ABCD Study, measuring their sleep patterns and period characteristics with questionnaires, then looking at anxiety and sadness levels.

## What they found

Girls with cycle irregularity, premenstrual symptoms, longer periods, heavier flow, and menstrual pain all had significantly higher anxiety and sadness (p < 0.01). Sleep made this worse. Those with short sleep plus menstrual pain or heavy flow had particularly high anxiety and sadness.

## What it means for you

Sleep and period problems together affect teen mental health. Managing both sleep and period symptoms might help reduce teen anxiety and depression. The study measured at one point in time, so causation is not clear.

2,814

adolescent girls

13.03

mean age in years

## About the study

Original title A - 50 Menstruation Problems and Sleep Interactions: Implications for the Mental Health of Adolescent Females Authors Richa D Patel, Naomi Edwards, Natalie Totah et al. Journal Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology Year 2024 Study design Survey study Participants 2,814 What was tested menstrual patterns and sleep duration Read the paper [doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acae067.064](https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acae067.064)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Sleep and insomnia](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sleep/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Cohort study, 2024

Is there a link between sleep and menstrual problems in teenage girls?

Survey study, 2019

What lifestyle and sleep habits are linked to PMS in teenage girls?

Survey study, 2017

Does painful menstruation affect adolescent girls' mood, emotions, sleep, and thinking?

Survey study, 2024

What factors are linked to PMDD in female university students?

Survey study, 2022

How common is PMS in university students and what helps them cope with symptoms?

Survey study, 2005

Does being a morning or evening person affect premenstrual symptoms?

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