--- title: How does sleep change across your menstrual cycle? | Niyora description: Sleep was best during the mid-to-late follicular phase (when estrogen is rising) compared to menstruation and the luteal phase. This is fairly clear evidence url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/how-do-phases-of-the-menstrual-cycle-affect-sleep-a-polysomnographic-study-of-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How does sleep change across your menstrual cycle? Cohort study, 2024 # How does sleep change across your menstrual cycle? Sleep was best during the mid-to-late follicular phase (when estrogen is rising) compared to menstruation and the luteal phase. This is fairly clear evidence from 96 women. Moderate study design 96 women with sleep monitoring at three different menstrual cycle phases ## What they did 96 women had one night of sleep monitored with polysomnography (brain and body monitoring) during three different cycle phases: menstruation, mid-to-late follicular phase, and luteal phase. They completed questionnaires on sleep quality, mood, and fatigue. Blood tests measured inflammation markers. ## What they found Sleep efficiency was highest in the mid-to-late follicular phase (89.9%) compared to menstrual (83.0%) and luteal (83.7%) phases. Women fell asleep faster in the mid-to-late follicular phase (7.1 minutes) versus menstrual (22.3 minutes) and luteal (15.9 minutes) phases. No differences were found in inflammation markers, daytime sleepiness, anxiety, depression, or quality of life. ## What it means for you Your sleep is likely to be better in the mid-to-late part of your cycle when estrogen is higher. However, this was based on a single night of monitored sleep per woman, so it may not reflect your typical sleep patterns. 96 women 89.9% sleep efficiency in follicular phase 83.0% sleep efficiency in menstrual phase ## About the study Original title How do phases of the menstrual cycle affect sleep? A polysomnographic study of the EPISONO database Authors Ishikura IA, Moysés-Oliveira M, Fernandes GL et al. Journal Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung Year 2024 Study design Cohort study Participants 96 What was tested Sleep monitoring (polysomnography) during different menstrual cycle phases Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s11325-024-02996-4](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-024-02996-4) ## Topics [Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Sleep and insomnia](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sleep/)[Fatigue and energy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-fatigue/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/) 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 Survey study, 2025 How do personality traits like neuroticism affect PMS severity and sexual satisfaction? Survey study, 2024 Are menstrual cycle symptoms related to sleep problems and mental health in female athletes? Survey study, 2022 What factors are associated with irregular menstrual cycles and how do irregular cycles affect other symptoms? Study, 2022 Does having COVID-19 affect premenstrual syndrome symptoms? Study, 2012 Do women with severe PMS have poor sleep quality? Survey study, 2025 Does menstruation affect how well women sleep? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗