Why Women Have More Difficulty With Sleep—and What To Do

Forbes - Mar 10th, 2025
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The article highlights the significant disparities in sleep quality between men and women, focusing on how hormonal changes throughout a woman's life cycle, including menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, affect sleep patterns. Women tend to fall asleep faster and spend more time in the deep stages of sleep, which is restorative. However, issues such as hormonal fluctuations, night sweats, and hot flashes during menopause can disrupt sleep, leading to a range of health issues including anxiety, depression, and increased risk of chronic diseases.

In addition to personal health impacts, the story emphasizes broader societal issues such as sleep health equity and the disproportionate effect of poor sleep on people of color, the economically disadvantaged, and LGBTQ individuals. Factors such as discrimination, lack of access to healthcare, and environmental conditions in underserved neighborhoods contribute to these disparities. Dr. Carol Ash offers practical tips for improving sleep quality, suggesting consistent wake times, exposure to morning light, and relaxing bedtime routines as effective strategies. The article underscores the importance of addressing these issues during Sleep Awareness Week.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article effectively discusses the complex topic of sleep differences between men and women, providing a comprehensive overview of the physiological and societal factors involved. It is well-structured and engaging, making it accessible to a broad audience. However, the lack of direct citations and detailed sourcing for some claims slightly undermines its credibility. The article is timely and addresses issues of significant public interest, with the potential to influence public opinion and stimulate discussions about health equity. To enhance its impact, the inclusion of more actionable insights and policy recommendations would be beneficial.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story accurately describes several well-documented aspects of sleep differences between men and women. Claims such as women experiencing poorer sleep quality despite potentially longer sleep durations, and hormonal changes affecting sleep, are consistent with existing research. For instance, the statement that hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle impact sleep is supported by scientific studies. However, some claims, like the specific statistics from the National Health Interview Survey, require direct citation to verify their precision and context. Overall, the story presents factual information but could benefit from more direct sourcing to ensure all claims are verifiable.

7
Balance

The article provides a balanced view of the differences in sleep patterns between men and women, addressing both physiological and societal factors. It discusses various stages of life and their impact on sleep, such as puberty, menstruation, and menopause for women, and sleep apnea for men. However, while it highlights the challenges women face, it could include more on the positive aspects or coping strategies beyond the issues. Additionally, while it mentions disparities in sleep health among marginalized groups, it could delve deeper into these perspectives to provide a more comprehensive view.

8
Clarity

The article is well-organized and presents information in a clear and logical manner. It effectively uses subheadings and quotes to break down complex information into digestible sections. The language is straightforward and accessible, making it easy for readers to understand the key points about sleep differences and challenges. However, the inclusion of more detailed explanations for certain terms and concepts, such as sleep architecture, could enhance clarity further.

6
Source quality

The article references credible sources such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and insights from a board-certified sleep specialist. However, it lacks direct citations and specific studies to back up some of the claims, which would enhance the reliability of the information presented. The inclusion of direct quotes and data from recognized authorities in the field is a strength, but the lack of detailed attribution for some statistics and claims slightly diminishes source quality.

5
Transparency

The article provides a general overview of the factors affecting sleep but lacks detailed explanations of the methodologies or sources behind the statistics and claims. While it includes expert opinions, the basis for some of the health claims and data points is not fully transparent, which could affect the reader's ability to assess the impartiality and reliability of the information. Greater transparency in sourcing and methodology would improve the article's credibility.

Sources

  1. https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/sleep-deprivation-or-burnout
  2. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/21677026241230458
  3. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/insomnia/treatment/what-do-when-you-cant-sleep
  4. https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.27883
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560720/