Women & sleep: Do we really need more rest than men do?

Hi everyone, how are you doing today?

We often hear that “women need more sleep than men”, but is that really true? According to research, it might be… but the reasons are more complex than just biology.

💬 Hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause can deeply affect sleep quality. Night sweats, restless legs, anxiety, and insomnia are just a few challenges that can make sleep harder and less restorative.

🧠 On top of that, mental load, caregiving responsibilities, and emotional strain, often carried more by women, can interfere with both falling and staying asleep.

Even though studies suggest women might sleep slightly longer on average, that sleep is often lighter or more interrupted. In other words, we may be getting more time in bed, but not always more rest.

So let’s open up this conversation 👇

Do you feel like you need more sleep than your partner or male peers?

How have different life stages, like menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, affected your sleep?

What helps you sleep better when your body or mind is working against you?

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Sleep is essential for health, healing, and emotional balance. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone, and your experience is valid.

Take gentle care,

Somya from the Carenity team 🌼