
Women may need more sleep than men, with some sources suggesting that they need between nine and ten hours of sleep a night. Sleep studies and experts have found that the average female adult gets 7.5-8 hours of sleep a night, while the average male adult sleeps for 7-7.5 hours. However, the difference in sleep needs between men and women is relatively small, with one source suggesting it is closer to 10 to 15 minutes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recommended sleep for women | 7-9 hours |
| Average sleep for women | 7.5-8 hours |
| Recommended sleep for men | 7-8 hours |
| Average sleep for men | 7-7.5 hours |
| Difference between women and men | 10-15 minutes |
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What You'll Learn

Women may need more sleep than men
TikTok has popularised the idea that women need nine to ten hours of sleep. In one video, a wellness podcaster concluded that if studies on optimal sleep duration had been conducted on women, they would have found that women need nine to ten hours of sleep, not the seven to eight hours that men need. However, according to an associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine, the difference in sleep needs between men and women is closer to 10 to 15 minutes. A 2013 survey of adults in the U.S. found that on average, women reported spending 11 minutes longer in bed each day than men. The CDC recommends that adults get seven or more hours of sleep a night, and the majority of people need somewhere between seven to nine hours, regardless of their sex or gender.
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Sleep studies and experts
Sara Nowakowski, an associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine, supports the idea that women need slightly more sleep than men, though she estimates the difference to be closer to 10 to 15 minutes. The CDC recommends that adults get seven or more hours of sleep a night, and Nowakowski states that the majority of people need somewhere between seven to nine hours, regardless of their sex or gender. This is supported by Kin M. Yuen, MD, MS, a sleep medicine specialist at UCSF Health, who notes that the pattern of women needing more sleep than men often continues into adulthood.
The average female adult gets 7.5-8 hours of sleep a night, while the average male adult sleeps for 7-7.5 hours. However, it is important to note that sleep needs vary between individuals for many reasons, including genetics and age.
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TikTok's take on women's sleep needs
TikTok has become a hub for discussions around women's sleep needs, with users sharing their thoughts and experiences on the topic. The platform has seen a range of opinions and insights emerge, with some users advocating for the idea that women require significantly more sleep than men.
Wellness podcaster Rebecca Leigh, for example, has gone viral on TikTok with her take on the issue. She argues that existing sleep studies, which recommend seven to eight hours of sleep for adults, are based solely on data from men. Leigh contends that if similar studies were conducted on women, the optimal sleep range for females would likely be nine to ten hours. This perspective has resonated with many women on the platform, who have shared their own experiences of feeling constantly tired and wondering if their sleep needs are being adequately addressed.
While the exact amount of sleep required may vary between individuals due to factors such as genetics and age, research does suggest that women may benefit from slightly more sleep than men. Sleep medicine specialist Kin M. Yuen notes that this trend can be observed even in infancy, with female infants tending to sleep more than their male counterparts. This pattern often continues into adulthood, with the average female adult sleeping for 7.5-8 hours per night, compared to 7-7.5 hours for the average male adult.
However, it is important to note that the data on this topic is not entirely clear-cut. The existing research is primarily based on surveys and self-reported sleep diaries, which may not provide a fully objective picture. Nonetheless, the discussion on TikTok has sparked a broader conversation about the potential gender disparities in sleep needs and the importance of considering these factors in sleep studies.
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Sleep needs vary between individuals
TikTok has been a platform for the notion that women need nine to ten hours of sleep, with some users claiming that this is because previous studies on optimal sleep duration only included men. However, sleep experts generally recommend that adults get seven or more hours of sleep a night, regardless of their sex or gender.
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Sleep recommendations for adults
Sleep requirements vary between individuals, depending on factors such as genetics and age. However, the CDC recommends that adults get seven or more hours of sleep per night. Most people need between seven and nine hours of sleep, regardless of their sex or gender. The average female adult gets 7.5-8 hours of sleep a night, while the average male adult sleeps for 7-7.5 hours.
Some sources suggest that women may need slightly more sleep than men, with one sleep medicine specialist noting that this pattern often continues into adulthood. However, the data on this topic is not entirely clear, as it is primarily based on surveys or self-reported sleep diaries, which may not be entirely objective.
TikTok has popularised the idea that women need nine to ten hours of sleep, with some users claiming that this explains why they always feel tired. While there may be some truth to this, it is important to remember that individual sleep needs can vary, and the recommended range of seven to nine hours of sleep for adults still applies.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the CDC, adults should get seven or more hours of sleep a night. However, some sources suggest that women may need slightly more sleep than men, with the recommended goal for women being seven to nine hours.
Research suggests that women may require more sleep than men at various life stages. Kin M. Yuen, a sleep medicine specialist at UCSF Health, notes that female infants spend more time asleep than male infants, and this pattern often continues into adulthood.
While the exact amount is unclear, studies suggest that women sleep between 10 to 15 minutes longer than men. A 2013 survey of adults in the U.S. found that women reported spending 11 minutes longer in bed each day than men.











































