
Fluctuating hormone levels during the menstrual cycle can cause women to feel more tired and need more sleep. Research shows that hormonal changes can directly impact the circadian rhythm, the body's internal clock that tells us when to sleep and when to stay awake. This can also affect the amount of melatonin produced, a hormone that helps regulate sleep.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Circadian rhythm | The 24-hour cycle that controls when you feel energised and tired |
| Hormones | Fluctuations in hormones like oestrogen and progesterone can affect sleep quality |
| Body temperature | Hormone level drops cause body temperature to spike, which can disrupt the circadian rhythm |
| Melatonin | Women with PMS have decreased levels of melatonin, which regulates sleep |
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What You'll Learn
- Hormone levels drop during the second half of the menstrual cycle, causing a body temperature spike that can disrupt sleep
- Circadian rhythms can become irregular during your period, affecting the amount of melatonin produced
- Low energy and tiredness are common period symptoms
- Research shows hormonal changes during your cycle may directly change your circadian rhythm
- Sleep debt increases during your period, making you feel more tired during the day

Hormone levels drop during the second half of the menstrual cycle, causing a body temperature spike that can disrupt sleep
Hormones like oestrogen and progesterone fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, which affects our quality of sleep. During the second half of the cycle, hormone levels tend to drop, causing a body temperature spike. This can disrupt the body's internal clock, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Research has shown that when our circadian rhythms become irregular, other bodily mechanisms can be affected, such as the amount of melatonin we produce. Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate sleep, and women who suffer from PMS have been found to have decreased levels of melatonin at night, which could explain sleep difficulties during this time.
Additionally, hormonal changes during the monthly cycle may directly impact our mood, which can also contribute to sleep disturbances. It is important to prioritise sleep during this time and practice good sleep hygiene, such as setting up a daily bedtime routine and keeping the bedroom dark, cool, and quiet.
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Circadian rhythms can become irregular during your period, affecting the amount of melatonin produced
During the second half of the menstrual cycle, hormone levels tend to drop, causing our body temperature to spike, which can mess with our circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is the body's internal clock that tells us when to sleep and when to stay awake. When our circadian rhythms become irregular, so can other bodily mechanisms like the amount of melatonin we produce. Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate sleep. One study revealed that women who suffer from PMS have a decreased level of melatonin at night, which could explain the difficulties in sleeping.
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Low energy and tiredness are common period symptoms
One study found that women who suffer from PMS have decreased levels of melatonin at night, which could explain why some people have difficulty sleeping during their period. If you're having sleep problems around the time of your period, try setting up a daily bedtime routine to stick to a regular sleep schedule. Keep your bedroom dark, cool, and quiet, and shut off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bed.
Additionally, losing extra sleep during your period can increase your sleep debt, making you feel even more tired. So, it's important to listen to your body and get the rest you need during this time.
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Research shows hormonal changes during your cycle may directly change your circadian rhythm
Research shows that hormonal changes during your cycle may directly change your circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is your internal body clock, the roughly 24-hour cycle that controls when you feel energised and tired. It's affected by everything from light exposure and meal times to your menstrual cycle.
During the second half of the menstrual cycle, hormone levels tend to drop, causing our body temperature to spike, which can mess with our circadian rhythm. The hormones that fluctuate during the menstrual cycle include oestrogen and progesterone.
Research also suggests that when our circadian rhythms become irregular, so can other bodily mechanisms like the amount of melatonin we produce, a hormone that helps regulate sleep. One study revealed that women who suffer from PMS have a decreased level of melatonin at night, which could explain the difficulties in sleeping.
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Sleep debt increases during your period, making you feel more tired during the day
Hormones like oestrogen and progesterone fluctuate throughout your menstrual cycle, which affects your quality of sleep. During the second half of your cycle, hormone levels tend to drop, causing your body temperature to spike, which can disrupt your sleep.
Additionally, when your circadian rhythm becomes irregular, other bodily mechanisms can be affected, such as the amount of melatonin you produce. Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate sleep, and women who suffer from PMS have been found to have decreased levels of melatonin at night, which could explain sleep difficulties during this time.
To help manage sleep debt during your period, try to establish a daily bedtime routine to stick to a regular sleep schedule. Keep your bedroom dark, cool, and quiet, and avoid electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bed.
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Frequently asked questions
Research shows that hormonal changes during your monthly cycle may directly change your circadian rhythm, which can impact your mood and energy levels.
The circadian rhythm is your internal body clock, the roughly 24-hour cycle that controls when you feel energised and tired. It's affected by everything from light exposure and meal times to your menstrual cycle.
Try to set up a daily bedtime routine so you're able to stick with a regular sleep schedule. Keep your bedroom dark, cool and quiet. That includes shutting off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bed.









































