How Menstruation Affects Your Sleep
Do you struggle to get a good night’s sleep when you are on your period? Do you often find yourself experiencing interrupted sleep throughout the night when it is your time of the month? Menstruation affects multiple areas of your body, including your sleep. Here are just a few ways that this cycle can affect your sleep quality.
Hormone Fluctuations
During your menstruation cycle, you will experience rapid fluctuations of hormones. Some of these more rapid changes will occur right before your period begins. Unfortunately, these hormone changes play a major role in the quality of sleep you receive and it is one reason why you may experience worse sleep during certain times of your cycle.
For example, according to the Sleep Foundation, women report experiencing the lowest quality of sleep three days before menstruating and then the first four days of their period.
Uncomfortable Symptoms
Your period can bring with it a plethora of symptoms that make you uncomfortable and miserable. These feelings can make it difficult to get comfortable and fall asleep at night. When symptoms become worse, it can also cause you to wake up in the night, interrupting your sleep cycles. A few of these uncomfortable symptoms include:
- Cramps
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Headaches
- Tender or painful breasts
Before and during your period, you should strive to make yourself as comfortable as possible. You want to wear loose clothing, such as Cool-Jams pajamas for women with moisture-wicking features. Cool bedding can also prevent you from overheating. Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and other food items will help your body more easily relax and will allow you to fall asleep more quickly.
Night Sweats
Due to fluctuating hormones, you may experience hot flashes and night sweats while on your period. This condition most commonly affects women who are in the 40s and older and are nearing menopause. Night sweats are bothersome and can cause you to wake up wet and uncomfortable. It can interrupt your sleep and result in restless nights.
If you are frequently experiencing night sweats, particularly around your period, you will want to be mindful of the temperature in your bedroom. Experts suggest the ideal temperature is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, you will want to wear loose pajamas that are comfortable and offer moisture-wicking capabilities.
Cool-Jam’s Moisture-Wicking Scoop Neck Nightshirt, for example, is lightweight and dries four times faster than cotton. Its wicking technology will absorb moisture and eliminate body odor-causing bacteria. It also comes in a variety of sizes and colors so you will have one for every night before and during your period.
No matter the changes your body may be experiencing, you deserve to be comfortable and cool all night long. At Cool-Jams, we offer a large selection of cool pajamas and loungewear to help you receive excellent sleep. Don’t forget to check out our cool bedding including pillows, sheets, and mattress covers to help you better regulate nighttime temperatures.