Evidence shows that women enjoy longer and better quality sleep compared to men, however, women report more sleep difficulties. These disparities are exaggerated at times of changes in women's hormonal milieu, suggesting that there is a complex interplay between biological sex and various endogenous and exogenous parameters. Genetic variability, sensitivity to light, chronotype and gonadal hormones seem to be implicated in a way that renders women more susceptible to mental and physical health challenges compared to men. Moreover, because of the changes in the levels of gonadal hormones in adolescence and during perimenopause and menopause, there is a need for a more careful evaluation of this interplay. Traditionally, sleep research was conducted with mainly male participants, and this bias has resulted in a lag in our understanding of sleep physiology of female animals and women, and its potential implications for women’s health and sense of well-being.
At a time when some researchers call for a move away from discussing differences between men and women, others call for a need to investigate sex differences in sleep and circadian rhythms more systematically and explicitly. Is there a basis to pursue research on sleep and circadian rhythms across genders? Are there any robust sex differences in sleep and circadian rhythms and perhaps others that are less robust? In this special edition, the goal is to document and summarize sex differences in sleep and circadian rhythms to bring more clarity in this area and improve our understanding of where these differences may lie. Can we use this knowledge to help ameliorate or prevent sleep difficulties and their associated problems?
The manuscripts in this collection should summarize evidence from both animal and human research that addresses sex differences in sleep and circadian rhythms across the lifespan, with special attention to the time of adolescence and perimenopause/menopause. The manuscripts should discuss any differential responses to sleep deprivation and shift-work in terms of mental (depression, anxiety etc) and physical health (inflammation, cardiovascular health, obesity, etc) as well as differences in the prevalence of sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea. Ideally, the papers should convey existing evidence but also highlight potential gaps in our knowledge. Areas in which there is a discrepancy across studies or between animal and human research should also be addressed. Ultimately, these manuscripts should help improve understanding in this area and delineate future research to propel this field of study forward.
Evidence shows that women enjoy longer and better quality sleep compared to men, however, women report more sleep difficulties. These disparities are exaggerated at times of changes in women's hormonal milieu, suggesting that there is a complex interplay between biological sex and various endogenous and exogenous parameters. Genetic variability, sensitivity to light, chronotype and gonadal hormones seem to be implicated in a way that renders women more susceptible to mental and physical health challenges compared to men. Moreover, because of the changes in the levels of gonadal hormones in adolescence and during perimenopause and menopause, there is a need for a more careful evaluation of this interplay. Traditionally, sleep research was conducted with mainly male participants, and this bias has resulted in a lag in our understanding of sleep physiology of female animals and women, and its potential implications for women’s health and sense of well-being.
At a time when some researchers call for a move away from discussing differences between men and women, others call for a need to investigate sex differences in sleep and circadian rhythms more systematically and explicitly. Is there a basis to pursue research on sleep and circadian rhythms across genders? Are there any robust sex differences in sleep and circadian rhythms and perhaps others that are less robust? In this special edition, the goal is to document and summarize sex differences in sleep and circadian rhythms to bring more clarity in this area and improve our understanding of where these differences may lie. Can we use this knowledge to help ameliorate or prevent sleep difficulties and their associated problems?
The manuscripts in this collection should summarize evidence from both animal and human research that addresses sex differences in sleep and circadian rhythms across the lifespan, with special attention to the time of adolescence and perimenopause/menopause. The manuscripts should discuss any differential responses to sleep deprivation and shift-work in terms of mental (depression, anxiety etc) and physical health (inflammation, cardiovascular health, obesity, etc) as well as differences in the prevalence of sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea. Ideally, the papers should convey existing evidence but also highlight potential gaps in our knowledge. Areas in which there is a discrepancy across studies or between animal and human research should also be addressed. Ultimately, these manuscripts should help improve understanding in this area and delineate future research to propel this field of study forward.
