Women’s health | How sleep evolves through each stage of life
Across the different stages of life, women may experience sleep difficulties that affect their overall wellbeing, energy levels and, in many cases, their day to day lives at work.
Developing a clearer understanding of these challenges helps us acknowledge lived experiences, encourage open discussion and promote solutions adapted to women’s needs, from adolescence through postmenopause.
In this video, Maude Bouchard, neuropsychologist at HALEO, and Eveline Keable, Senior Director, Talent and Culture at iA Financial Group, explain how sleep affects women’s health at different stages of their lives and how it can become a driver of wellbeing on both a personal and professional level.
Sleep as it evolves through the stages of life
Women’s sleep health unfolds across four major periods of life, each marked by distinct hormonal changes. Depending on age and life transitions, sleep related effects can take very different forms.
Childhood and adolescence
Beginning at puberty, hormonal changes may heighten the risk of mood disturbances and insomnia. This underscores the importance of early sleep education during this period to encourage the development of healthy and long-lasting habits.
Reproductive years
Hormonal variations associated with the menstrual cycle may influence sleep quality throughout the month. Similarly, pregnancy is also a period of increased risk for sleep disturbances, including restless legs syndrome.
Perimenopause and menopause
Perimenopause and menopause are key transition periods. Most women report dealing with sleep issues during these phases, often linked to reduced natural melatonin production, the hormone that helps initiate sleep. Nighttime hot flashes may also disrupt sleep.
For some women, these changes lead to more disrupted nights or greater difficulty falling asleep.
Postmenopause
During postmenopause, some women continue to experience persistent sleep disturbances, which may be compounded by age related changes.
Impacts on health and working life
Women spend up to one third to one half of their lives in perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause. When sleep problems persist, they can affect concentration, mood, energy and work–life balance.
While these effects may be subtle, they can nevertheless lead to real challenges in everyday life.
Sleep as a driver of overall health
Sleep fits within a comprehensive view of health, in interaction with physical, mental, social and financial dimensions. While healthy daily habits and proper sleep hygiene are important, they are not always enough.
When insomnia becomes chronic, adapted approaches including cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can help improve sleep quality in a lasting way.
If you are covered by a group insurance plan, some sleep related health support services may be reimbursable, depending on your plan.
Key takeaways
- Sleep issues change over the course of a woman’s life.
- Hormonal shifts affect sleep quality, especially in perimenopause and menopause.
- Sleep disturbances can have concrete impacts on health and work life.
- A comprehensive approach to health that includes sleep helps support better balance.
- At each life stage, solutions are available to help you cope with sleep disorders. Depending on your circumstances, some services may be covered by a group insurance plan.