The Matt Walker Podcast

Ask Me Anything Part 19: The Sleep Science of Her

8 snips
Jun 9, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of sleep science as experts discuss how women’s sleep patterns differ from men's. Discover the unique challenges faced during pregnancy, including hormonal shifts and disturbances. The conversation also highlights the impact of shift work on health, linking night shifts to potential cancer risks. Hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle and menopause further complicate sleep quality, with insights into effective management strategies. This engaging exploration unveils the intricate relationship between gender, hormones, and restorative sleep.
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INSIGHT

Female Sleep Differs from Male Sleep

  • Women generally sleep longer and with better quality than men, averaging about 20 to 40 minutes more sleep per night.
  • Females have more deep sleep early in the night and experience REM sleep onset about 10 minutes earlier than males.
INSIGHT

Deep Sleep Counters Female Anxiety

  • The higher demand for deep sleep in females may be a response to greater daily accumulated sleepiness.
  • Deep sleep helps reduce anxiety, which females experience at higher rates than males.
INSIGHT

Night Shift Raises Cancer Risk

  • Night shift work is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers like breast and skin cancer, especially in women.
  • The risk of breast cancer increases by about 3.3% for every three to four years of night shift work.
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