Hormonal Changes in Girls Increase Their Risk of Insomnia

A study found that hormonal changes play a role in the development of insomnia (sleep disorder) after girls begin menstruation

A study was conducted by Dr. Eric O. Johnson and his colleagues found that hormonal changes play a role in the development of insomnia (sleep disorder) after girls begin menstruation.

The participants included more than 1,000 girls between the age group of 13- to 16 years old. It was surprising to find that about 11 % of them suffer from insomnia. Insomnia can be clinically defined as difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep at least four times per week for one month or longer.

On an average it was found that the teens had sleep disturbances around the age of 11. After menstrual periods girls were at more than twice the risk of insomnia as boys.

The findings were published in the journal Pediatrics. Johnson, a researcher with RTI International in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina also suggests another reason for girls to have an increased risk of insomnia after menstruation.

He said that it could be due to the physical changes that come with puberty, like breast development, that may contribute to sleep problems. There are two types of sleep problems one is to have problems with staying asleep and getting enough deep sleep due to physiological causes which is associated with menstruation.

The other is related to problems with falling asleep in the first place caused due to stress-related factors.

Another vital finding is that girls having higher risk of insomnia had higher rates of depression, which is often marked by sleep disturbances.

About 88 % showed such symptoms at the time of the study. Hence the research team concluded by saying that Insomnia is a common and chronic problem among adolescents.

This results in blunted mental acuity, poor performance in the school and poorer physical and emotional health. Hence this has to be prevented and proper treatment should be administered.