Background & Aims

The menstrual cycle is an important but understudied factor that can influence sleep (1,2). There are physiological, psychological and sociocultural factors occurring the peri-menstrual phase that can disrupt sleep patterns and behaviors. Most studies have focused on adult females, and research on adolescents remains limited (3-6). Furthermore, narrative reviews on the menstrual cycle and sleep have primarily evaluated adult populations (1-2, 7). Given the well-documented negative impact of disrupted sleep on health outcomes, understanding changes in sleep wake patterns across the menstrual cycle is critically needed, particularly during the early years after menarche through to young adulthood. The objective of this scoping review is to map the existing literature on sleep and menstrual health in adolescent and young adult females, examine the subjective and objective sleep assessment tools utilized, and identify gaps in knowledge.

Methods

We will conduct this scoping review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses – Scoping Review Extension guidelines (8). The protocol is registered with Open Science Framework on 6 December 2023. Systematic searches of the following scientific databases CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, PubMed, and Web of Science were performed to include articles in English, and the search criteria will include dates from the inception of databases to 3 November 2023.

Results

Following removal of duplicates, here were 5707 potentially eligible articles identified. Articles will be screened, and data will be extracted using a standardized extraction form on Covidence. A search decision flow chart will present the number of studies identified, excluded, and included. We will present descriptive analyses of the included studies, in addition to tabulated results, including sleep parameters assessed and frequency of a particular sleep measurement tool used. The collation of results will also involve identifying and describing themes and concepts.

Conclusions

This scoping review will provide insight on existing data regarding sleep patterns and behaviors in adolescent and young adult females, as it relates to the menstrual cycle. Findings will serve to identify areas for future investigations, with the broader goal of understanding the bidirectional influences between the menstrual cycle and sleep, to enhance health outcomes in females.

References

1.Baker, F. C. & Lee, K. A. Menstrual Cycle Effects on Sleep. Sleep Med Clin 17, 283-294 (2022). https://doi.org:10.1016/j.jsmc.2022.02.004
2.Jeon, B. & Baek, J. Menstrual disturbances and its association with sleep disturbances: a systematic review. BMC Womens Health 23, 470 (2023). https://doi.org:10.1186/s12905-023-02629-0
3.Liu, X., Chen, H., Liu, Z. Z., Fan, F. & Jia, C. X. Early Menarche and Menstrual Problems Are Associated with Sleep Disturbance in a Large Sample of Chinese Adolescent Girls. Sleep 40 (2017). https://doi.org:10.1093/sleep/zsx107
4.Nam, G. E., Han, K. & Lee, G. Association between sleep duration and menstrual cycle irregularity in Korean female adolescents. Sleep Med 35, 62-66 (2017). https://doi.org:10.1016/j.sleep.2017.04.009
5.Wang, Z. Y., Liu, Z. Z., Jia, C. X. & Liu, X. Age at menarche, menstrual problems, and daytime sleepiness in Chinese adolescent girls. Sleep 42 (2019). https://doi.org:10.1093/sleep/zsz061
6.He, H. et al. Sleep Status and Menstrual Problems among Chinese Young Females. Biomed Res Int 2021, 1549712 (2021). https://doi.org:10.1155/2021/1549712
7.Alzueta, E. B., F. C. The Menstrual Cycle and Sleep. . Sleep Medicine Clinics 18, 14 (2023). https://doi.org:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsmc.2023.06.003
8.Tricco, A. C. et al. PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation. Ann Intern Med 169, 467-473 (2018). https://doi.org:10.7326/M18-0850

Presenting Author

See Wan Tham

Poster Authors

See Wan Tham

MD

University of Washington School of Medicine

Lead Author

E-mail

Bethany Pester PhD

University of Washington School of Medicine

Lead Author

E-mail

Tonya Palermo

Tonya Palermo

Lead Author

E-mail

Elisabeth Nylander MS BA

Seattle Children's Hospital

Lead Author

E-mail

Rui Li

Seattle Children's Research Institute

Lead Author

E-mail

Topics

  • Evidence, Clinical Trials, Systematic Review, Guidelines, and Implementation Science