Sleep Medicine Clinics · Mar 23, 2026

Current Evidence on Sleep and Women's Mental Health

By Ye X, Wing YK, Chen S et al.

Women show a disproportionately higher prevalence in several sleep disorders and mental health problems. This review highlights how women-specific biological and psychosocial characteristics may not only contribute to the onset of sleep disorders but also shape the strength and direction of their associations. Focusing on insomnia, restless legs syndrome, nightmare, and obstructive sleep apnea, we summarize evidence on sex differences in prevalence, risk factors, and mental health correlates across the female lifespan. Understanding these is essential for developing targeted sleep-focused approaches to improve mental health in women.

doi.org/10.1016/j.jsmc.2026.02.006PubMed 42161454Populations