Exploring Sex and Gender Differences in Sleep Health

July 01, 2014

Significant gaps exist in research and public knowledge about sleep disorders in women, and there is a great need for scientists and clinicians to consider sex and gender differences in their sleep research to account for the unique biology of women. SWHR authored this peer-reviewed report, Exploring Sex and Gender Differences in Sleep Health, published in July 2014 in the Journal of Women’s Health, to summarize expert discussions from its roundtable event on the role of sex differences in sleep and the state of sleep research in women.

The report examines:

Sex and gender differences in clinical research
Biological basis for sex and gender differences in sleep
Sleep-related challenges specific to women
Effective sleep therapies in women

The report also offers expert recommendations to address some of the identified research needs in women’s sleep health. Ultimately, understanding sex differences in sleep and sleep disorders will allow for better diagnosis, treatment, and eventually prevention of these disorders in women.

Significant gaps exist in research and public knowledge about sleep disorders in women, and there is a great need for scientists and clinicians to consider sex and gender differences in their sleep research to account for the unique biology of women. SWHR authored this peer-reviewed report, Exploring Sex and Gender Differences in Sleep Health, published in July 2014 in the Journal of Women’s Health, to summarize expert discussions from its roundtable event on the role of sex differences in sleep and the state of sleep research in women.

The report examines:

Sex and gender differences in clinical research
Biological basis for sex and gender differences in sleep
Sleep-related challenges specific to women
Effective sleep therapies in women

The report also offers expert recommendations to address some of the identified research needs in women’s sleep health. Ultimately, understanding sex differences in sleep and sleep disorders will allow for better diagnosis, treatment, and eventually prevention of these disorders in women.

Clinician Event, Roundtable, SWHR Event

Gender Differences in Sleep

Hosted by SWHR

Healthy sleep can be especially elusive for women, and the barriers that they face in maintaining good sleep health are often misunderstood or overlooked. SWHR convened an interdisciplinary scientific roundtable focused on understanding the role of sex differences in sleep and the state of women’s sleep health research.

October 24, 2013 - October 25, 2013