Does Insomnia Affect Women More Than Men? September 16, 2026 Does Insomnia Affect Women More Than Men? Anyone can experience insomnia, but research suggests women may be more likely to struggle with ongoing sleep problems than men. Australian research has found differences in both insomnia symptoms and prevalence between the sexes, with biological changes and everyday responsibilities potentially playing a role. What does the Australian research show? A national Australian study of 2,044 adults found that chronic difficulties falling or staying asleep combined with daytime symptoms were significantly more common in women than men, affecting 41.5% of women compared with 35.3% of men.1 When researchers estimated insomnia disorder among participants with adequate opportunity to sleep and without frequent pain disrupting their sleep, prevalence was 25.2% in women and 21.1% in men.1 Women were also significantly more likely to report difficulty falling asleep and chronic daytime symptoms.1 Why might women experience more insomnia? There is unlikely to be a single explanation. Biological differences between women and men can influence sleep patterns, while hormonal changes throughout a woman's life may contribute to sleep disruption.2 Differences in sleep begin to emerge around puberty, when levels of hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone begin changing. Throughout adulthood, hormonal fluctuations associated with the menstrual cycle can affect how well some women sleep. Pregnancy can also bring physical discomfort, leg cramps and more frequent trips to the bathroom, particularly during the third trimester. Later in life, perimenopause and menopause can disrupt sleep through symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats. It is not just about hormones Social factors may also contribute to differences in sleep. Research suggests women can experience a greater mental burden from balancing work, household responsibilities and caregiving.3 These competing demands can increase stress and reduce the time available for quality sleep.3 Interestingly, Australian research found that women, particularly those aged 25 to 44, were less likely than men to report that their daily routine allowed enough time for sleep all or most of the time.1 However, average weekday sleep duration was not significantly different between women and men.1 When should you seek help? Occasional restless nights are common, but persistent insomnia deserves attention. Chronic insomnia generally involves difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, along with daytime impairment, occurring at least three times a week for more than three months despite having adequate opportunity to sleep. If poor sleep is regularly affecting your energy, concentration or everyday life, speak with your doctor. Understanding what is behind your sleep difficulties is an important first step towards finding the right treatment and getting better rest. References 1. Appleton, Sarah L, et al. “Insomnia Prevalence Varies with Symptom Criteria Used with Implications for Epidemiological Studies: Role of Anthropometrics, Sleep Habit, and Comorbidities.” Nature and Science of Sleep, vol. Volume 14, Apr. 2022, pp. 775–90, https://doi.org/10.2147/nss.s359437. 2) “Insomnia | Office on Women’s Health.” OASH | Office on Women’s Health, 2017, https://womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/insomnia. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026. 3. Conroy, Deirdre. “Why Women Are Twice As Likely To Have Insomnia Than Men.” Www.Michiganmedicine.Org, 13 June 2016, https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/3-reasons-women-are-more-likely-have-insomnia. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.
