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There are many reasons why women do not get a good night's sleep. A new study has found that hormones could be affecting women's sleep at a younger age than previously thought. The study also revealed a number of behavioral factors that also play a role in poor sleep.

Besides hormones, researchers also determined behavioral factors can play a role in poor sleeping habits. Some of the behaviors included high caffeine consumption, high anxiety, and increased depressive symptoms. The study also showed that black women were more likely to report sleeping problems than white women.

Research done at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center looked at 218 black women and 218 white women aged 35 to 47 years old. The women were followed for two years. Through the study, their sleep quality, lifestyle habits, and hormones were tracked.

Researchers found 17 percent of women reported poor sleep during their menstrual cycle. Poor sleeping habits appeared to be related to the women's estradiol levels, especially in women aged 45 to 49 years old.

Estradiol is the most potent naturally occurring estrogen produced by the ovaries. This is important because this study suggested that sleep problems associated with aging ovaries may be occurring in some women earlier than previously thought. In the United States, the average age of menopause is 51 years old.

Researchers said that since their study shows hormones can cause problems before menopause, doctors should consider hormone therapy earlier in some women. They also added that future studies should look at the effect of estrogen treatment on poor sleeping habits in women aged 45 and older.

SOURCE: Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2001;98:391-397