The ‘gender sleep gap’: Why women get worse sleep than men — but need more

Move over wage gap, there’s a new gender crisis.

Research confirms what many women already know — they’re more tired than men, reportedly getting less and worse sleep.

For women, the “gender sleep gap” brings about lower sleep quality, more disruptions and more insomnia for a few reasons.

Several studies have found that women often get less sleep than men, despite possibly needing more. baranq – stock.adobe.com

Several studies have found discrepancies between the quantity and quality of sleep men and women get each night.

A 2017 study found that only 48% of mothers under 45 years old got at least seven hours of sleep, while 62% of women without children reported the same.

More recently, a 2025 global report from Sleep Cycle reported that 57% of women woke up in an average mood — around three points lower than men’s scores.

While the difference may not seem like much, women often bear the brunt of a lack of sleep due to a combination of biological and social factors, according to Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a double board-certified psychiatry and sleep medicine doctor.

“Hormonal fluctuations throughout the life cycle, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause all play a significant role in disrupting sleep architecture and sleep quality,” Dimitriu, the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, told The Post.

A combination of biological and social factors can wreck women’s sleep, causing more insomnia and disruptions. kinomaster – stock.adobe.com

He added that women tend to carry more caregiving responsibilities, which can lead to increased anxiety and difficulty winding down at night.

But here’s the kicker — women actually need a bit more sleep than the universally recommended seven to nine hours.

Studies have shown that women need anywhere from six to 28 more minutes of sleep per night, though the exact reasons why are unclear.

“One theory is that women tend to multi-task more often,” Dimitriu explained. “As a result, the brain requires more time to recover and perform essential maintenance during deep sleep.”

Women also tend to pick up more of the household labor, from cooking and cleaning to taking care of children, which could contribute to a lack of sleep.

And since hormones play a vital role in sleep, the various changes women go through could explain the need for more daytime naps.

Beyond an afternoon siesta, though, Dimitriu says the fundamentals of sleep hygiene still apply to catch some more ZZZs.

He suggests wearable tech like Oura rings that can help track sleep and monthly cycles, while creating a good sleep environment with a cool, dark room can also make rest easier to achieve.

Women could also benefit from a more targeted approach.

“This includes tracking sleep patterns in relation to hormonal cycles and being particularly proactive about managing stress, including quiet time before bed and journaling to quiet the mind,” Dimitriu said. “It also helps to understand that their sleep needs may fluctuate monthly and to plan accordingly.”