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A year-long investigation by the UK's National Sleep Foundation into the sleeping habits of more than 2000 women aged from 18 to 64 has found that almost two-thirds had between one and three disturbed nights every week. Almost 70 per cent said they frequently experience a sleep problem.
This compares to 52 per cent of men who say they suffer insomnia a few nights a week or more.
The study reflects research in a new book by the founder of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Dr Meir Kryger, author of Can't Sleep, Can't Stay Awake: A Woman's Guide To Sleep Disorders.
"Unlike men, women have sleep problems related to hormonal and bodily changes from menstruation, pregnancy and menopause," he said.
"Unfortunately, too often it is women whose sleep disorders are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed because of a lack of education among doctors about these unique problems." Sufferers are putting their health at risk while contributing to rises in obesity and diabetes, he said.
"Women lose sleep because of their role in the family and the demands of today's 24/7 world."
Kryger said women's disorders are often missed because, although they have the same sleep disorders as men, the way they react to sleeplessness is different. "Women with sleep apnea [temporarily stopping breathing while asleep] have symptoms of depression more often than men with apnea."
Richard Gelula, chief executive of the NSF, said: "More than one-half of the women polled reported that they felt sad in the past month and one- third reported they recently felt hopeless about the future."
But women refuse to succumb to the strain of sleeplessness. Almost 80 per cent said that, when they experience drowsiness during the day, they just accept it and keep going. Two-thirds said they achieved this by drinking caffeine-rich drinks. Just 8 per cent admitted missing work once a month due to tiredness.
Sleepless lives
* Marlene Dietrich said the only thing that lulled her to sleep was a sardine and onion sandwich on rye bread.
* Judy Garland became addicted to the amphetamines given to her by her studio to control her weight. She took so many that she would stay up for four nights running.
* Tallulah Bankhead hired gay "caddies" to hold her hand until she drifted off.
* Marilyn Monroe was a long-time user of sleeping pills.
* Margaret Thatcher reportedly needed only four hours of sleep a night.
- Observer
