Chronotype and sleep duration interact to influence time to pregnancy: Results from a New York City cohort

The impact of chronic insomnia disorder on menstruation and ovarian reserve in childbearing-age women: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a disorder characterized by impaired ovarian function. Sleep disorders are disruptions of the circadian rhythm, which appears to be closely linked to reproductive systems. This study aimed to investigate the impact of poor sleep quality on the ovarian reserve of childbearing-age women.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in China from June 2021 to March 2023. In total, 102 participants diagnosed with chronic insomnia disorder were included in the study. Questionnaires were administered to assess participants' menstrual patterns, insomnia severity, anxiety, and depression. The anti-Müllerian hormone level and the basal antral follicle count were measured for ovarian reserve evaluation. Correlation analysis and ordinal logistic regression analysis were conducted.

RESULTS

The women with insomnia presented high percentages of hypomenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, and dysmenorrhea (78.4%, 74.5%, and 46.1%, respectively). Severe sleep disorder in the past month was identified as an independent risk factor for hypomenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome (odds ratio [OR], 2.64 and OR, 2.688; p<0.05). The prevalence of DOR among women with insomnia (33.3%) was significantly higher than the average reported in previous studies for young women. Insomnia duration exceeding 1 year was determined to be an independent risk factor for DOR in women aged 36 to 40 years (OR, 4.5; p=0.033).

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the association between sleep disorders and menstrual problems. Prolonged poor sleep quality in women aged 36 to 40 years was identified as a significant risk factor for DOR. We should pay more attention to improving sleep quality in order to maintain normal ovarian function.

Sleep health predicted glucose metabolism among pregnant women: A prospective cohort study

AIMS

To examine whether sleep health in the first trimester could predict glucose metabolism in the second trimester.

METHODS

Pregnant women (N = 127) during the first trimester were recruited (August 2022 to March 2023). Overall sleep health was assessed by the Sleep Health Index. Various dimensions of sleep health were measured using a 7-day sleep diary and questionnaires. The outcomes, including diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and HbA1c, were obtained from the medical records in the second trimester. Poisson regression analysis and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

The average age of the participants was 32.6 years. The incidence of GDM was 28.3 % and the mean HbA1c was 5.2 % (33 mmol/mol). Sleep duration regularity (RR = 1.808; 95 %CI 1.023, 3.196) was associated with GDM after controlling for confounders. SHI total score (β = -0.278; 95 %CI -0.022, -0.005) and sleep duration regularity (β = 0.243; 95 %CI 0.057, 0.372) were associated with HbA1c.

CONCLUSIONS

Worse sleep health, particularly lower sleep regularity, predicted worse glucose metabolism among pregnant women. Healthcare professional may consider adding sleep-related assessment to prenatal care. Maintaining regular sleep should be encouraged. Studies examining the impact of sleep intervention on glucose metabolism among pregnant women are warranted.