0865 Menstrual Regularity And Bleeding Associated With Sleep Duration, Sleep Quality, And Daytime Sleepiness In A Community Sample

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Female menstrual health and its relationship to sleep duration, quality, fatigue and other factors is an understudied subject in the field of sleep and women’s health. Few studies examined sleep in relation to menstrual regularity and bleeding. Methods Data were obtained from N=579 women who have had a menstrual period in the past 12 months who participated in the Sleep and Health Activity, Diet, Environment, and Socialization (SHADES) study, a community-based sample of adults age 22-60 living in southeastern Pennsylvania. Participants were asked, “How regular is your period?” with response choices of “Very Regular,” “Mostly Regular,” “Fairly Regular,” and “Not Regular.” They were also asked, “How much bleeding do you usually experience during your period?” Responses were “Very Heavy,” “Medium,” “Light,” or “Very Light.” These were evaluated as ordinal outcomes. Sleep-related predictors included sleep duration (<=6h [Short], 7-8 [Normal], and >=9 [Long]), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score, and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score. Covariates included age, education, income, race/ethnicity, and body mass index. Results Short sleep duration was associated with a greater likelihood of heavier bleeding (OR=1.46, p=0.026) and greater irregularity (OR=1.44, p=0.031), compared to Normal sleep. Higher PSQI score was associated with more irregularity (OR=1.05, p=0.022). FSS score was associated with both heavier bleeding (OR=1.02, p=0.003) and more irregularity (OR=1.02, p=0.008). Long sleep, ISI, and ESS were not associated with either outcome. A sleep duration by FSS score interaction was found for irregularity (p=0.1). Among Normal sleepers, FSS was associated with greater irregularity, but not among Short sleepers. Conclusion There is a relationship between short sleep and heavier and irregular menses. These findings have implications for treating sleep problems among women. Also, mechanisms of these associations should be explored further. Support Dr. Grandner is supported by R01MD011600 The SHADES study was funded by R21ES022931