Sleep problems are common in middle age, particularly among women in their 40s and 50s. In a new study published on September 1, 2026, in Journal of Wood Science, the researchers explored whether essential oils derived from Hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa), known as Japanese cypress, roots could help improve sleep quality. […]
Women’s Health
Women with Enlarged Breast Tissue More Likely to Experience Chronic Migraine, Neck Pain and Sleep Apnea, Study Finds
Women with enlarged breast tissue, known medically as macromastia, may be more likely to experience chronic migraine, neck pain, certain spinal nerve disorders and obstructive sleep apnea, according to a new study by Wake Forest University School of Medicine researchers, published Tuesday in the journal Headache. The findings suggest enlarged […]
New Study Reveals Physiological Changes During Pregnancy Based on Oura Data
Pregnancy transforms nearly every system in a woman’s body, yet the specificity and timing of these changes remain poorly understood. To help fill that gap, scientists from Oura’s science team recently published one of the largest longitudinal analyses of its kind, using real-world data from more than 10,000 pregnancies tracked […]
Poor Sleep Quality May Worsen Emotional Burden in T2D
Topline: Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who experienced sleep impairments, including short sleep duration, snoring, and insomnia symptoms, were more likely to face an increased risk for diabetes distress. In particular, daytime coping difficulties due to sleep problems showed a notably prominent association with diabetes distress. Methodology: Researchers in Norway conducted a cross-sectional […]
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness is Associated with Mortality in Middle-Aged Women
A new study to be presented at the SLEEP 2025 annual meeting found that excessive daytime sleepiness is associated with higher odds of all-cause mortality in middle-aged women but not in younger or older women. Results show that the adjusted odds of all-cause mortality were 16% higher in women between […]
A Comprehensive Look at Barriers to Sleep in Pregnancy
Getting a good night’s sleep is a constant imperative across all genders, ages, and walks of life. But perhaps it is even more critical for someone “sleeping for two.”1 The literature supports that, during pregnancy, the need for sleep is increased. Further, a lack of sleep can result in negative […]
The Interplay Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
By Regina Patrick, RPSGT, RST Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder in which many small fluid-filled sacs (i.e., cysts) develop on a woman’s ovaries and the ovaries produce high levels of male sex hormones (i.e., androgens). PCOS is also associated with insulin […]
Women and Sleep Across the Life Span
Introduction The development of the female brain is uniquely different. The hormonal changes in utero, around early development, during pregnancy, menopause, and beyond can introduce specific challenges to a woman’s sleep and may result in sleep disorders. Current studies show that conditions in utero may impact the development of the […]
Sleep Apnea in Pregnancy Associated with Increased Post-Delivery Risks
In a new study published online in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, researchers examined whether sleep disordered breathing (primarily obstructive sleep apnea) during pregnancy and in the years after delivery is associated with an increased risk for hypertension and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome consists […]
In Utero Exposure to Tiny Pollution Particles in the Air Linked to Asthma in US Preschoolers
Women who were highly exposed to ultrafine particles in air pollution during their pregnancy were more likely to have children who developed asthma, according to a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. This is the first time asthma has been linked with prenatal exposure […]













