Neurologists have highlighted that women require more sleep than men due to their brains’ heightened activity, driven by multitasking and intense emotional processing.
This increased cognitive workload demands additional rest for optimal brain performance and recovery.
Experts also noted that hormonal fluctuations during different life stages—such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause—affect sleep patterns, making adequate rest essential for women.
Hormones like estrogen and progesterone play significant roles in influencing these patterns.
The specialists stressed that prioritizing sleep is crucial for enhancing memory, mood, and cognitive function.
Proper rest can help prevent mental fatigue and long-term neurological issues, underscoring the critical need for women to get enough sleep.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep per night.
However, data from the National Library of Medicine shows that women may need an extra 11 to 20 minutes of sleep to fully recharge.
A study conducted by Duke University in North Carolina found that women suffer more severe health consequences from sleep deprivation than men of the same age group.
The study, which included 210 middle-aged men and women, revealed that women need more sleep to help the brain recover from daily stress.
The findings indicated that sleep-deprived women are at higher risk of depression, anger, and psychological distress.
An Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences and the lead author of the study, Edward Suarez, stated, “For women, poor sleep is strongly associated with high levels of psychological distress and greater feelings of hostility, depression, and anger.”
In interviews with The PUNCH, neurologists emphasized the importance of sufficient sleep for women’s brain health.
Chairman of the International Institutes of Advanced Research and Training Centre at Chidicon Medical Centre, Owerri, Professor Philip Njemanze, supported the idea that women need more sleep, recommending an additional 11 minutes of rest.
He suggested intermittent naps during the day to help women meet their sleep needs.
Njemanze, a former Principal Investigator for NASA’s ‘Brain in Space’ study, theorized that differences in how male and female brains process light might explain why women excel at multitasking, while men tend to focus on singular tasks.
He explained, “Women excel at multitasking—nurturing children, cooking, and chatting simultaneously—while men often prefer focused, singular tasks. This multitasking ‘superpower’ requires vast energy, leading to fatigue. Without proper rest, women are at greater risk of mental health challenges like depression.”
He emphasized that women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience depression, highlighting the importance of balanced routines and sufficient sleep.
“Simple lifestyle adjustments, like prioritizing sleep, can have profound effects on overall health,” he added.
A Consultant Neurologist at Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital, Ogidi, Anambra State, Dr. Joe Akoma, concurred that women need more quality sleep but often struggle to get it.
He pointed out that societal expectations and lifestyle factors contribute to these challenges, but hormonal fluctuations are the primary cause.
Akoma explained that age and life stages significantly impact sleep patterns for both sexes, but women face unique challenges due to fluctuating hormones.
“These hormones promote better sleep but cause disruptions during menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause,” he said.
He added, “Women tend to overthink and multitask, which increases brain activity. Their brains are more complex and wired differently from men’s, resulting in a greater need for sleep.”
