Sleep Disturbance in Midlife Women

Emphasizing midlife women, this review describes sleep and compares self-report sleep data with objective findings from laboratory studies of women. Sleep disturbance is a more prevalent complaint for women than men. Not due to chronologic age per se, it is associated with menopausal symptoms and most importantly with comorbidities and stress. Sleep problems in midlife women should not be attributed only to the menopausal symptom experience and should trigger a clinical evaluation. Assessment guidelines are included.