01How Men and Women Sleep Differently — And What to Do About It

Sleep is a universal need, but men and women don't experience it the same way. The differences span hormones, biology, sleep disorders, and how each sex responds to sleep deprivation. Understanding them can make a real difference — for your own sleep, and for your relationship.

02Who Needs More Sleep?

Research consistently suggests that women need slightly more sleep than men on average. The most commonly cited reason is that women use more of their brain for multitasking and complex cognitive tasks throughout the day, requiring more restorative sleep to recover. Studies by the Sleep Research Centre at Loughborough University found women sleep about 20 minutes more per night than men on average — yet report more sleep disturbances and feel less rested.

Men, on the other hand, may require less total sleep but are more likely to wake during the night — often due to a higher risk of sleep apnea and fragmented sleep cycles.

Both sexes need 7–9 hours. What varies is the quality, architecture, and obstacles to getting there.

03How Hormones Shape Sleep

Women and hormonal sleep disruption

Women's sleep is more susceptible to hormonal fluctuation throughout life:

  • Monthly cycles: Progesterone levels drop before menstruation, which is associated with worse sleep quality in the week before a period. Some women experience insomnia or increased awakenings during this phase.
  • Pregnancy: Physical discomfort, frequent urination, and hormonal shifts make sleep progressively more difficult, especially in the third trimester.
  • Menopause: Hot flashes and night sweats are among the most disruptive sleep events women experience. They can cause multiple full awakenings per night over a period of years.

Men and testosterone

Testosterone in men is primarily produced during sleep — specifically during REM stages. Poor sleep means reduced testosterone production. Men who regularly sleep fewer than 6 hours per night can see testosterone levels drop by 10–15%, affecting energy, mood, metabolism, and libido. This is one reason sleep quality matters so much for men's overall health, not just rest.

04Sleep Disorders by Gender

Sleep apnea

Men are roughly twice as likely as women to develop obstructive sleep apnea — particularly in their 30s and 40s. This is thought to be related to differences in airway anatomy, fat distribution, and hormonal factors. Sleep apnea causes fragmented sleep, reduced oxygen, and chronic fatigue that compounds over time.

Women's risk increases significantly after menopause, when hormonal protection partially recedes.

Insomnia

Women are diagnosed with insomnia at higher rates than men — about 1.5 times more frequently. The reasons include hormonal fluctuations, higher rates of anxiety and depression, and a tendency to lie awake ruminating more than men do.

Restless leg syndrome

RLS affects women at twice the rate of men, with a notable spike during pregnancy when symptoms can become severe.

05How Each Sex Handles Sleep Deprivation

Men and women don't respond to sleep loss in quite the same way. Research suggests:

  • Men are more likely to power through fatigue and underestimate how tired they are. They may push past exhaustion without recognizing the cognitive impairment it creates.
  • Women tend to be more aware of their fatigue and are more vulnerable to depression as a result of chronic sleep deprivation. The mood and mental health toll is often more pronounced.

When it comes to couples, women are also more likely to be the ones who recognize and address a partner's sleep problem. If one partner snores, is restless, or seems perpetually exhausted, it's usually the woman who initiates the conversation about seeing a doctor.

06Temperature in Bed

One of the most common couple friction points: she's hot, he's cold. Or vice versa. Temperature regulation during sleep varies between individuals and is influenced by body composition, hormones, and metabolic rate.

Women's body temperature fluctuates more with hormonal cycles. Men tend to run warmer due to higher muscle mass and metabolic rate, but individual variation is wide.

If temperature incompatibility is disrupting sleep, a few options help:

  • Breathable mattress materials — latex and well-ventilated hybrids sleep cooler than traditional memory foam
  • Dual-zone bedding solutions
  • A split king setup where each side can be adjusted independently

07Sleeping as a Couple When You're Not Perfectly Compatible

Different sleep needs don't have to mean separate bedrooms. The right setup makes shared sleep work for people with genuinely different requirements.

  • Motion isolation: If one partner is restless, a memory foam or pocketed-coil hybrid mattress minimizes the disturbance to the other side.
  • Split adjustable bases: An adjustable base in a split king configuration lets each person set their own head and foot elevation. Useful for snoring, back pain, temperature, and comfort preferences simultaneously.
  • Size up: Moving from a queen to a king gives both people more space and reduces incidental contact that wakes a lighter sleeper.

Visit us at any of our LA Mattress Store locations and we'll help both of you find something that works. Our consultants can guide you through couples-specific options — because two people sharing a bed are rarely looking for the exact same thing.

08Frequently Asked Questions

Do women actually need more sleep than men?

On average, research suggests women need slightly more sleep — though the difference is modest (roughly 20 minutes per night). What varies more is sleep quality and the number of disruptions women face due to hormonal factors over their lifetime.

Why does my male partner wake up more rested after fewer hours?

Possibly a combination of factors: men may consolidate sleep stages differently, and if a woman is experiencing hormonal-related sleep fragmentation, her 8 hours may yield less deep sleep than his 7. It's also possible he's underestimating his fatigue — a common trait in men.

Can sleep apnea in a partner affect my sleep?

Significantly. A partner with untreated sleep apnea typically snores loudly and may stop breathing, which wakes light sleepers. If this is happening, it's worth pursuing a sleep apnea evaluation — treating it is life-changing for the affected person and restores sleep for their partner.

What's the best mattress for couples with different sleep preferences?

Start with good motion isolation — pocketed coil hybrids or memory foam excel here. If the firmness preferences differ substantially, a split king (two separate twin XL mattresses on an adjustable base) allows each person to choose their ideal surface. Come in and we'll walk you through the options.

Do hormonal changes during menopause require a new mattress?

Not necessarily — but hot flashes and night sweats can make a dense memory foam mattress feel unbearable. Switching to a breathable latex or hybrid mattress, combined with moisture-wicking bedding, can make a meaningful difference in sleep quality during this period.