4. Insomnia
The hormonal changes in women throughout the month are cause for yet another PMS symptom: insomnia and sleep disruptions. The aforementioned low estrogen levels, as well as a decrease in progesterone (a hormone that has a mild sedative-like effect) during the luteal phase of the cycle, are what result in sleep disturbances and insomnia. The fluctuation of estrogen also reduces the actions of melatonin, the “sleep hormone”, which causes trouble sleeping. A poll done in 2007 by the National Sleep Foundation reported that 33 percent of women experience a disturbance in their sleep patterns during this part of their menstrual cycle.
The discomfort of other PMS symptoms, such as cramps, mood swings and increased anxiety, headaches, and indigestion, all make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. A rise in body temperature during menstruation can also cause sleep disturbances, as a drop in body temperature at night is one of the main factors that aid sleep at night.