Sleep quality in women who use different contraceptive methods

• Main Authors: Helena Hachul, Aline Rodrigues Bisse, Zila M. Sanchez, Fábio Araujo, Cristina A F Guazzelli, Sergio Tufik, Márcia Barbieri
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazilian Association of Sleep and Latin American Federation of Sleep Societies 2020-04-01
• Series: Sleep Science
• Subjects: sleep; contraception; women; life style
• Online Access: http://sleepscience.org.br/export-pdf/2749/v13n2a08.pdf
• ISSN: 1984-0659; 1984-0063

Background: Both menstrual cycle and hormone alterations influence sleep pattern. The aim of this study was to evaluate sleep quality in women who use different contraceptive methods. Material and Methods: This study was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality, and a questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic, clinical, lifestyle, and contraceptive use data. Results: The study population comprised 235 women in reproductive age. Regarding lifestyle, 25.5% of the women were physically active, 12.3% were tobacco-smoking, and 70.6% drank coffee daily. Sleep quality was good in 34% of the studied population and poor in 66% of the population. The population was divided into two groups: hormonal (57.1%) and non-hormonal (42.9%) contraceptive users. Sleep quality in the users of non-hormonal contraceptive methods was similar to that in the users of hormonal methods (6.1±3.2 versus 5.9±2.9; p=0.5). Sleep efficiency was statistically higher among the users of non-hormonal contraceptive methods (94.7±17.7) than among the users of hormonal methods (90.0±15.3; p=0.03). The patients who had irregular or altered menstrual cycles reported poorer sleep quality. The absence of routine physical activity negatively influenced sleep quality (p=0.05). The women who snored reported worse sleep quality (p=0.002). Conclusions: Nearly half of the studied population was users of hormonal contraception, and most of these women reported poor sleep quality. Sleep efficiency was higher among the users of non-hormonal contraceptives. No differences in subgroups (hormonal contraceptive users) were observed.