Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

Why do I have trouble sleeping before my period?

103 Answers
Last Updated: 10/04/2016 at 7:58pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Brooke Bowen, LPC

Counselor

I am nonjudgmental, supportive, and encouraging. I use an eclectic approach in order to empower you so you can have a happy and fulfilling future :)

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
August 23rd, 2015 8:23pm
Often, the period before one's period can be physically unpleasant as well. Perhaps, for you, you're finding yourself being kept up at night due to uncomfortable feelings like bloating or nausea.
mommabear29
August 26th, 2015 9:24am
I think it might have to do with all emotions that come with pms. It makes my emotions that more intense and my thoughts scatter in all directions it seems. I often am very moody before my period. Any day to day stresses seem more dramatic. This causes me to take longer to fall asleep.
Duende
August 26th, 2015 8:42pm
Each phase of the menstrual cycle has different effects on sleep. The rising and falling levels of hormones (estrogen and progesterone) can affect the ability to fall and stay asleep. This is the connection between PMS and insomnia.
dbettis1
August 27th, 2015 5:14pm
I think that could be because of all the changes going on within your body. It kinda throws everything off and your sleep could be one of the things affected.
Anonymous
August 28th, 2015 7:57am
I've found it has to do with my mood. Since periods cause huge hormonal changes, there are also huge mood swings, so you're mind can be all over the place as you are trying to sleep, or you can extra irritable and uncomfortable. Making sure you are super comfy or doing something to relax you can help.
kitsunesakura
August 29th, 2015 12:09am
Your period changes your hormone structure which can throw all sorts of things out of whack, including your sleep schedule. Periods are like a mini-pregnancy in a way. Women experience all sorts of symptoms like headaches, tiredness, sleeplessness, and in some rare cases even depression and psychosis. Changes in your body can also cause sleeplessness: it's hard to sleep on a crampy, bloated tummy. Your joints might swell up, you might get headaches, and some conditions (especially stomach related conditions like Crohns disease) can intensify.
Anonymous
August 29th, 2015 3:57pm
Usually before your period, different hormone levels drops and rises which can cause women to stay up longer or not be able to sleep. Other times it could be because cramps can be so unbearable sometimes that they can keep you up
Sonali93
August 30th, 2015 10:52am
It is because of the hormone change in your body. It is very normal and oftenly happen. The best things that works for me is eating banana and a cup of milk, listen to calming music and try not to think over too much.
lotusblossom6
September 2nd, 2015 4:45pm
Often times, hormones fluctuate throughout the month, especially at the start of your period. This can cause mood changes, sleep changes, appetite changes, you name it! Lifestyle changes can often help - no caffeine or exercise after afternoon, getting up to do something outside your room when you cant sleep and returning when youre ready, or even rearranging things in your room to create a more peaceful environment :)
Flowerthingy
September 2nd, 2015 9:52pm
it might be because of period cramps, or because of all the hormones that are being produced. a tip would be exercising and drinking tea/ water.
LucyLemon18
September 4th, 2015 3:49am
It's a symptom that some girls have, remember your hormones are running crazy. No need to worry but you can try go to your doctor and tell him/her to give you something to help you :) Keep strong
Anonymous
September 6th, 2015 12:30am
I have trouble because I get bloated and have cramps and my body feels so uncomfortable. Its hard to sleep.
Anonymous
September 6th, 2015 1:46pm
I have trouble with the stomach cramps and the craving for chocolate and sweets in the middle of the night!
Supergirl94
September 10th, 2015 6:32am
Honestly as a female myself, I don't know. Probably because of the changes your body goes through to produce the lovely period for us. Or any pre-symptoms we experience such as cramps and moodiness :P If you know your period is coming up, could also be anxiety or stress about it.
Anonymous
September 11th, 2015 12:10am
Sometimes your hormones will cause you to stay awake at night. You might be stressed or worried about something and your hormones are enhancing the stress
Anonymous
September 12th, 2015 2:53pm
Maybe it's the process before the period or maybe you can referred to the doctors for the help and let's someone know.
Anonymous
September 17th, 2015 3:02am
There are several reasons that you can have trouble sleeping before your period. The most common reason in my opinion is being uncomfortable/in pain. A few things I recommend are using a heating pad on your lower back to relieve some of your cramps and do drink lots of water during the day. This will help with circulation. Sometimes adding a pillow under your knees helps as well.
KintsugiLady
September 17th, 2015 8:59am
Most probably it's hormones: the days before our period there are lots of hormones rushing through our bodies, and most of us react differently to them. For me, for instance, it is irritability and symptoms of depressions; for others it is unrelenting sadness... for you it is probably insomnia, among others. Remind yourself that it'll be gone in a couple of days, and do some relaxation and/or mindfulness exercises to see if sleep comes easier this way!
TheMindsweep
September 18th, 2015 7:23am
The body's response to the ovulation process and the menstrual cycle can differ from person to person. Sometimes for me I would be more emotionally sensitive so I will be up late thinking about things or my body could be aching in response to my hormone changes.
EthanisBae
September 18th, 2015 4:38pm
Well, for me personally its because I have back aches and stuff. So then its just uncomfortable to go to sleep while on my period. Plus having a wet pad doesn't help:)
AmazingEars15
September 19th, 2015 2:07pm
When you get your period, your body is in a hormonal increased situation. Hormones are active and that can be a reason it is hardder to sleep.
Anonymous
September 24th, 2015 1:20am
Could be because there's a lot of hormonal activity going on inside your body. If you feel pain, a hot water bag does wonders!
Samantharenee
September 24th, 2015 3:31pm
Rising and falling levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which regulate the menstrual cycle, can affect a woman's ability to fall and stay asleep
HelenTheWiseOne
September 27th, 2015 9:42am
I think this could be because the hormones that are released do tend to make people stressed or anxious. Personally I find it hard to sleep when I'm due on because I'm so emotional and feel like there is some problem to be solved before I can rest. Hope you get some snoozes!
Kattybell86
October 22nd, 2015 10:30am
For me it's because I am having cramps or can't really focus on sleeping. I end up tossing and turning a lot.
Anonymous
October 22nd, 2015 4:44pm
This is because our periods cause our hormones to stir and one of the after-effects is an uncomfortable feeling which simply prevents us form sleeping.Of course, this is just one of the several reasons.It doesn't always have to be linked with your period.
HummingbirdLullabies
October 24th, 2015 12:27pm
Because all you hormone are everywhere and if its anything like what I have, you get pre-period cramps.
Anonymous
October 25th, 2015 10:59am
Because of the hormonal changes before the process and the emotional and physical impacts it has as it approaches.
Anonymous
October 25th, 2015 4:54pm
Your hormones are ever changing. Go to a dr and get a hormone panel done it can tell you more about what's going on.
Featherlite
October 26th, 2015 2:08am
Between cramps, bloating, pain, headaches and bleeding, its a wonder we get any sleep at all! Theres also hormones at play and digestive issues that can pop up (too bad chocolate has so much caffeine!), especially if you're a late evening snacker like me!