How Sleep Affects Women’s Bones

1 min

This new finding about inadequate sleep adds to what we’re learning about the effect of sleep on women’s health. It comes from a study that included 11,084 postmenopausal women who reported on the amount of time they slept nightly. Researchers from the University of Buffalo found that women who slept five hours or less per night had lower bone mineral density at four sites – the whole body, total hip, neck and spine compared with women who reported sleeping seven hours per night.

The researchers concluded that the women who slept five hours or less had a higher risk of developing low bone mass and osteoporosis of the hip. Lead author Heather Ochs-Balcom, Ph.D. said the study “suggests that [inadequate] sleep may negatively impact bone health, adding to the list of the negative health impacts of poor sleep. I hope that it can also serve as a reminder to strive for the recommended seven or more hours of sleep per night for our physical and mental health.” The researchers noted, however, that longitudinal studies are needed to confirm their findings and explore the mechanisms associated with sleep duration and bone health.

Source:
Heather Ochs-Balcom et al, “Short Sleep Is Associated with Low Bone Mineral Density and Osteoporosis in the Women’s Health Initiative.” Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, November 6, 2019, asbmr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15234681

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