Progesterone and Sleep Quality

Aging, certain medical conditions, lifestyle, and other factors can significantly affect sleeping pattern and sleep quality. Aside from lifestyle modifications, doctors also prescribe PRT for patients with sleeping difficulties. There is mounting evidence that progesterone administration can help achieve a restful sleep:
1. In men and women with sleeping problems like obstructive sleep apnea and obesity-hypoventilation, progesterone exerts a sleep induction or hypnotic effect. [136-137]
2. In postmenopausal women with sleep disturbances, PRT restores normal sleep pattern. [138]
3. In postmenopausal women, administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate and micronized progesterone are both effective in treating menopausal symptoms as well as improving sleep quality. [139]
4. In healthy men, progesterone administration significantly increases the amount of non-rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is one of the deepest cycles of sleep. [140]
5. In healthy postmenopausal women, progesterone reduces wakefulness. [141]
6. In women with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), low levels of progesterone were seen. [142]
7. In animal models, progesterone modulates spontaneous sleep patterns and recovery from sleep deprivation. [143-144]