Dr. Wendy Troxel, PhD: Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, Perimenopause Sleep, and the Treatment That Outperforms Every Medication
Sleep is not just something women need more of. It is something women struggle with in ways that are fundamentally different from men and almost nobody explains why.
Dr. Wendy Troxel, PhD is one of the most respected sleep scientists in the world. Her research has shaped sleep policy in the US military. Her book, Sharing the Covers, is one of the most practical and science-backed guides to partnered sleep available. She is the rare researcher who can speak to the biology of sleep, the hormonal shifts of perimenopause, and what is actually happening in your bedroom, all in the same conversation.
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In this conversation:
Why women are twice as likely to have insomnia as men
What the new sleep duration research actually says (and why the magic number is not the point)
How relationship quality affects women's sleep and long-term health differently than men's
Why perimenopause is a perfect storm for sleep disruption
The 5 things that most reliably improve sleep quality
Chapters:
00:00:00 Trailer
00:01:26 Introducing Dr. Wendy Troxel, PhD00:02:37 How Sleep Research Started With Studying Relationships
00:05:14 Why Social Connection Is a Core Longevity Pillar for Women
00:08:32 Why Relationship Quality Matters More for Women's Health Than Men's
00:13:23 Perceived Stress vs. Physiological Stress in Women
00:16:43 Do Women Need More Sleep Than Men?
00:18:14 Why Women Are Twice as Likely to Have Insomnia
00:18:51 Sleep Apnea: The Condition Most Women Are Never Screened For
00:21:44 Wearables and Home Sleep Testing
00:23:52 How to Advocate for Yourself at the Doctor
00:25:42 The New Sleep Duration Research and Why the Number Is Not the Point
00:34:29 The Biggest Sleep Disruptors Women Face
00:41:26 Chronotype: Why You and Your Partner May Be Biologically Mismatched
00:47:12 Can You Change Your Chronotype?
00:50:28 Why Sleeping Before Midnight Is More Complicated Than People Think
00:54:21 The Five Habits That Actually Fix Sleep
00:57:51 Why Perimenopause Is a Perfect Storm for Sleep Disruption
01:01:14 CBT-I: The Treatment That Outperforms Every Sleep Medication
01:04:05 How to Access CBT-I Treatment
01:05:54 The 3 A.M. Awakening and What to Do About It
01:09:25 Alcohol, Hormones, Supplements, and Morning Sunlight
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Connect with Dr Wendy:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drwendytroxel/
Website: https://www.drwendytroxel.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-wendy-troxel
Shownotes:
Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine: https://www.behavioralsleep.org
Dr. Wendy Troxel's TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/G0Zj_InJ4BQ?si=4-p3Iac2gItHlxtX
#insomnia #sleepscience #womenshealth #femalelongevity #sleepapnea #perimenopause #menopause #cbti #sleepoptimization #chronotype #longevity #hormonehealth #sleephealth #womenssleep #healthoptimization