Harvard researchers have published the results of a study that analyzed more than 94,000 nights of apple watch sleep data to better understand how sleep patterns change during perimenopause. Here are the details.
Study analyzed more than 94,000 nights of Apple Watch sleep data
During the last years, Apple has used the Apple Watch as a form of support large scale health studies via the Apple Research app.
That includes the Apple Women’s Health Study, the Apple Heart and Movement Study and the Apple Hearing Study, which launched in 2019 with research partners such as Harvard, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the American Heart Association and the University of Michigan.
In February 2025, apple said Those studies have since grown to more than 350,000 participants across the United States.
Recently, the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health published the results (through Aaron Perris) from a study that looked at how sleep patterns change during perimenopause.
The study used more than 94,000 nights of apple watch sleep data from 338 Apple Women’s Health Study participants ages 25 to 59, the vast majority between 45 and 59 years old.
According to the data, “in the 12 months before and 12 months after the last recorded menstrual period, many participants spent more time awake during the night.”
Additionally, the study also found that “in the 18 months before menopause, 60% of women with sleep tracking data showed an increase in WASO (wake after sleep onset) relative to the previous 6 months,” with an average increase of 7%.
The researchers also noted that “in the 12 months before and 12 months after the last recorded menstrual period, participants spent approximately 0.8% more of their sleep time awake after menopause compared to before.”
Importantly, the researchers emphasized that results varied widely among participants, noting that “every person experiences perimenopause and menopause differently.”
Some participants had much larger increases in wake time after menopause, while others had no significant change in sleep.
Finally, participants who tracked their sleep for the study also recorded other symptoms of menopause, with hot flashes reported by 82.3%, irritability by 68.1%, mental exhaustion by 65.7% and sexual symptoms by 65.6%.
For participants who reported more severe menopause symptoms, the symptoms most closely associated with worse sleep were bladder symptoms, joint symptoms, heart complaints, and depressive symptoms.
The researchers also shared recommendations that can help women sleep better during perimenopause, including:
- Maintain a cool temperature in the sleeping environment.
- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule
- Get regular movement
- Avoid common bladder irritants and limit fluids in the hours before bedtime.
- Prioritize relaxation and mindfulness techniques in your bedtime routine.
For more information about the study results, follow this link.
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