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Sleep plays a fundamental and important role in hormonal regulation and reproductive health, among many other functions. A role that is rarely considered a key factor in the evaluation of fertility. Nothing could be further from the truth. Various studies have confirmed the strong connection between sleeping—well or poorly—and fertility in both women and men.
Scientific evidence suggests that sleep disruption negatively impacts ovarian function. It also affects success rates in assisted reproduction treatments such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) (Choi et al., 2021). Therefore, focusing on sleep quality is important to increase the chances of success.
What causes sleep disturbances?
Changes in sleep or sleep deprivation alter the secretion of different hormones. For example, the secretion of gonadotropins, thus affecting ovulation and oocyte quality. In addition, interruptions in sleep cause a decrease in melatonin, a hormone with antioxidant properties and a regulator of the circadian cycle. This would increase oxidative stress in the ovaries, reducing embryo viability and implantation rate.
More studies show that women with chronic insomnia or changes in sleep routine due, for example, to night work shifts, have higher infertility rates and lower ovarian stimulation response (Léger et al., 2022), in addition to being associated with the appearance of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Importance of light during sleep hours
To improve sleep routine, among other recommendations, it is advised to pay special attention to the light signals that the eyes receive in the hours before going to sleep. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), receiving light exposure at night is negative, as the brain interprets that light as daytime. The area of the brain that receives these signals, called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, transmits them to the rest of the body through the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. This helps the body’s central clock stay in sync between day and night, with artificial light interfering in that process.
This affects the previously mentioned hormone, melatonin, and the release of cortisol, which prepares the body to wake up. Thus, exposure to artificial light in the late evening can alter this process and prevent the brain from releasing melatonin, leading to more difficulty falling asleep.
Watching television or using a mobile phone, especially with the lights off hours before bedtime, could trigger this issue.
In response, the use of blue light-blocking glasses is becoming increasingly common—and recommended—especially considering the number of hours we spend ‘glued to the phone,’ helping to protect the circadian rhythm and its consequences.
Conclusions to care for sleep and fertility
After analyzing the impact of sleep on oocyte quality, in particular, and fertility in general, it will be important to care for your circadian cycle and sleep quality to increase the chances of success in assisted reproduction treatments.
As stated by the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF), it will be essential for assisted reproduction specialists to consider sleep evaluation in their patients. Implementing sleep hygiene and stress management strategies could optimize ovarian response, oocyte quality, and implantation rates.
The integration of this multidisciplinary approach, supported by different studies, will help improve outcomes in fertility treatments.
Bibliographic references
– Choi, J., et al. (2021). Sleep disturbances and infertility: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 17(3), 512-520.
– FIV Dona. (2023). Your menstrual cycle and sleep: Is there a connection?
– García Orellana, A. J. (2024). Chronobiology and Assisted Reproduction (Master’s Thesis, University of Oviedo).
– Léger, D., et al. (2022). Impact of sleep deprivation on reproductive hormones in women. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 61, 101567.
– National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2022, March 24). How sleep works: Your sleep/wake cycle.
– Spanish Fertility Society. (n.d.). Sleep, a key factor in fertility.
