The Impact of a Lack of Sleep on the Reproductive System of Men and Women

How Sleep Deprivation Hinders Our Ability to Reproduce

Research indicates that a lack of sleep has a significant impact on the reproductive system. Studies illustrate that both men’s and women’s reproductive systems are significantly disrupted because of sleep deprivation. Additionally, studies indicate that sleep deprivation lowers our physical attractiveness. Just one night of short sleep lowers the attractiveness of our facial appearance and social appeal. This research finding confirms the long-held concept of “beauty sleep”. Consequently, insufficient sleep both directly and indirectly reduces our ability to reproduce.

The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on the Reproductive System of Men

Studies indicate that having inadequate sleep has a significantly negative impact on the fertility and libido of men. When healthy men in their mid-twenties sleep for only five hours a night for an entire week the consequences are drastic. Their testosterone levels drop significantly relative to their own baseline level when fully rested. The effect is so large that it effectively ages the men by ten to fifteen years in terms of testosterone virility.

Additionally, men who sleep too little or have poor quality sleep have a 29 percent lower sperm count. Furthermore, the sperm themselves have more deformities compared to men who obtain a full night of sleep. Moreover, these sleep deprived men often feel tired and experience a significantly lower libido.

The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on the Reproductive System of Women

Studies indicate that women become reproductively compromised by a lack of sleep. For example, women who routinely sleep less than six hours a night experience a 20 percent drop in follicular-releasing hormone. This hormone is a critical reproductive element that peaks just prior to ovulation and is essential for conception.

Women who often conduct irregular shift work, such as medical personnel and cabin crew suffer severe negative consequences. They have a 33 percent higher rate of abnormal menstrual cycles compared to those working regular daytime hours. Furthermore, they are 80 percent more likely to suffer from fertility issues. This significantly diminishes their ability to get pregnant. When women get pregnant but they regularly sleep less than eight hours a night, they are considerably more likely to suffer a miscarriage in their first trimester. 

More information on how to minimize the negative health consequences of shift work can be found on the page focused on Managing Shift Work.