Sleep and Health Outcomes in Women With Heavy Menses

Inclusion criteria

• Women aged 18-50 years old
• Generally healthy (self-assessed; no significant underlying disease)
• Premenopausal patients with regular menstrual cycles every 21 to 35 days
• Patients with at least 3 days and no more than 7 days of bleeding during menstruation
• An intact uterus and at least one ovary
• Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent
• Willingness to adhere to study procedures
• Menstrual pads are the primary form for nighttime menstrual protection needs
• Will maintain a daily schedule that allows normal or typical sleep habits (ie, not a night-shift worker; >5 hours of sleep).
• Women will self-report that they have heavy flow and perform at least one of the following compensatory behaviors:

• Set an alarm or plan to get up in the middle of the night to check or change the pad
• Add additional disposable absorbent products for extra leak protection of coverage (e.g. extra pads or liners)
• Use pillows or other means to limit sleep positions (to prevent moving at night)
• Use something extra on top of my bedding (such as a towel) to sleep on
• Wear an extra pair of pants/shorts
• Wear tighter clothing than they typically would, like yoga pants

Exclusion criteria

• Currently pregnant or intending to imminently attempt pregnancy
• Any condition (social or medical) that, in the opinion of the primary care giver or study staff, would make trial participation unsafe or complicate data interpretation
• Difficult sleeping environment due to:

• Frequently involved in activities requiring nighttime awakenings (eg, taking care of an infant or loved one).
• Disruptive bed partners (i.e., snoring, children, pets, etc)
• Diagnosed sleep disorders (i.e. insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg disorder, breathing disorder, etc)
• Use of an Intrauterine Device (IUDs) unless copper IUD.
• Regular use (>1 day per week) of sleep aids and/or sedating medications, including over the counter products like melatonin.