Harvard Study Finds 60% of Women Saw Worse Sleep Before Menopause Using 94,000 Apple Watch Nights
Updated
Updated · 9to5Mac · May 28
Harvard Study Finds 60% of Women Saw Worse Sleep Before Menopause Using 94,000 Apple Watch Nights
2 articles · Updated · 9to5Mac · May 28
Harvard researchers analyzed more than 94,000 nights of Apple Watch sleep data from 338 women and found many spent more time awake at night in the year before and after their final logged menstrual period.
In the 18 months leading up to menopause, 60% of participants with sleep tracking data showed higher wake-after-sleep-onset, with an average increase of 7%; after menopause, awake time was about 0.8% higher than before.
Symptom logs showed hot flashes in 82.3% of participants, irritability in 68.1%, mental exhaustion in 65.7% and sexual symptoms in 65.6%; worse sleep was most closely tied to bladder, joint, heart-discomfort and depressive symptoms.
The study said sleep changes varied widely across individuals, underscoring that perimenopause and menopause do not follow a uniform pattern.
The findings come from Apple’s Women’s Health Study, part of a broader Apple Research effort that the company said in 2025 had grown to more than 350,000 U.S. participants.
Can your smartwatch predict the onset of perimenopause before major symptoms like insomnia begin?
How can women distinguish normal perimenopausal sleep issues from a more serious underlying sleep disorder?
With billions in economic losses, what workplace changes offer the best support for perimenopausal employees?
Sleep Disruption in Menopause: New Data, Wearable Metrics, and Strategies for Health and Productivity
Overview
This report explores how large-scale studies like the Apple Women’s Health Study, led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and partners, use innovative technology such as the Apple Watch to collect real-world health data from women. These efforts aim to deepen understanding of complex transitions like menopause and their effects on sleep and overall well-being. While specific findings from a 2026 Harvard study on menopause-related sleep disruption are not detailed, the report highlights the importance of comprehensive research and advanced technology in uncovering the wide-ranging impacts of menopause on women’s health.