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Sleep and Breathing
Published in: Sleep and Breathing 5/2023

06-03-2023 | Fertility | Sleep Breathing Physiology and Disorders • Original Article

Relationship between sleep disorders and female infertility among US reproductive-aged women

Authors: Jinyan Zhao, Qing Chen, Xiang Xue

Published in: Sleep and Breathing | Issue 5/2023

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Abstract

Purpose

Sleep disorders are a risk factor for a wide variety of dysfunctions of endocrine, metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases. However, the risk of sleep disorders to female infertility has not been thoroughly explored. Our study aimed to examine whether or not sleep disorders increase the risk of female infertility.

Methods

Cross-sectional data on sleep disorders and fertility history were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2018. Women aged 20 to 40 years old were enrolled in our study. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models and stratified analysis by age, smokers, and patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score were conducted to estimate the effect of sleep disorders on female infertility.

Result

Among 1820 reproductive-age females, 248 individuals had infertility and 430 individuals had sleep disorders. Two weighted logistic regression models found that sleep disorders were an independent risk factor for infertility. After adjusting for the covariates (age, race/ethnicity, marital status, education level, poverty income ratio, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, PHQ-9 score, smokers, drinkers, and sleeping hours), the risk of infertility was 2.14-fold higher in individuals with sleep disorders than in those without. The further stratified analysis demonstrated that the relationship between sleep disorders and infertility was maintained and that the risk was higher particularly in infertile women aged 40–44 years, with PHQ-9 score greater than 10, and smokers.

Conclusion

A strong association was found between sleep disorders and female infertility, and the association remained after adjusting for other confounding factors.
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Metadata
Title
Relationship between sleep disorders and female infertility among US reproductive-aged women
Authors
Jinyan Zhao
Qing Chen
Xiang Xue
Publication date
06-03-2023
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Sleep and Breathing / Issue 5/2023
Print ISSN: 1520-9512
Electronic ISSN: 1522-1709
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-023-02802-7

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