CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to a poll by the National Sleep Foundation, 67 percent of women who menstruate toss and turn for two or three days during each month.1 That’s why Procter & Gamble’s (P&G) Always, the world’s leader in feminine protection, and the National Sleep Foundation are partnering to help women understand the unique biological differences that impact the quality of their sleep. Always, the Official Overnight Pad of the National Sleep Foundation, helps women sleep leak- and worry-free, while the National Sleep Foundation provides healthy sleep tips so women can get their best sleep all month long.
“Always found that many women are wearing the same pad during the day and night, but their protection needs are different, this can cause women to have leaks or worry and then not sleep as well,” said Sarah Innes, P&G North America FemCare Marketing Director. “In our partnership with the National Sleep Foundation, we share a common goal to help women sleep comfortably. This includes making sure a woman has the right protection from Always and tips and advice from the National Sleep Foundation.”
A woman’s quality of sleep is impacted by fluctuating levels of hormones that she experiences throughout the month and over her lifetime.2 According to research by the National Sleep Foundation and others, the three days prior to menstruation and the first four days during are associated with the worst quality of sleep.1 In addition, menstruating women spend the longest amount of time in bed on weeknights (7 hours, 32 minutes on average), with more than two thirds of these women experiencing symptoms of insomnia.1
“Achieving the appropriate amount of sleep is vital, but the quality of sleep is just as important. Biological conditions unique to women, like the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause, affect how well a woman sleeps,” said Fiona C. Baker, PhD, program director of the Human Sleep Research Program at SRI International and a member of the National Sleep Foundation’s Women & Sleep Expert Panel. “Establishing a nighttime routine, especially during her period, is important to sleeping uninterrupted.”
For that time of the month, the Always Maxi Overnight Extra Heavy pad features a larger back to catch leaks quickly when lying down and stays 4x drier versus the leading Regular Maxi pad. While many women have bedtime routines, using the right nighttime products is important for worry-free sleep especially while on their period.
Tips to Sleep Uninterrupted from the National Sleep Foundation
- Relax with Heat. Have trouble sleeping due to bloating, breast tenderness, backaches and pelvic pains during menstruation? Soak in a warm bath or use a heating pad to ease muscular aches and transition into a sleepy mindset.
- Stick To Light Snacks. Researchers stress the importance of not eating at least 2-3 hours before sleep. However, menstruating women often have an increase in appetite. If you can’t resist the urge to snack close to bedtime, avoid heavy portions and stick to a few bites of something light.
- Write Away Your Worries. One in every three women reports a disturbance of sleep during their period.1 Save your restless worries for the daytime. If concerns come to mind, write them in a “worry book” so you can address those issues the next day. Regular exercise may help; exercise at any time of day, but not at the expense of your sleep.
- Turn Down The Lights. When it comes to your bedroom, think dark. A dark bedroom contributes to better sleep. Try light-blocking curtains, shades or blinds, and remember to turn off the TV.
For more tips from the National Sleep Foundation or additional information on the Always product portfolio, visit www.Facebook.com/Always, www.Always.com or www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-and-your-period.
1National Sleep Foundation. 2007 Sleep in America Poll: Women and Sleep. Washington (DC): The Foundation; 2007 Mar.
2Manber & Bootzin, 1997; Shechter, Varin, & Boivin, 2010.
About Procter & Gamble
P&G serves approximately 4.8 billion people around the world with its brands. The Company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Ace®, Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Duracell®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Fusion®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Iams®, Lenor®, Mach3®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, Prestobarba®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, Wella®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.
About The National Sleep Foundation
The National Sleep Foundation is dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. It is well-known for its annual Sleep in America® poll. The Foundation is a charitable, educational and scientific not-for-profit organization located in Washington, DC. Its membership includes researchers and clinicians focused on sleep medicine, health professionals, patients, families affected by drowsy driving and more than 900 healthcare facilities. www.sleepfoundation.org.
