When managing endometriosis, we often focus on hormone balance, diet, and pain relief, but one powerful and often overlooked tool is sleep. In Why We Sleep, neuroscientist Matthew Walker reveals how sleep influences inflammation, immune function, and hormonal regulation, all key players in endometriosis.
While the book doesn’t directly mention endometriosis, the science it presents offers important insights into how poor sleep may worsen symptoms and disrupt healing.
Sleep and the Immune System
Endometriosis is a condition deeply connected to immune dysfunction. Walker explains that sleep deprivation weakens immune surveillance and promotes a pro-inflammatory environment. This means the body is less able to manage or clear endometrial tissue growing outside the uterus, potentially worsening the condition.
Inflammation and Pain Sensitivity
Chronic sleep loss is linked to elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha compounds that are already elevated in people with endometriosis. More inflammation can mean more pain, more flare-ups, and slower recovery.
Hormonal Imbalance and Estrogen Dominance
Poor sleep throws off the delicate balance of reproductive hormones. In Why We Sleep, Walker describes how insufficient sleep alters levels of estrogen, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone. For those with endometriosis – an estrogen-dependent condition – this can lead to increased symptoms or progression of the disease.
Circadian Disruption and Stress Hormones
Irregular sleep patterns and late nights disrupt your circadian rhythm, impacting the release of melatonin (an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory hormone) and cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone). These changes may contribute to increased stress, inflammation, and hormone dysregulation, all of which can aggravate endometriosis.
The Takeaway: Prioritise Rest as Part of Your Management Plan
Quality sleep isn’t just about feeling rested, it’s a vital part of managing inflammation, pain, and hormone balance. If you’re living with endometriosis, improving your sleep habits could help reduce flare-ups, support hormone regulation, and improve overall wellbeing.