The impact of poor sleep on women's midlife transition: A qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis

Background: Sleep disturbance is a common and distressing symptom of the menopausal transition, and the lived
experiences of women with regard to its cognitive, emotional, personal, and professional impacts need further
exploration. This study examined midlife women's experiences of poor sleep and its impact on daily functioning,
family life, and work.
Methods: A qualitative study was undertaken with six cisgender women aged 45–55 years who self-reported poor
sleep linked to menopause. Semi-structured online interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed following
guidelines for interpretative phenological analysis.
Results: Five themes were identified: the physical, cognitive, and emotional consequences of sleep loss; efforts to
regain control through routines and trial-and-error coping; the influence of poor sleep on family relationships
and identity; workplace strain and reduced capacity; and, rooted in strength, the unseen battle of women's
persistence, resilience, and hope. Women described poor sleep as profoundly affecting daily life, reducing
cognition, energy, and confidence, and contributing to irritability. These difficulties stretched relationships and
undermined work performance. Although participants showed resilience, they often relied on trial-and-error
strategies due to inconsistent professional guidance.
Conclusion: Fragmented healthcare support and limited workplace understanding of sleep disturbance during
menopause highlight the need for routine clinical screening, clearer care pathways, and supportive occupational
environments. Further research requires more diverse groups of women, exploring structural barriers such as
difficulty accessing specialist menopause care, delays in appointments, prescription costs, and workplace stigma
to support more equitable and accessible interventions for women experiencing menopause-related sleep
disruption.