Nighttime melatonin secretion and sleep architecture: different associations in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women

Sleep quality typically decreases after menopause, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Concentrations of melatonin lower and its secretion profiles different before menopause. However, whether how sleep architecture associated in women reproductive states have not been examined to date. Overnight serum samples were taken from 17 perimenopausal 18 postmenopausal healthy women. was measured with all-night polysomnography recordings. Melatonin concentrations tended be lowest during NREM sleep, higher odds transitions wake sleep. The curves predicted overnight values linear mixed models varied according phases (NREM, REM, Wake) perimenopausal, In perimenopause area under curve (AUC) correlated slow-wave activity (p = 0.043), minimum shorter (SWS) latency 0.029). postmenopause mean maximum AUC SWS percentage 0.044, p 0.029, 0.032), 0.032) 0.037) more awakenings REM age- BMI- adjusted regression models, association between 0.046) concentration remained. relationship differed After high worse Whether these patterns related aging system, decrease menopausal quality, remains elucidated.