Written by Robbie Durand
20 April 2008
Aging is associated with disrupted sleep such as greater sleep fragmentation, poorer sleep efficiency, and lighter sleep (less slow-wave sleep) than younger individuals.  Researchers examined 1312 older men and examined the relationship between testosterone and time spent sleeping and sleep quality. Total testosterone levels were highest in men who slept 7 to 8 hours and lowest in men who slept less than 5 hours.  Older men with lower testosterone levels

had (on average) a lower percentage of time in bed spent asleep and a higher proportion spent awake after sleep onset. Individuals with lower testosterone had a higher incidence of nocturnal hypoxemia (sleep apnea), compared to individuals with higher testosterone levels. In summary, lower testosterone levels were associated with decreased sleep efficiency and increased nocturnal awakenings. Lower testosterone levels were also associated with more severe sleep-disordered breathing.  Hormone therapy for men maybe the key to getting a good night sleep for aging men.

 

Barrett-Connor E, Dam TT, Stone K, Harrison SL, 
Redline S, Orwoll E; for the Osteoporotic Fractures in
Men (MrOS) Study Group. The association of testosterone
 levels with overall sleep quality, sleep architecture, and
sleep-disordered breathing. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008
.