There is some good news: because the causes of poor period sleep are often practical (leaking, discomfort) rather than hormonal, we can take some simple steps to help. Here, the experts share their top tips for a decent, leak-free slumber.

“A lack of sleep can really contribute to the fatigue that many of us feel during our period,” says Longden-Jefferson, “but there are a few ways you can avoid a period hangover.”

1. Regulate your temperature

“Our bodies run hot during our periods, and when we are asleep our core body temperature needs to drop a couple of degrees to get access to the good quality sleep we need,” Shore explains. “Avoid hot showers/baths (warm is OK and can be relaxing) or exercise before bed and wear light, cool pyjamas. If you struggle with overheating throughout the night, try avoiding things like memory foam mattresses, as these can hold onto heat and make you hotter. A cold damp flannel or cold glass of water can help on particularly bad nights.”

2. Gentle exercise

“This might be the last thing you feel like doing when you’re on your period, but trust us, it’s worth a try,” says Longden-Jefferson. “Exercise releases endorphins which are your body’s natural mood boosters and pain relievers and it will also pump up your energy.”

3. Eat a balanced diet

We know the cravings can be hard to resist during your period, but processed foods will play havoc with your blood sugar levels which in turn can make your energy dip. Try to keep things balanced and include a lot of complex carbs, nuts and seeds and good fats that will help fight fatigue.

4. Establish a sleep routine

Humans thrive on routine and consistency, and our bodies work best when they know what to expect – even more so when it comes to sleep, periods or no periods.

“We should ideally be going to sleep and waking up every day at the same time, even on weekends,” says Shore. “This means our bodies will be used to producing the right hormones at the right time of day (sleep hormones such as melatonin in the evening and wake-promoting hormones such as cortisol for the day). Producing the right hormones at the right time means we will fall asleep easier and wake up easier, leaving us feeling more refreshed.”

Say goodbye to those weekend lie-ins.

Is your period messing with your sleep? You could be dealing with a ‘period hangover’