Women in the Menopausal Period

This randomized, parallel-group study will examine how artificial light exposure during nighttime awakenings affects sleep and brain health in midlife women experiencing vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Participants will be randomly assigned to exposure to either typical indoor-intensity light (approximately 100 lux) or dim light (less than 3 lux) during the night. The study will assess the effects of nighttime light exposure on sleep fragmentation, daytime alertness and sleepiness, stress responses, cognitive and emotional functioning, and daily functioning. It will also explore whether sleep fragmentation helps explain the effects of nighttime light exposure on stress and neuropsychological health. The findings may inform strategies to reduce nighttime light exposure and improve sleep and brain health in women during and after the menopause transition.