Hot flushes, night sweats, restlessness and disrupted sleep are common challenges for women experiencing hormonal changes. Whether during perimenopause, menopause, pregnancy or other hormonal transitions, getting a good night’s sleep can often feel frustratingly out of reach.
While many women focus on supplements, lifestyle changes or sleep routines, one often overlooked factor is the sleep environment itself. To better understand the role bedding can play in sleep comfort, Soak&Sleep partnered with The House of Hormones to explore whether sleeping under a breathable wool duvet could support better rest, temperature regulation and overall wellbeing.
The study followed 30 women experiencing a range of hormonal stages and conditions, including perimenopause, menopause, pregnancy, PCOS and endometriosis. Participants used Soak&Sleep’s New Zealand Mitchell Wool Duvet and shared their experiences throughout the trial.
Why Sleep Can Be Disrupted During Hormonal Changes
Before the study began, 96% of participants reported that sleep disruption negatively affected their overall wellbeing.
Many experienced:
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Anxiety or racing thoughts
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Restlessness
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Night sweats or hot flushes
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Difficulty falling asleep
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Waking during the night or too early
The impact extended beyond bedtime. Participants reported challenges with energy levels, productivity, concentration, mood and confidence, highlighting the important relationship between sleep quality and overall wellbeing.
Only 30% of women were satisfied with their existing bedding, while 87% believed their bedding played a role in sleep quality.
What Changed After Using the Wool Duvet?
The results revealed significant improvements across sleep comfort, temperature regulation and overall wellbeing.
Key Findings at a Glance
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90% reported improved sleep comfort and overall sleep experience
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85% experienced better temperature regulation
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82% felt more relaxed and prepared for sleep
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81% felt more rested in the morning
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70% experienced fewer night-time disruptions
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85% reported improved overall wellbeing
These findings suggest that creating a more supportive sleep environment may help women feel more comfortable during hormonal transitions.
Expert Commentary from The House of Hormones
Leah Christian, Psychologist, Certified Menopause Wellness Coach and Founder of The House of Hormones, said:
"This has been one of the most impressive THOH inHouse Studies we’ve conducted to date. We saw some of our highest results ever, with over 90% of women reporting improved comfort and sleep experience. What’s particularly powerful is that this wasn’t about ‘fixing’ sleep, it was about supporting it. The Soak&Sleep wool duvet clearly enhanced how women experienced rest, even alongside ongoing hormonal disruption, which is a hugely important shift in how we think about women’s sleep health!"
Better Comfort, Better Sleep
After introducing the wool duvet into their sleep routine, participants frequently reported feeling more comfortable and supported throughout the night.
In fact, 90% rated the duvet as comfortable or very comfortable, while 82% said they felt more relaxed or prepared for sleep at bedtime.
Many participants also described a greater sense of cosiness and comfort, helping them settle more easily into their nightly routine.
Improved Temperature Regulation
Temperature fluctuations are one of the most common sleep challenges associated with hormonal changes.
The study found:
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85% noticed improved temperature regulation
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76% felt too hot or too cold less often during the night
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70% experienced fewer night-time disruptions or bedding adjustments
These findings suggest that breathable bedding may help create a more comfortable sleeping environment, even when hormonal symptoms persist.
Better Sleep, Better Days
The benefits weren’t limited to sleep alone.
Among participants who reported improved wellbeing, many noticed positive changes in:
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Mood
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Energy and motivation
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Concentration and reduced brain fog
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Productivity
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Confidence and self-esteem
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Relationships and intimacy
Overall, 85% said the experience had a positive impact on their wellbeing, highlighting the wider effects restorative sleep can have on everyday life.
Why Wool?
Wool is a naturally breathable and moisture-wicking fibre that helps regulate body temperature throughout the night.
Unlike synthetic fillings, wool can respond to changes in temperature and humidity, helping sleepers stay comfortable whether they are feeling too warm or too cool. It can also absorb and release moisture efficiently, helping to create a fresher and more balanced sleep environment.
While bedding alone cannot eliminate hormonal sleep disruption, choosing breathable natural fibres may help support more comfortable and restorative rest.
Participant Experience
One participant entering menopause reported regularly waking throughout the night feeling overheated and unsettled.
After several weeks using the wool duvet, she described feeling more comfortable overnight, waking less frequently due to temperature fluctuations and feeling noticeably more refreshed in the morning.
While individual experiences naturally vary, stories like these reflect many of the broader trends observed across the study.
Expert Insight
The study reinforces an important message: while hormonal changes can influence sleep quality, the sleep environment itself remains a factor within our control.
By choosing breathable, temperature-regulating bedding, women may be able to create conditions that support more comfortable sleep, improved rest and enhanced wellbeing.
Sleep is an Everyday Essential
We often view bedding as a household purchase, but in reality it’s part of our daily wellbeing. We spend around a third of our lives in bed, and the quality of our sleep can influence how we feel, think and function each day.
While bedding cannot solve hormonal symptoms on its own, creating a comfortable and supportive sleep environment may help make nights more restful and mornings more manageable. For many women in The House of Hormones trial, improvements in comfort and temperature regulation translated into benefits that extended far beyond the bedroom.
The Takeaway
The House of Hormones trial suggests that breathable wool bedding may support women experiencing hormonal transitions by:
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Improving sleep comfort
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Enhancing temperature regulation
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Reducing night-time disturbances
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Supporting better relaxation before sleep
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Promoting a greater sense of overall wellbeing
For women navigating hormonal changes, creating a comfortable and supportive sleep environment could be a simple but meaningful step towards better rest. Alongside our New Zealand wool duvet, we also offer matching New Zealand wool pillows and a New Zealand wool mattress topper, helping you create a complete sleep sanctuary designed for comfort, temperature regulation and restorative sleep.
