This webinar will examine how sleep and emotional regulation are uniquely shaped by reproductive hormones across the female lifespan, from adolescence through menopause. Drawing on emerging research and clinical models, Dr. Meers will explore how fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone alter vulnerability to sleep disorders like OSA and insomnia, as well as co-occurring emotional problems. Implications for dental sleep medicine will be highlighted, particularly in the identification and management of women with comorbid insomnia, OSA, and emotional distress.
Jessica Meers, PhD
Objectives
At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
Speaker Bio
Dr. Jessica Meers, PhD, DBSM, is an Assistant Professor of Sleep Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine based in Houston, Texas. Her research focuses on the interaction between sleep, emotion, and women’s health, with emphasis on how reproductive functioning influences sleep regulation, emotional processing, and insomnia vulnerability. Dr. Meers has published extensively in this area, including work examining sleep, circadian rhythms, and mental health across the lifespan. She is board certified in Behavioral Sleep Medicine, a specialty that applies evidence-based psychological and behavioral interventions to the treatment of sleep disorders such as insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, and comorbid sleep and medical conditions. In addition to her research, Dr. Meers directs Rhythm Wellness, where she specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and women’s sleep health. Her work bridges clinical care and translational research, with the goal of improving sleep and emotional well-being through science-driven, patient-centered approaches.