How Melatonin Timing Changes with Age: DLMO Patterns Across the Lifespan
How Does Melatonin Timing Change as We Age and Between Men and Women?
Melatonin timing shows significant changes across the lifespan and between sexes, with DLMO (Dim Light Melatonin Onset) occurring progressively earlier with aging and showing consistent differences between males and females. Research reveals that children and teenagers have later DLMO timing (often after 10 PM), adults show intermediate timing (8-10 PM), and older adults demonstrate earlier timing (6-8 PM). Additionally, females typically show DLMO occurring 30-60 minutes earlier than males at most ages, reflecting fundamental differences in circadian timing between sexes.