November is when the moustaches come out. Movember is back, and every year it nudges the men we love to do something many of them would happily put off forever: pay attention to their health. Prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health. The big stuff.
We'd like to add one more thing to his list this month: sleep. Because the man who swears he "sleeps fine" is very often the one kicking off the covers at 2 a.m., snoring loud enough to rattle the headboard, or padding off to the bathroom for the third time before sunrise. (You know who you are. And if you're reading this on his behalf, you definitely know who he is.)
Here's what Canadian experts are saying about men, sleep and health this fall, plus the answers to the questions we hear most often about night sweats, snoring and why so many men end up converts to bamboo pyjamas.
Why Movember matters (and why we're talking about it)
The numbers are hard to ignore. The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that about 1 in 9 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, with roughly 29,300 men diagnosed in 2026 alone. That's about 80 men every single day.
This fall, Movember and Merck Canada launched the Run It By Your Doctor for Movember Challenge, running until December 8. The idea is simple: do a 10 km run, then sit down with a healthcare provider and go through their "Head-to-Nuts Checklist," covering mental health, prostate cancer, testicular cancer and HPV-related cancers. The message is one we love: be proactive, not reactive.
We're sleepwear people, not doctors. But after more than twenty years of helping customers in our Edmonton-area stores, we know that sleep is often the first place health shows up. Waking up drenched, waking up gasping, waking up to pee every few hours: those aren't just annoyances. They're worth a conversation with a doctor. Consider this your friendly nudge to book that appointment.
The sleep problems men don't talk about
Snoring (and the thing it might be hiding)
A recent Calgary Herald piece laid it out clearly: Canadian men are more than twice as likely as women to be diagnosed with sleep apnea (8.8% compared with 4.0%, according to Statistics Canada). Snoring and sleep apnea both come from a blocked airway during sleep. With snoring the blockage is partial. With apnea, breathing actually stops for a few seconds at a time.
The most striking part? A large Canadian study of adults aged 45 to 85 found that nearly 93% of people at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea had never been diagnosed. Plenty of men are walking around tired and assuming it's just life.
Night sweats
Night sweats aren't only a menopause thing. MyHealth Alberta lists a range of possible causes, including an overactive thyroid, anxiety, too much alcohol and sleep apnea. Medications, a too-warm bedroom and heavy bedding can all play a part too. Sometimes it's simply that he runs hot and is sleeping in the wrong fabric.
Waking up to pee
Getting up once in the night is common. Getting up over and over can wreck sleep. CTV News spoke with urologic surgeon Dr. Dean Elterman about nocturia, the medical name for frequent nighttime bathroom trips, and why it's worth looking into. For many men over 50, a gradually enlarging prostate is part of the story. This is exactly the kind of thing to bring up at a Movember check-up.
Where bamboo comes in
We can't fix snoring with a T-shirt. (We've tried. Kidding.) What we can help with is how comfortable he is in bed, especially if he runs warm. That's why we created our own men's line, Bob's Sleepwear Co., made from a soft 95% bamboo, 5% spandex blend.
- It breathes. Bamboo is light and airy, so body heat can escape instead of getting trapped against his skin.
- It wicks moisture. When he does sweat, bamboo pulls moisture away from the body. Cotton tends to soak it up and stay damp, which is how you end up hot, then clammy, then cold.
- It dries quickly. Less time lying in wet fabric means a better chance of drifting back off.
- It moves with him. A touch of stretch means no twisted pant legs or tugging sleeves when he flips from back to side (which, bonus, is the better position for snorers).
- It's ridiculously soft. This is the part men don't expect. Once they've worn it, the old gym shorts and stretched-out concert tee usually retire on their own.
Our Bob's favourites for cooler, better sleep
The everyday hero: the Bamboo Cooling Short Sleeve Sleep Tee in Charcoal Grey ($60) is our most-stocked men's piece for a reason. It also comes in Black, Olive Green and Midnight Teal. Stocking up? The Bamboo Sleep Tee 4-Pack covers the whole week.
For the hottest sleepers: the Bamboo Moisture-Wicking Sleep Shorts ($75). Maximum airflow, minimum fuss. Yes, even in an Alberta January.
For the guy who likes a little personality: our printed joggers ($90) are where Bob's has the most fun.
- The Hockey Club Jogger, covered in players, trophies and skates. Also available as sleep shorts.
- The Mountains Jogger, with peaks, pines and bison. It doesn't get much more Alberta than that.
- The Dark Red Plaid Jogger, a holiday-morning classic that won't overheat him by the fireplace.
- The Evergreen Dreams Jogger, a cozy, wintry print in deep teal.
For cool bedrooms: the Bamboo Cooling Long Sleeve Sleep Tee ($80) gives him warmth without the trapped-heat problem of flannel.
Browse the full Bob's Sleepwear Co. collection or our wider men's loungewear edit.
Your questions about men and sleep, answered
Why does my husband sweat so much at night?
Often it's the simple stuff: a warm bedroom, a heavy duvet, a nightcap or synthetic pyjamas that trap heat. But night sweats can also be linked to sleep apnea, thyroid issues, anxiety, medications or hormone changes. If he's soaking the sheets regularly, or the sweats come with a fever, unexplained weight loss or a lasting cough, it's time to see a doctor.
Is snoring a sign of sleep apnea?
Not always, but it can be. Loud, persistent snoring, especially with pauses in breathing, gasping or choking sounds, or daytime exhaustion, is worth bringing up with a doctor. Partners are often the first to notice, so if you've heard it, say something.
What helps men stop snoring?
Sleeping on his side instead of his back, cutting back on alcohol before bed, and reaching a healthy weight can all help. A supportive pillow that keeps his head slightly raised may help too. If snoring is loud and nightly, a sleep assessment is the best next step.
Why do men wake up at night to pee?
For many men over 50, a gradually enlarging prostate is a common reason. Drinking a lot in the evening, caffeine, alcohol and certain medications can contribute as well. It's very treatable, so it's worth adding to his Movember check-up list.
How much sleep do men need?
Canada's guidelines recommend 7 to 9 hours a night for adults aged 18 to 64, and 7 to 8 hours for those 65 and older. Quality matters as much as quantity, which is where a cool, comfortable bed earns its keep.
Is bamboo better than cotton for men who run hot?
For most hot sleepers, yes. Cotton is comfortable, but it holds onto moisture. Bamboo is more breathable, wicks sweat away from the skin and dries faster, so he stays cooler and drier through the night.
What's a good gift for a man who's impossible to shop for?
Something he'll use every single night. A Bob's sleep tee and jogger set is our number one answer at the till. Add a bamboo pillowcase and you've given him a cooler night from head to toe.
This Movember, take care of the whole man
Grow the moustache. Run the 10 km. Book the check-up. And then come home to a bed that actually lets him rest. Good sleep isn't a luxury. It's how he shows up for everything else (and for the people who love him).
Find Bob's Sleepwear Co. at all three of our Edmonton-area stores, or shop online. We ship across Canada and around the world.
Here's to better nights,
The Cloud Nine Pajamas team
We're sleepwear experts, not medical professionals. If you have concerns about snoring, night sweats, nighttime urination or prostate health, please talk to your doctor.
