Gender Differences in Sleep Apnea Symptoms and Diagnosis

Approximately 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and of those, 1 in 4 are comprised of middle-aged men. The most common signs and symptoms of OSA – seen very often in men – include:

• Loud snoring
• Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
• Morning headaches and/or morning dry mouth
• Gasping for breath during sleep
• Repeated episodes during which you stop breathing while asleep (usually reported by a bed partner)
• Irritability
• Decreased libido
• Difficulty focusing while awake
• Frequent nighttime urination
• Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)

Several factors can put individuals at increased risk for OSA. These again are more commonly seen in men, and include but are not limited to:

• Excess weight/obesity
• Large neck circumference 
• A narrowed airway
• Family history of OSA

It must be noted that the signs, symptoms, and risk factors listed above, though most commonly presented in men, are potential indicators of Obstructive Sleep Apnea for both men and women. Each, or a combination of any, is a reason to talk to your doctor about getting tested and treated for OSA, potentially with a SomnoMed oral device.

We’ll also note, however, that if you’re a woman, you may be suffering from sleep apnea without experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. The signs and symptoms of sleep apnea in women are sometimes not the same as those experienced by men. We investigate what to look out for below.

Women and Sleep Apnea

Nearly 1 in 5 women have sleep apnea in the US – but about 9 in 10 women with sleep apnea don’t know they have it. For many women, signs of sleep apnea may be mistaken for menopause or depression, or there may not even be many obvious symptoms present at all.

Some overlap in OSA signs and symptoms commonly seen in both men and women include but are not limited to restless sleep, frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom, loud snoring, gasping for breath, and/or the repeated stopping of breathing while asleep. Less common signs of OSA in women may include:

• Nighttime heartburn
• Accident proneness
• Depression and/or anxiety 
• Changes in dreaming

Women with sleep apnea also may not report the typical symptom of daytime sleepiness, which is commonly reported by men suffering from sleep apnea. 

Even without common OSA symptoms, certain medical conditions experienced commonly by women can also automatically put them at higher risk for sleep apnea. Among these are Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), menopause, and hypothyroidism (low thyroid function).

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