When most people think of sleep apnea, they picture a middle-aged man snoring like a freight train. But here’s the truth: women suffer from sleep apnea too, and far too often it goes unnoticed, undiagnosed, and untreated.

It is time to change that.

Sleep Apnea Is Not Just a Man’s Problem

Historically, our understanding of sleep apnea, from symptoms to diagnosis and treatment, has been based almost entirely on studies focused on men. For decades, clinical trials included 99 to 100 percent male participants. So it is no wonder that when women experience sleep apnea, it often does not match what doctors expect.

Instead of loud snoring and extreme daytime sleepiness, women with sleep apnea often report constant fatigue, insomnia, mood swings, depression, morning headaches, and restless legs. These symptoms are easily mistaken for anxiety, stress, or simply "normal life," especially since women often prioritise family, work, and caregiving over their own health.

Traditional Tests Are Missing Women

It is not just that the symptoms differ. The tools commonly used to diagnose sleep apnea, like the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), are also built around the way men typically present the condition.

Take the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, for example. It asks how likely you are to fall asleep in certain situations. However, women with sleep apnea often feel completely exhausted without actually falling asleep, leading to lower scores and missed diagnoses.

Similarly, the AHI focuses heavily on large drops in oxygen levels, typically four percent or more. Yet women are more likely to experience flow limitation, where subtle breathing disruptions fragment sleep without causing major oxygen drops. When doctors rely only on the AHI, they might assume a woman’s sleep apnea is "mild" or even nonexistent, even though her quality of life is seriously affected.

Mild Sleep Apnea Is Not Mild for Women

Another myth that needs busting is the idea that "mild" sleep apnea is no big deal. In women, even so-called mild cases can wreak havoc, causing fatigue, memory problems, emotional distress, and a serious decline in quality of life.

In fact, studies show that women with mild sleep apnea often report worse sleepiness, lower vitality, and poorer mental health than men with more severe cases.

The bottom line is simple: if a woman feels terrible, she deserves treatment, no matter what the numbers say.

The Stakes Are Higher Than You Think

Leaving sleep apnea untreated is about much more than feeling tired. For women, it significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, cognitive decline, and even premature death.

Research shows that women with untreated sleep apnea are more likely to develop hypertension, depression, and heart disease, even if they are not overweight and even if their AHI looks "mild."

The risk only increases after menopause, when the loss of protective hormones like estrogen and progesterone makes breathing issues during sleep even worse.

What Can We Do About It?

The good news is that change is happening. The sleep health community is starting to recognise the differences in how sleep apnea affects women and is beginning to adjust how it diagnoses and treats the condition.

Here are a few important steps:

1. Smarter Diagnostic Tools

We need to look beyond AHI scores and oxygen drops. New methods like measuring flow limitation, REM sleep disturbances, snore time, and heart rate variability offer a much clearer picture of how sleep apnea presents in women.

2. Tailored Treatments

Innovations like Resmed’s AutoSet for Her algorithm is designed specifically for women’s breathing patterns, are making therapy more effective and more comfortable.

3. Earlier Screening, Especially Around Menopause

Since menopause is a high-risk time for developing sleep apnea, doctors should proactively screen women who report new sleep problems, fatigue, or mood changes.

4. Changing the Conversation

Women need to know that sleep apnea does not always look like loud snoring and nodding off during the day. If you feel exhausted, foggy, moody, or just not yourself, it is worth chatting to your GP or even reaching out to one of our support team members to see if we can help.

5. Support for CPAP Use

Women who have low symptom awareness are at higher risk of discontinuing CPAP therapy. A little extra encouragement and support can make a big difference in helping women stick with treatment and feel better.

Let’s Shine a Light on Women's Sleep Health

For too long, women’s sleep apnea has been hiding in plain sight. It is time to make sure no one is overlooked simply because they do not fit the "typical" picture of a sleep apnea patient.

Better sleep is not just about feeling more rested, although that is a huge bonus. It is about protecting the heart, boosting brain function, lifting mood, and making everyday life feel joyful again.

If you or someone you love is struggling with unexplained fatigue, mood swings, or restless nights, do not wait. Help is available, and it starts with understanding that sleep apnea can look different in women but is just as important to treat.

Every woman deserves to wake up feeling refreshed, strong, and ready to take on the day.

Take our free sleep assessment today!