Common indicators of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) include snoring, daytime fatigue, and physical signs of apnoeic episodes such as choking or gasping during sleep. Most of which have been observed in male studies.

Recent reports have found that women are just as likely to suffer from sleep apnea but their symptoms are different, and therefore often mistaken for other changes within their body. Symptoms can be confused with:

- Onset of menopause

- Changes of cognitive function during pregnancy, aka “Baby Brain”

- Getting older

- Hormonal imbalances

- Leading a busy and/or stressful lifestyle

Females with OSA show less signs of daytime sleepiness and fatigue, and instead experience other conditions such as insomnia, restless legs, depression, and hypertension¹. In addition, research indicates that women can become more susceptible to sleep disordered breathing during pregnancy and post-menopause due to hormonal changes².

Compared to women who do not suffer from OSA, women with untreated sleep-disordered breathing are more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment and, in some cases, dementia³. Untreated severe OSA is associated with cardiovascular disease and can heavily impact the quality of ones life, however adequate CPAP therapy may reduce this risk⁴.

Potential health risks aside, there is often a stigma surrounding women who snore, with it being considered “un-ladylike” or stereotyped as someone who is unhealthy or overweight. Studies show this is not the case.

There are sometimes fears that having to wear a CPAP Mask in bed will make them undesirable to their partner, or that their size is putting them at a higher health risk, which understandably causes women to avoid seeking help or discussing treatment options with partners, family or physicians.

Sleep apnea is just as common in women as it is in men. The symptoms in women appear differently regardless of age, weight, and family history therefore it should not be ruled out without appropriate testing. Lack of awareness or open discussion about sleep apnea can often lead to many ladies being undiagnosed, which is why our aim is to remove the stigma and encourage women who may be at risk, to seek the help and support they need.