U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know
Here’s how you know

**Official websites use .gov**
A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
A **lock** ( A locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Search Query:
			MAIN MENU

																				
              Health Topics
								All Health Topics A-Z
					
													
		

		Asthma


				

															Heart-Healthy Living


				

															High Blood Pressure


				

															Sickle Cell Disease


				

															Sleep Apnea


				

															Information & Resources on COVID-19
																				
              Health Education
								Education Programs and Initiatives
					
													
		

		The Heart Truth®


				

															Learn More Breathe Better®


				

															Blood Diseases and Disorders Education Program


				

															Publications and Resources
																				
              The Science
								Research Focus Areas
					
													
		

		Blood Disorders and Blood Safety


				

															Sleep Science and Sleep Disorders


				

															Lung Diseases


				

															Health Disparities and Inequities


				

															Heart and Vascular Diseases


				

															Precision Medicine Activities


				

															Obesity, Nutrition, and Physical Activity


				

															Population and Epidemiology Studies


				

															Women’s Health


				

															Research Topics


				

															Clinical Trials


				

															All Science A-Z
																				
              Grants and Training
								Grants and Training Home


				

															Policies and Guidelines


				

															Funding Opportunities and Contacts


				

															Training and Career Development
																				
              News and Events
								News and Events Home
					
													
		

		Email Alerts


				

															All News
					
													
		

		NHLBI News


				

															NHLBI in the Press


				

															Research Features


				

															All Events
					
													
		

		Past Events


				

															Upcoming Events
																				
              About NHLBI
								About NHLBI Home
					
													
		

		Mission and Strategic Vision


				

															Leadership


				

															Divisions, Offices and Centers


				

															Advisory Committees


				

															Budget and Legislative Information


				

															Jobs and Working at the NHLBI


				

															Contact and FAQs


				

															NIH Sleep Research Plan
						
						HOME
		Search Text: Sleep Apnea
HomeHealth Topics< Back ToSleep ApneaSleep Apnea and Women

0
  Sleep Apnea
        MENU

    HomeHealth Topics< Back ToSleep ApneaSleep Apnea and Women

  What Is Sleep Apnea?
                                                  
                          Symptoms
                                                  
                          Diagnosis
                                                  
                          Causes and Risk Factors
                                                  
                          Treatment
                                                  
                          Living With
                                                  
                          Sleep Apnea and Women
MORE INFORMATION
                        Find a clinical trial
                        Fact sheets and handouts
                            Research
    
          Sleep Apnea
Sleep ApneaSleep Apnea and Women

Language switcherEnglishEspañol

Women may be more at risk for sleep apnea during pregnancy, or during and after menopause, because of hormone changes. Hormone problems in women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) may also raise the risk of sleep apnea.

          
Sleep apnea symptoms in women

            Sleep apnea symptoms may be different for women compared with men. Women more often have the following symptoms:

Anxiety
	Daytime sleepiness
	Depression
	Headaches, especially in the morning
	Insomnia
	Tiredness
	Waking up often during sleepBecause you may not have common sleep apnea symptoms such as snoring, you may not think that you have this condition. It is important that you talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms or if you have any risk factors for sleep apnea.

          
Sleep apnea and pregnancy

            During pregnancy, changes to a woman’s upper airway or to the way the brain controls breathing raise a woman’s risk of sleep apnea or make it worse. Sleep apnea is often more serious in the third trimester of pregnancy and may improve after your baby is born. Pregnant women who are older or who have obesity have a higher risk of sleep apnea. In pregnant women, sleep apnea can cause many complications, including:

Cesarean sections
	Gestational diabetes
	High blood pressure
	Low birth weight
	Preterm birthBreathing devices such as CPAP machines are safe for treating sleep apnea during pregnancy. Because pregnancy causes changes to your body, you may need to see a sleep specialist to adjust the settings of your CPAP machine during and after your pregnancy.


  Research for your health

NHLBI research found that sleep apnea may raise the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Our current research will help develop new and improved treatments for sleep apnea to help prevent these complications.
      
                                                                                                                            Learn more about the research we support on sleep apnea.
Book traversal links for Sleep Apnea and Women
      Previous
                    Living With
  Last updated on March 24, 2022 Back To Top Link
  

        

        Back to top
  Web Policies & Notices
  

        

              Accessibility
                      No FEAR Act Data
                      Privacy Policy
                      Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
                      HHS Vulnerability Disclosure
    
          Related Government Websites
  

        

              Health and Human Services
                      National Institutes of Health
                      Office of the Inspector General
                      USA.gov
    
          Stay Connected
    
      
            chat bubblesLive ChatLive Chat with us, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.envelopeGet Email AlertsReceive automatic alerts about NHLBI related news and highlights from across the Institute.
  Footer Bottom
  

        



Contact Us
                            Site Index
                            Jobs