Yes, Women Get Sleep Apnea Too — Here's What to Know

 

Sleep apnea is often thought of as a man’s condition — but that assumption can leave millions of women tired, frustrated, and undiagnosed. In reality, sleep apnea affects both men and women, though it doesn’t always look the same.

Because many women don’t exhibit the “classic” symptoms associated with sleep apnea, their struggles with fatigue, poor sleep, or mood changes are often misattributed to stress, aging, or hormones. The result? Women may go years without realizing their sleep is being disrupted by a treatable medical condition.

Sleep Apnea Doesn’t Always Look Like Snoring

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) causes brief, repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, often due to airway blockage. While loud snoring, gasping, and observed pauses in breathing are common in men, women tend to report more subtle or varied symptoms, including:

  • Difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia)

  • Waking up feeling unrefreshed

  • Morning headaches

  • Irritability, mood swings, or depression

  • Daytime fatigue or mental fog

  • Nighttime awakenings with a sense of panic or restlessness

Many women with sleep apnea don’t snore loudly, or they may snore only lightly — which makes it easier for symptoms to be overlooked.

Why It Matters: Sleep Apnea Poses Real Health Risks

Untreated sleep apnea doesn’t just make you tired — it can have serious health consequences. Over time, it increases the risk of:

  • High blood pressure

  • Heart disease

  • Stroke

  • Type 2 diabetes

  • Cognitive decline

  • Hormonal disruption (especially during menopause)

In women, the symptoms of sleep apnea can worsen during key hormonal shifts — such as pregnancy or menopause — making it even more important to pay attention to changes in sleep quality or energy levels.

Why Women Often Get Overlooked

Historically, sleep apnea research and diagnostic criteria have been based largely on men. As a result, many healthcare providers still associate OSA with traits more common in men: large neck circumference, loud snoring, and visible apneas during sleep.

Because of these outdated assumptions, women are less likely to be referred for a sleep study — and more likely to be diagnosed later, after symptoms have worsened or health complications have developed.

What You Can Do if You Suspect Sleep Apnea

If you’re consistently tired despite getting enough sleep, or if you experience any of the symptoms listed above, it’s worth exploring further.

  • Talk to your provider about a home sleep test

  • Pay attention to changes in your energy, mood, or ability to concentrate

  • Don’t dismiss chronic tiredness as “normal”

  • Ask a sleep health provider if your symptoms could be related to disrupted breathing at night

Better Sleep is Possible

At BetterNight, we make it easy to get the information and treatment you need:

  • Telehealth consultations with board-certified sleep specialists

  • At-home sleep testing, shipped directly to your door

  • Personalized therapy and ongoing coaching, tailored to your needs

Whether you snore or not, whether you’re in your 30s or 60s — if you’re exhausted, you deserve support. Click here to learn more.

 
Sleep HealthDominic Munafo M.D. FABSMobstructive sleep apnea, womens health