Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated episodes of partial or complete airway obstruction during sleep, causing disrupted breathing, poor sleep quality, and excessive daytime fatigue. Women with PCOS are 5-10 times more likely to develop sleep apnea than women without the condition, driven by elevated androgens, insulin resistance, and excess weight—factors that promote airway relaxation and narrowing during sleep. Sleep apnea worsens PCOS by increasing insulin resistance, promoting weight gain, and raising inflammation, creating a harmful feedback loop that makes screening and treatment of sleep disorders an important but often overlooked component of comprehensive PCOS care.