Sleep Apnea and Menopause, What St. Louis Women Need to Know
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Sleep Apnea in Women Around Menopause: Why It Matters in St. Louis and Surrounding Communities
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. While it affects millions of Americans, it is frequently underdiagnosed in women, especially those who are premenopausal or have recently passed through menopause. In communities throughout St. Louis, including Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Chesterfield, Ballwin, Manchester, Fenton, Arnold, and nearby areas, many women attribute their symptoms to stress, aging, or hormonal changes without realizing that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be the underlying cause.
Hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause significantly increase a woman’s risk of developing sleep apnea. Estrogen and progesterone play a role in maintaining muscle tone in the upper airway and supporting stable breathing during sleep. As hormone levels decline, the airway becomes more prone to collapse, increasing the likelihood of breathing interruptions. Research shows that the prevalence of sleep apnea in postmenopausal women is two to three times higher than in premenopausal women.
Why Sleep Apnea Looks Different in Women
Sleep apnea symptoms in women often differ from the classic signs most people recognize, such as loud snoring or gasping for air. Instead, women in St. Louis and surrounding suburbs may experience more subtle symptoms, including:
Chronic fatigue or low energy
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Morning headaches
Brain fog or trouble concentrating
Mood changes, anxiety, or depression
Nighttime awakenings or frequent urination
Because these symptoms overlap with common menopausal complaints, sleep apnea in women often goes undiagnosed for years. Untreated sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cognitive decline, making early identification especially important during midlife.
CPAP Therapy and CPAP Intolerance
Continuous positive airway pressure, commonly known as CPAP therapy, is often prescribed to treat moderate to severe sleep apnea. CPAP works by delivering steady air pressure through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep. When tolerated and used consistently, CPAP can be highly effective.
However, many women struggle with CPAP intolerance. Discomfort from the mask, feelings of claustrophobia, dry mouth, nasal congestion, and difficulty sleeping with equipment can all lead patients to stop using CPAP altogether. For women who cannot tolerate CPAP, untreated sleep apnea remains a serious concern.
Oral Appliance Therapy as a CPAP Alternative
For patients with CPAP intolerance, oral appliance therapy offers a proven alternative for treating mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Oral appliances are custom-made devices worn during sleep that gently reposition the jaw and tongue to help keep the airway open.
Oral appliance therapy is often preferred by women because it is comfortable, quiet, and easy to travel with. Benefits include improved sleep quality, reduced snoring, increased daytime energy, and better long-term compliance compared to CPAP for many patients. These appliances are prescribed after proper diagnosis and are fitted by dental sleep medicine providers working alongside sleep physicians.
Sleep Apnea Care for Women in St. Louis
Women living in St. Louis, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Chesterfield, Ballwin, Manchester, Fenton, Arnold, and nearby communities should know that worsening sleep, fatigue, or mood changes are not something they have to accept as “normal.” If symptoms feel more severe than typical menopause-related changes, a professional sleep evaluation can make a meaningful difference.
Ellis Sleep Center, led by Dr. Holly Ellis, provides personalized sleep apnea care for adults throughout the St. Louis area, with a focus on oral appliance therapy for patients who struggle with CPAP. Our team is dedicated to helping women improve their sleep, protect their long-term health, and feel more like themselves again.
If you are a woman in St. Louis or the surrounding communities and are struggling with poor sleep, ongoing fatigue, or symptoms that feel more than “just menopause,” you do not have to figure it out alone. Ellis Sleep Center offers personalized evaluations and proven treatment options, including oral appliance therapy for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP. Schedule a complimentary consultation to take the first step toward better sleep and better health.