Having a hard time catching sleep at night is a common problem. The continuous encounter of sleep disorders is alarming. Sleep apnea is a common type of sleep disorder. This disorder happens when someone encounters difficulty in breathing while sleeping. Breathing may stop during sleep. A condition with metabolic interactions could also be a cause of sleep apnea. This sleep disorder may also occur due to hormonal problems.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the typical type of apnea. OSA is a repetitive collapse of the upper respiratory tract while sleeping. About 2% of women experience this type of apnea. Obesity is one main reason why this disorder is rising. People suffering from obstructive sleep apnea are at high risk of endocrine disorders. Changes in female hormones trigger sleep apnea to happen. Hormonal imbalance may also lead to conflicts in the body system.
Primary ways that affect women’s sleep:
Women’s hormones have huge effects on appetite and mood. But changes in hormones may also affect sleep. There are 50 hormones inside a woman’s body. Each hormone plays an important role. Estrogen and progesterone are the two major types of female hormones. Estrogen is the main sex hormone of females. It works for a monthly menstrual cycle. Progesterone has something to do with the pregnancy stage. Changes in these female hormones may affect sleep along the way.
Menstrual Stage
Hormonal inconstancy can affect the way of sleeping for women. The week before the period, progesterone levels rise. It is a preparation for a potential pregnancy. If there is no fertilization, the levels of progesterone will decrease. Only by then, the menstrual process begins.
The dipping down of a woman’s progesterone is a reason why women can’t get enough amounts of sleep. During these “PMS” days, women are having a hard time falling asleep. But as progesterone levels rise after menstrual days, sleeping comes more.
Pregnancy Stage
During the pregnancy stage, sleep problems occur due to a change in hormone levels. The rise of progesterone may lead to excessive sleepiness during the daytime. These hormonal changes may have a bridle effect on muscles that result in snoring. For obese women, bridle effects on tissue may develop sleep apnea. These discomforts during the pregnancy stage lead to loss of sleep.
Anxiety and emotions about labor may trigger the occurrence of sleeping hours deficiency. Prioritizing sleep is vital for pregnant women. Managing sleepless nights well during the early stage of pregnancy is a good start.
Menopause Stage
When women are about to reach the menopause stage, the hormone levels alter. The fluctuation of hormone levels causes hot flashes and night sweats. This instance wakes the brain during sleep.
According to research, estrogen and progesterone could defend women against sleep apnea. But menopause hinders that kind of benefit from happening. Older women are more prone to sleep apnea than men. Oxygen deprivation may awake a sleeping person at night.
In general, women on a post-menopausal stage encounter less satisfaction with sleep. There are about 61% reports of insomnia symptoms too. At this stage, obstructive sleep apnea is most likely to occur. Gasp in breathing is a severe symptom of a sleep disorder.
Hormonal problems of women may affect sleep in so many aspects. You may consult our specialist now and find answers to your questions. At United Sleep Apnea, we care about your health condition. Dial (888) 212-8379 now. You may also visit our website https://unitedsleepapnea.com/contact for an appointment.s for an appointment. hormon