Do Severe Hot Flashes Mean That You Have Sleep Apnea?

For many premenopausal and postmenopausal women, hot flashes are just a fact of life, and unfortunately, they often cause sleep disturbances, though many women simply try to ignore them. However, in a new study recently published by The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), women who suffered from severe hot flashes were almost twice as likely to also have sleep apnea. What is the connection between the two? We discuss it today, and whether or not hot flashes mean you need to get sleep testing.

The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Hot Flashes

For the study mentioned above, 1,691 midlife women were asked to complete a questionnaire. Of these women, almost 25% were determined to be at an intermediate or high-risk for having obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This was largely attributed to the women’s age, the fact that many of them had higher body-mass indexes, and their rates of hypertension. However, the one statistic that really stuck out was the one we mentioned in our intro: women who reported having severe hot flashes were almost twice as likely to have OSA. Why was this the case?

While the connection between hot flashes and sleep apnea is somewhat clear, the reasons for it currently are not. Sleep apnea can be caused by a number of factors, including weight, age, and blood pressure, all of which were factors for the women questioned. While the study was able to determine that sleep disorders are definitely more common for menopausal women (affecting about 53% of the subjects), the exact reason for this is currently unknown. This study will likely lead to more to examine the connection more closely.

When You Should Get Help

So you’re experiencing hot flashes and not sleeping well…does that mean that you definitely have sleep apnea? Not necessarily, but it’s still a good idea to consult a professional to make sure. Sleep apnea tends to manifest itself a little differently in women compared to men, so keep an eye out for the following symptoms:

• Insomnia
• Morning headaches
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Anxiety

If you’re dealing with these issues in addition to troubled sleep and hot flashes, you should definitely consult your doctor and let them know. They’ll likely advise that you have a sleep study completed, and from there, they’ll be able to determine if you have sleep apnea and what might be the best course of treatment.

What to Remember

While the reasons for the connection between hot flashes and sleep apnea are currently unclear, one fact that is definitive is that pre and postmenopausal women are much more likely to suffer from OSA. So, if you’re experiencing sleep problems for a few weeks at a time, please don’t hesitate to contact your doctor. With their help, you can finally start getting the rest you need to enjoy this new phase of your life.

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is a certified sleep dentist who has been practicing in Jupiter, FL for over 30 years. At his practice, he uses oral appliance therapy to successfully treat OSA, providing the CPAP alternative many patients desire. If you’re concerned that you might have sleep apnea, he can help, so don’t wait to contact him today.