Waking Up Tired in Menopause? The Culprit Might Be Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea

Menopause changes a lot about how our bodies work - and often, how we sleep. Many women expect hot flushes, night sweats and occasional insomnia. But if you’re waking up feeling unrefreshed, dragging yourself through the day, and wondering why your energy has disappeared, the culprit might not just be menopause. It could be undiagnosed sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea happens when the airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, leading to pauses in breathing. This can cause frequent mini-awakenings - sometimes without you even realising it - that leave you feeling as if you haven’t slept at all.¹

Here’s what many don’t realise: postmenopausal women are two to three times more likely to develop sleep apnea than premenopausal women.¹ This increased risk is thought to be linked to lower levels of hormones estrogen and progesterone.² Weight gain - common around menopause - can also play a role, as fat distribution changes may contribute to airway obstruction.² The result? More snoring, more disrupted breathing, and more tired mornings.

But there’s a catch. Sleep apnea in women doesn’t always look like it does in men. You might not have loud snoring, or you might sleep next to a heavy sleeper who never notices your breathing pauses. Instead, you may experience symptoms like daytime fatigue, morning headaches, mood swings, or even what feels like classic insomnia.¹ Many women assume these changes are simply “part of getting older” - and never get checked.

Left untreated, sleep apnea doesn’t just sap your energy. It’s linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.³ The good news? It’s treatable. A sleep study - often done in the comfort of your own home - can confirm a diagnosis. The most common treatment, CPAP therapy, uses a small bedside device and mask to keep the airway open by gently blowing air through it, eliminating symptoms.⁴

You don’t have to accept fatigue as your “new normal”. If you’re postmenopausal and waking up tired despite a full night’s sleep, speak to your doctor. Ask whether a sleep study might be right for you. The sooner you get answers, the sooner you can wake up refreshed – and get back to feeling like yourself again.

How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help

Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time.

If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au.

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply.

References

1. “Untangling the Mysteries of Sleep in Menopause.” Woolcock.org.au, 2023, www.woolcock.org.au/news/untangling-the-mysteries-of-sleep-in-menopause.
2. Grainger, Suzanne. “Menopause and Sleep - Australasian Menopause Society.” Menopause.org.au, 2024, menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/menopause-and-sleep.
3. Girardin Jean-Louis, et al. “Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease: Role of the Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components.” Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine : JCSM : Official Publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, vol. 4, no. 3, 15 June 2008, p. 261, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2546461/.
4. McCrimmon, Katie Kerwin, and UCHealth. “Overnight Cure for Poor Sleep: The Benefits of CPAP.” UCHealth Today, 2 June 2020, www.uchealth.org/today/benefits-of-cpap-for-sleep-apnea/.