Sleep Apnea and PCOS: Are They Connected?

Medically reviewed by Steven C. Pugliese, M.D.

Written by Anastasia Climan, RDN, CDN

Posted on July 23, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), previously known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), is a hormonal condition that shares a surprising connection with sleep apnea.

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Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) is the new name for a condition you may know as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The term “PMOS” helps describe the underlying driver of the disease: hormones. So what does that have to do with sleep apnea?

It turns out that many people with PMOS also have sleep apnea. While one condition doesn’t cause the other, they share some risk factors.

Here’s what to know about PMOS and sleep apnea, as well as what this connection may mean for you.

How Common Are Sleep Apnea and PCOS?

PMOS affects 13 percent of women in the “childbearing” age group (those between puberty and menopause), according to Frontiers in Endocrinology. It’s a hormonal condition that leads to irregular periods and infertility.

Higher Rates of OSA in Women With PMOS

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be a complication of PMOS. Having PMOS makes women 10 times more likely to have OSA.

Generally, only about 6 percent of women of childbearing age have OSA. But for people with PMOS, the rate of OSA goes up to 37 percent.

People with PMOS also have a higher risk of:

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease)
Mental health disorders
Type 2 diabetes
Uterine and ovarian cancer

Other Groups Most Likely To Have OSA

OSA happens when your airways collapse while you sleep. This blockage leads to frequent sleep disturbances, as you wake up frequently to regain your breath.

Although they can happen together, most people with OSA don’t have PMOS. That may be because OSA is more common in men than in women. Researchers estimate that up to 30 percent of men and 17 percent of women in the United States have OSA, according to StatPearls.

In addition, OSA is also more likely to affect people later in life. Rates increase after age 50.

What Are the Shared Risk Factors?

OSA and PMOS have several risk factors in common. The biggest risk factors they share include:

Insulin resistance (prediabetes or type 2 diabetes)
Overweight and obesity

However, it’s possible to have PMOS or OSA without diabetes or obesity. These conditions also have some genetic links, and they can worsen with certain lifestyle factors, like stress.

Only a healthcare provider can diagnose PMOS and OSA. They’ll start by looking for risk factors and asking about your symptoms. From there, they’ll help you decide what further testing you need.

Which Symptoms Might Be Overlooked?

If you’ve been diagnosed with PMOS, you may be missing the symptoms of sleep apnea. Some of the symptoms are similar to those of PMOS, and you might not realize there’s a separate issue.

For instance, sleep apnea symptoms in women commonly include:

Fatigue
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Poor sleep at night
Mood changes

Sleep apnea can also promote weight gain and other health problems over time.

These symptoms can also occur with PMOS. PMOS impacts hormones and blood sugar levels. As a result, it can indirectly affect your energy levels, mood, sleep, and eating habits.

If you notice any new or worsening symptoms, it’s important to mention them to your healthcare provider. They can help determine whether to test you for another condition or adjust your current treatment plan.

Bloodwork, pelvic exams, and ultrasounds can help diagnose PMOS. To diagnose sleep apnea, you’ll need a sleep study, either at home or in a medical facility.

Should You Get Screened for PMOS?

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea or PMOS, the journey to understand your health shouldn’t stop there. You shouldn’t waste time and money on unnecessary tests. But remember that additional health concerns (comorbidities) are possible over time.

If you have sleep apnea, your healthcare provider may recommend PMOS screening. This screening makes sense if you have other signs or risks of PMOS, such as if you:

Are of childbearing age
Have irregular periods
Are trying to get pregnant but aren’t having any luck
Have signs of hormone imbalance, like acne or hair loss
Have high blood sugar levels or dark patches of skin on your neck or groin

Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea

If you have sleep apnea, it’s crucial to get diagnosed and treated. Leaving sleep apnea untreated can put you at risk for dangerous complications, including:

Accidents
Depression
Heart attacks
Heart failure
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Stroke

Untreated sleep apnea doesn’t just make you tired. It can also affect your metabolism, heart health, and quality of life.

How Are PMOS and Sleep Apnea Treated?

Both OSA and PMOS require unique treatment methods. You’ll see different specialists to get treated, but they should work together on your treatment plan.

An endocrinologist (hormone doctor) or a gynecologist (women’s reproductive doctor) can treat PMOS. For sleep apnea, you’ll need a healthcare provider who specializes in sleep disorders and breathing issues, like a pulmonologist (lung doctor).

PMOS Treatment Options

Treatment for PMOS depends on your symptoms, your overall health, and your goals.

For instance, people who want to get pregnant may need certain fertility treatments. Those who have acne, hair growth changes, or type 2 diabetes may need other treatments to address those concerns.

Hormone treatments can help treat PMOS-related hormone imbalances. These come in the form of birth control pills or progestin therapy, depending on whether you want to get pregnant.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

Sleep apnea involves keeping the airway open. The goal of treatment is to improve nighttime breathing and prevent low oxygen levels and poor sleep quality.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the main treatment for OSA. However, sometimes other nasal devices or oral appliances can help. In rare cases, doctors recommend surgery.

Health experts suspect that consistent use of a CPAP machine may benefit people with OSA and PCOS. However, there’s not a lot of research yet on this topic.

Lifestyle Changes for Both Conditions

Living a healthy lifestyle can go a long way toward managing PMOS and sleep apnea. Your daily habits play a big role in your risk of serious complications, including those related to heart disease.

For example, healthy weight loss can improve treatment success for people with OSA. Losing weight can reduce the severity of OSA symptoms and the chance of long-term complications. The same is true for PMOS.

Physical activity and diet changes can support healthy weight loss. If you need some help to reach your goals, consider getting a personal trainer or meeting with a registered dietitian.