Beyond Counting Sheep: Exploring the Link Between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Sleep Health

March 2023 in “ Seminars in reproductive medicine ”

Nur K. Abdul Jafar, Christie Bennett, Lisa Moran, Darren Mansfield

polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS obstructive sleep apnea OSA cardiometabolic health psychological health

TLDR PCOS often leads to sleep problems, especially obstructive sleep apnea, affecting overall health.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 8-13% of reproductive-aged women and 3-11% of adolescent girls, often leading to compromised sleep, particularly due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adult women. The international PCOS guidelines recommend routine screening for OSA but do not address other sleep health aspects like sleep quality and quantity, likely due to limited and mixed research findings. This review explores the prevalence, risk factors, and mechanisms of sleep problems in PCOS, their impact on cardiometabolic and psychological health, and discusses treatment strategies and future research directions.

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Research cited in this study

12 / 12 results

Recommendations From The 2023 International Evidence-Based Guideline For The Assessment And Management Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

research Recommendations From The 2023 International Evidence-Based Guideline For The Assessment And Management Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

6 citations , August 2023 in “European journal of endocrinology”

The 2023 guideline advises a detailed approach for PCOS, focusing on early detection, lifestyle and medical treatments, and managing health risks.

Effects of Melatonin Administration on Mental Health Parameters, Metabolic and Genetic Profiles in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

research Effects of Melatonin Administration on Mental Health Parameters, Metabolic and Genetic Profiles in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

45 citations , February 2019 in “Journal of Affective Disorders”

Melatonin improved mental health and metabolism in women with PCOS.

Ethnicity, Obesity, and the Prevalence of Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Type 2 Diabetes in PCOS: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression

research Ethnicity, Obesity, and the Prevalence of Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Type 2 Diabetes in PCOS: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression

189 citations , March 2018 in “Human Reproduction Update”

Women with PCOS are more likely to have impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes, especially if they are Asian or obese.

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Meta-Analysis and Review of the Literature

62 citations , July 2017 in “Endocrine connections”

Adults with polycystic ovary syndrome are much more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea.

research The Prevalence and Phenotypic Features of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

767 citations , September 2016 in “Human Reproduction”

Polycystic ovary syndrome affects about 6-10% of women, with varying symptoms and the need for standardized global definitions.

research Sleep Disturbances in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

19 citations , June 2016 in “Gynecological Endocrinology”

Women with PCOS often have more sleep problems than the general population.

research Risk of Psychiatric Disorders Following Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

101 citations , May 2014 in “PLOS ONE”

Women with PCOS have a higher chance of experiencing depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders.

research Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Obese and Nonobese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Healthy Reproductively Normal Women

53 citations , January 2012 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Women with PCOS are more likely to have sleep apnea, mainly if they are obese.

research Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Improves Cardiometabolic Function in Young Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

105 citations , February 2011 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

Treating sleep apnea in young obese women with PCOS can improve heart health and insulin sensitivity.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Complex Condition with Psychological, Reproductive, and Metabolic Manifestations That Impacts Health Across the Lifespan

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Complex Condition with Psychological, Reproductive, and Metabolic Manifestations That Impacts Health Across the Lifespan

926 citations , June 2010 in “BMC Medicine”

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex condition that affects women's mental, reproductive, and metabolic health throughout their lives.

research The Androgen Excess and PCOS Society Criteria for the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: The Complete Task Force Report

1540 citations , October 2008 in “Fertility and Sterility”

The report concludes that PCOS is mainly a condition of excess male hormones and its definition may change as new information is discovered.

research Revised 2003 Consensus on Diagnostic Criteria and Long-Term Health Risks Related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

4025 citations , December 2003 in “Human Reproduction”

The 2003 consensus updated PCOS diagnosis criteria and linked PCOS to higher risks of diabetes and heart problems, recommending lifestyle changes to lower these risks.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Meta-Analysis and Review of the Literature

62 citations , July 2017 in “Endocrine connections”

Adults with polycystic ovary syndrome are much more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea.

research The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Position Statement from the European Society of Endocrinology

467 citations , October 2014 in “European Journal of Endocrinology”

The European Society of Endocrinology advises individualized long-term management for PCOS, focusing on lifestyle changes, accurate diagnosis, and treatments for associated health risks and symptoms.

research Rare and Underappreciated Causes of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

January 2022 in “IntechOpen eBooks”

Some lesser-known causes of PCOS include autoimmune issues, genetic mutations, and changes in the body's microbiome.

research Sleep Disorders and Psychological Comorbidities in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

3 citations , May 2025 in “Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics”

This cross-sectional study of 587 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) from German-speaking countries found a high prevalence of sleep disorders and psychological comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression. Specifically, 19.5% had a high probability of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), 60.5% experienced mild sleep disturbances, and 29.7% suffered from chronic sleep disturbances. Anxiety affected 52% of participants, while 27.8% experienced moderate to severe depression. The study identified BMI and insulin resistance as significant factors associated with OSA and psychological issues. These findings highlight the importance of routine mental health and sleep disorder screenings in women with PCOS, especially those who are overweight or have insulin resistance.

research Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Obese and Nonobese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Healthy Reproductively Normal Women

53 citations , January 2012 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Women with PCOS are more likely to have sleep apnea, mainly if they are obese.

Beyond Counting Sheep: Exploring the Link Between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Sleep Health

Research cited in this study

research Recommendations From The 2023 International Evidence-Based Guideline For The Assessment And Management Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

research Effects of Melatonin Administration on Mental Health Parameters, Metabolic and Genetic Profiles in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

research Ethnicity, Obesity, and the Prevalence of Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Type 2 Diabetes in PCOS: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Meta-Analysis and Review of the Literature

research The Prevalence and Phenotypic Features of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

research Sleep Disturbances in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

research Risk of Psychiatric Disorders Following Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

research Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Obese and Nonobese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Healthy Reproductively Normal Women

research Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Improves Cardiometabolic Function in Young Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Complex Condition with Psychological, Reproductive, and Metabolic Manifestations That Impacts Health Across the Lifespan

research The Androgen Excess and PCOS Society Criteria for the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: The Complete Task Force Report

research Revised 2003 Consensus on Diagnostic Criteria and Long-Term Health Risks Related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

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Similar Research

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Meta-Analysis and Review of the Literature

research The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Position Statement from the European Society of Endocrinology

research Rare and Underappreciated Causes of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

research Sleep Disorders and Psychological Comorbidities in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

research Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Obese and Nonobese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Healthy Reproductively Normal Women