Seriously? Link between PCOS and Apnea? Female Topic

It looks like I am in the process of being diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. I will know for sure next week when the blood results come back. I went to an endocrinologist today for the first time. I had NO IDEA there was a link between these two, but the endo says that 30% of PCOS sufferers have sleep apnea. Why wasn't anyone telling me this two years ago when i was diagnosed?

I have had some of the symptoms of PCOS for years but never knew too much about it--assumed it couldn't be me because I never had a problem getting pregnant. Based on what I saw in the media, that seemed to be the primary complaint of the syndrome.

Turns out PCOS is closely related to metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, high blood pressure, heart disease, which so many of us here have. It looks like I may have caught this just in time--before developing type 2 diabetes. Thank goodness.

Anyone else have any experience with this?

Jen

Hi Jen,
I first heard of PCOS on this forum - here it is.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3891&p=30728&hilit= ... %2A#p30728

O.

From what I understand, many kinds of hormone problems, and even normal hormone fluctuations can affect airway tone and the size of the airway. Usually people with PCOS have higher testosterone, which can cause more fat deposits in the airway area, making it smaller and more susceptible to apnea. I don't know how much actual study has been done on this because the doctors that I've asked about it have just given me this information as an educated guess.

I knew about my PCOS before I knew about my OSA.

The more I learn about OSA, the more I'm amazed and concerned about what diseases and syndromes it can be linked to. This is the first I've heard of it being linked to PCOS, but it wouldn't surprise me any at this point.

Lisa

I thought about that a few years ago when a coworker of mine was diagnosed with PCOS, but her symptoms and mine don't match.

I suspect that one feeds into the other, as opposed to them always being linked. I really don't think I'm PCOS, after hearing my coworker's list of symptoms. Though, with a toddler and another on the way and a husband in the military , I'm CERTAIN she has fragmented sleep.

BEST OF LUCK!!!!

Huggers,
B.

I would urge any female on cpap to google PCOS and get in contact with an endocrinologist that specializes in PCOS if possible. This isn't just about bloating and a few hairs on your chin. Women with PCOS are likely to be insulin resistant. High blood pressure. Heart Problems. And much, much more! This is about your life! If you are a young woman just starting cpap, you could be saving yourself from a lot of medical problems in the future.

Jen