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Women are less likely to be tested and diagnosed with sleep disorders due to differing signs and symptoms, gender bias and perpetuated societal myths.
Signs, symptoms, and prevalence for some sleep disorders (sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome) differ for women and a lack of knowledge and gender bias among medical professionals contributes to less women being assessed and properly treated. Furthermore, societal myths about sleep disorders and gender plays a role in minimizing the prevalence of sleep disorders among women. Sleep disorders are a lifespan issue for all, and in particular for women who experience hormonal shifts during the onset of puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause which can alter sleep architecture. (17) This bias in medicine and societal myths combine to put women at undue health risk for complications from chronic health conditions and can impact quality of life and mortality.
Gender Difference in the Prevalence of Insomnia: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7714764/
Influence of Gender on Associations of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Symptoms with Chronic Conditions and Quality of Life (States that Women are less likely than men to be diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We examined contemporary gender differences in symptoms, health status, and quality of life associated with diagnosed OSA and OSA symptoms in a population-based sample.)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5981969/
Women less likely to be diagnosed with sleep disorders
https://www.mdedge.com/chestphysician/article/138331/sleep-medicine/women-less-likely-be-diagnosed-sleep-disorders
Women are less likely to be tested for sleep disorders, a factor leading to underdiagnoses and potential long-term health risks.
Women and Sleep
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/women-sleep
Gaslighting in Womens Helath: No Its not just in your head.
https://www.northwell.edu/katz-institute-for-womens-health/articles/gaslighting-in-womens-health
Gender Bias in Medical Diagnosis
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/gender-bias-in-medical-diagnosis#what-is-gender-bias
Cardiovascular Disease in Women Across the Lifespan: The Importance of Sleep
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32096682/
Women Sleep Apnea and Surgery
Primary tool used is STOP BANG which is has biases against women (T=tired, B=BMI, N=Neck, G=Gender)
Perioperative Management of the Patient With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Narrative Review.
C. Cozowicz, S. Memtsoudis
Published 1 May 2021
Medicine
Anesthesia and analgesia
Clinical implications of opioid-induced ventilatory impairment
G. Pattullo
Published 21 February 2022
Medicine
Anaesthesia and Intensive Care
Preoperative screening of patients at high risk of obstructive sleep apnea and postoperative complications: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Shuo Wang 1, Shiyong Li 1, Yilin Zhao 1, Xiaoping Zhao 2, Zhiqiang Zhou 1, Quanshui Hao 3, Ailin Luo 1, Rao Sun 4
Affiliations expand
PMID: 35217467 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2022.110692
