What Is a Sleep Study—And Why Should I Consider One in Menopause?

By: Dr. Jackie Piasta, DNP, WHNP-BC MSCP

💤 Do you wake up tired even after a full night in bed?

Does your partner complain about your snoring or gasping during sleep?

Are you feeling foggy, irritable, or low-energy during the day?

What Is a Sleep Study?

A sleep study (also called polysomnography) is a diagnostic test that tracks what happens in your body while you sleep. It monitors brain activity, breathing, heart rate, oxygen levels, snoring, body movements, and more.

There are two main types:

1. In-lab sleep study

You spend the night in a sleep center or hospital while being monitored by a sleep technician. This is the gold standard for diagnosing complex sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), narcolepsy, or periodic limb movement disorder.

2. Home sleep apnea test (HSAT)

A more convenient option for many people. You wear a small monitor at home that records breathing, oxygen levels, and snoring patterns. It’s primarily used to detect sleep apnea.

Why Do a Sleep Study During Menopause?

Sleep issues are incredibly common during perimenopause and menopause—but not all sleep problems are the same, and not all are hormonal.

Here’s why a sleep study may be especially important in midlife:

🔹 1. Sleep apnea becomes more common after menopause

The decline in estrogen and progesterone affects upper airway tone, making women more vulnerable to obstructive sleep apnea, especially if there's weight gain or a history of snoring.

OSA often goes undiagnosed in women because symptoms may look different: fatigue, headaches, insomnia, mood changes, or brain fog instead of loud snoring or gasping.

🔹 2. It helps differentiate root causes

Hot flashes, anxiety, restless legs, poor sleep hygiene, or apnea? A sleep study helps pinpoint what's really going on so treatment can be tailored to the cause—not just the symptoms.

🔹 3. Untreated sleep disorders affect long-term health

Chronic sleep apnea is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, and cognitive decline, all of which are already of greater concern during midlife.

What Symptoms Might Warrant a Sleep Study?

You may benefit from a sleep study if you:

• Snore or have pauses in breathing during sleep

• Wake up frequently or feel unrefreshed in the morning

• Fall asleep easily during the day or struggle with attention

• Have high blood pressure or heart disease

• Wake with headaches or dry mouth

• Feel irritable, anxious, or depressed despite good sleep hygiene

• Have a BMI ≥ 30 or other risk factors for sleep apnea stand out

🌙 Final Thoughts

Sleep isn’t a luxury; it’s a health essential. And during midlife, understanding your sleep issues deeply can be the first step toward feeling like yourself again.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start sleeping better, talk to us about whether a sleep study might be right for you.