If you’ve been waking up exhausted, dealing with persistent headaches, or feeling unusually moody without a clear reason, you might have written it off as stress or a rough patch of sleep. What you may not know is that these experiences are among the most frequently missed warning signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea/OSA in women. Research published in the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine found that women with OSA are significantly underdiagnosed, in part because their symptoms often differ from the textbook male presentation.
At Newport Beach Dental Center, we take OSA seriously as a whole-health issue, not just a nighttime inconvenience. Dr. Laura Sharbash, DDS, FAGD, D.ABDSM, holds a Diplomate certification from the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, a credential that places her among a small group of dentists nationwide trained specifically in oral appliance therapy for OSA.
Recognize the Overlooked Symptoms of OSA in Women
Most people associate Obstructive Sleep Apnea/OSA with loud snoring and gasping for air. While those symptoms can certainly occur, women are far more likely to present with what researchers call “atypical” symptoms. These quieter signs are often misattributed to anxiety, depression, or hormonal changes, which means the root cause never gets treated.
The following are symptoms in women that are commonly linked to OSA but frequently go unrecognized:
- Morning headaches that occur regularly without an obvious cause
- Chronic fatigue or a persistent sense of exhaustion even after a full night of sleep
- Insomnia, including difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Mood disturbances such as irritability, low motivation, or feelings of depression
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating during the day
- Waking up frequently during the night to use the bathroom
These symptoms deserve attention. If several of the above feel familiar, it may be time to speak with a qualified provider to determine whether OSA could be contributing.
Why Are Women So Often Missed?
Part of the problem is that most early OSA research focused heavily on male participants. As a result, the standard screening tools and symptom checklists were built around a male pattern of presentation. Women who report fatigue, mood changes, or insomnia are frequently routed toward mental health evaluations rather than sleep studies, delaying an accurate diagnosis by months or even years.
What Treatment Options Are Available for Women With OSA?
The good news is that effective, non-invasive treatment options exist. For many women, oral appliance therapy is a highly tolerable first-line approach, especially for those who have found CPAP therapy difficult to use consistently. Custom-fitted oral devices reposition the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep, keeping the airway open and reducing the frequency of apnea events.
Dr. Sharbash’s D.ABDSM certification means she is specifically trained to evaluate, fit, and monitor these devices. Learning more about the benefits of oral appliance therapy can help you determine whether this option is right for your situation. Lifestyle modifications, positional therapy, and coordination with a sleep physician are also part of a well-rounded care plan that we help guide.
Schedule a Sleep Apnea Consultation at Newport Beach Dental Center Today
OSA in women is a real, documented, and treatable condition that far too often gets dismissed or misdiagnosed. If any of these symptoms have been part of your experience, you now have a clearer picture of why they should not simply be chalked up to stress or aging. Dr. Laura Sharbash, DDS, FAGD, D.ABDSM is one of fewer than 6% of general dentists to earn the FAGD designation.
A thorough dental exam can sometimes reveal anatomical signs that warrant further evaluation for OSA. This is one of the reasons why keeping up with regular dental checkups is about more than just your teeth. If you are ready to take the next step, we invite you to contact our office to schedule a consultation and get answers tailored to your health.
