Differences in Polysomnography Parameters of Women in the Post and Transitional Phases of Menopause

Objectives To investigate the relationship between the changes in the main components of sleep during the menopausal transition and the postmenopausal period. Methods A total of 162 patients were included in the study, including 62 patients in the menopausal transition period and 100 patients in the postmenopausal period. The Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) was applied to the patients before polysomnography (PSG). In PSG recordings, the total sleep time, sleep efficiency, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (%), non-REM (NREM) sleep (%), apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), REM-AHI, NREM-AHI, minimum and mean oxygen saturation, oxygen desaturation time, and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) were recorded. Results Total sleep time (256.4±89.9 vs. 302.8±73.8, p<.03) and sleep efficiency (63.8±16.3 vs 75.6±16.0, p<.005) were significantly decreased in the postmenopausal patient group compared to the menopausal transition group. ODI, desaturation time, and desaturation percentages were significantly higher and minimum oxygen saturation was significantly lower in the postmenopausal group than in the transitional group. While mild obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) rates in the menopausal transition group were significantly higher than in the menopausal group, moderate and severe OSAS rates were significantly higher in the menopausal group. Conclusion Changes in PSG measurements during the menopausal transition and postmenopausal period showed a significant effect of hormonal changes on sleep in women.