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2026, Vol: 10, Issue: 8
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Review Article
Online Published: 10 Aug 2026
 


Obstructive sleep apnea and polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review

Jawharah R. Alahmed, Khalil I. Bograin, Norah S. Al Ibrahim, Moneera A. Al Moosa, Manar F. Alaithan, Hawra M. Al Salem, Zainab A. Alsayafi, Ruqayah A. Alali, Fidaa A. Albukhaytan, Ruaa A. Alsaleh, Fatima H. Alomar, Shahad H. Alsarhayd.


Abstract
Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a frequent respiratory problem associated with sleep, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy affecting women of reproductive age. Although a thorough synthesis of current data is needed, emerging evidence points to a possible reciprocal link between these two illnesses.
Objective: To thoroughly compile and evaluate peer-reviewed research on the relationship between PCOS and OSA, focusing on prevalence, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical characteristics, and health implications.
Methods: For articles published from 2021 to 2026, a thorough search of the literature was done using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science. Studies reporting original data on PCOS and OSA diagnosis or outcomes were included. Twelve studies met the eligibility criteria, including cross-sectional studies, prospective cohorts, Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses, and one randomized controlled trial. Checklists from the Joanna Briggs Institute were used to measure quality.
Results: The prevalence of OSA in women with PCOS ranged from 27.7% to 40%, substantially higher than in non-PCOS controls. Bidirectional MR confirmed causal relationships between PCOS and OSA in European populations (OR 1.133-1.463) but not in East Asians. Key predictors included impaired fasting glucose (OR 29.19), elevated body mass index, neck circumference (AUC 0.842), and low sex hormone-binding globulin. During in vitro fertilization, PCOS individuals with OSA showed noticeably decreased clinical pregnancy and live birth rates, reduced anti-Müllerian hormone levels, and worse metabolic profiles. In one randomized study, continuous positive airway pressure treatment improved metabolic indices and pregnancy rates. High-risk OSA was linked to twice increased chances of anxiety (aOR 2.39) and thrice increased odds of moderate-to-severe depression (aOR 3.06).
Conclusion: OSA is far more common in women with PCOS, and there is evidence of a reciprocal causal link. Comorbid OSA has a negative impact on mental, metabolic, and reproductive consequences. When treating PCOS patients, especially those with obesity, infertility, or mood issues, clinicians should keep a high level of suspicion for OSA.

Key words: Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome; PCOS; Obstructive sleep apnea; OSA; Sleep-disordered breathing; Hyperandrogenism; Insulin resistance


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Alahmed JR, Bograin KI, Ibrahim NSA, Moosa MAA, Alaithan MF, Salem HMA, Alsayafi ZA, Alali RA, Albukhaytan FA, Alsaleh RA, Alomar FH, Alsarhayd SH. Obstructive sleep apnea and polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review. IJMDC. 2026; 10(8): 2509-2520. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1781984934

Web Style

Alahmed JR, Bograin KI, Ibrahim NSA, Moosa MAA, Alaithan MF, Salem HMA, Alsayafi ZA, Alali RA, Albukhaytan FA, Alsaleh RA, Alomar FH, Alsarhayd SH. Obstructive sleep apnea and polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=325164 [Access: August 25, 2026]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1781984934

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alahmed JR, Bograin KI, Ibrahim NSA, Moosa MAA, Alaithan MF, Salem HMA, Alsayafi ZA, Alali RA, Albukhaytan FA, Alsaleh RA, Alomar FH, Alsarhayd SH. Obstructive sleep apnea and polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review. IJMDC. 2026; 10(8): 2509-2520. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1781984934


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alahmed JR, Bograin KI, Ibrahim NSA, Moosa MAA, Alaithan MF, Salem HMA, Alsayafi ZA, Alali RA, Albukhaytan FA, Alsaleh RA, Alomar FH, Alsarhayd SH. Obstructive sleep apnea and polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review. IJMDC. (2026), [cited August 25, 2026]; 10(8): 2509-2520. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1781984934


Harvard Style

Alahmed, J. R., Bograin, . K. I., Ibrahim, . N. S. A., Moosa, . M. A. A., Alaithan, . M. F., Salem, . H. M. A., Alsayafi, . Z. A., Alali, . R. A., Albukhaytan, . F. A., Alsaleh, . R. A., Alomar, . F. H. & Alsarhayd, . S. H. (2026) Obstructive sleep apnea and polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review. IJMDC, 10 (8), 2509-2520. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1781984934


Turabian Style

Alahmed, Jawharah R., Khalil I. Bograin, Norah S. Al Ibrahim, Moneera A. Al Moosa, Manar F. Alaithan, Hawra M. Al Salem, Zainab A. Alsayafi, Ruqayah A. Alali, Fidaa A. Albukhaytan, Ruaa A. Alsaleh, Fatima H. Alomar, and Shahad H. Alsarhayd. 2026. Obstructive sleep apnea and polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (8), 2509-2520. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1781984934


Chicago Style

Alahmed, Jawharah R., Khalil I. Bograin, Norah S. Al Ibrahim, Moneera A. Al Moosa, Manar F. Alaithan, Hawra M. Al Salem, Zainab A. Alsayafi, Ruqayah A. Alali, Fidaa A. Albukhaytan, Ruaa A. Alsaleh, Fatima H. Alomar, and Shahad H. Alsarhayd. "Obstructive sleep apnea and polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10 (2026), 2509-2520. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1781984934


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alahmed, Jawharah R., Khalil I. Bograin, Norah S. Al Ibrahim, Moneera A. Al Moosa, Manar F. Alaithan, Hawra M. Al Salem, Zainab A. Alsayafi, Ruqayah A. Alali, Fidaa A. Albukhaytan, Ruaa A. Alsaleh, Fatima H. Alomar, and Shahad H. Alsarhayd. "Obstructive sleep apnea and polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10.8 (2026), 2509-2520. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1781984934


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alahmed, J. R., Bograin, . K. I., Ibrahim, . N. S. A., Moosa, . M. A. A., Alaithan, . M. F., Salem, . H. M. A., Alsayafi, . Z. A., Alali, . R. A., Albukhaytan, . F. A., Alsaleh, . R. A., Alomar, . F. H. & Alsarhayd, . S. H. (2026) Obstructive sleep apnea and polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (8), 2509-2520. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1781984934




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