Unpack the critical connection between sleep apnea and hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause.

Unpack the critical connection between sleep apnea and hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause.

In this episode, Dr. Arend Klooster, alongside Dr. Polly Watson, discusses the critical and often overlooked connection between sleep apnea and hormonal changes in midlife women. Dr. Klooster highlights the importance of identifying sleep-disordered breathing as a root cause of fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, and hormone imbalance during perimenopause and menopause.

“I could give you all the estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in the world—but if you’re not getting oxygen at night, you’re still not going to feel good,” says Dr. Polly Watson.

The episode covers why sleep apnea is frequently missed in women, how declining estrogen and progesterone affect airway stability, and why quality sleep is foundational for cortisol regulation, metabolic health, and long-term brain function. Dr. Watson and Dr. Klooster shed light on modern screening tools, home sleep studies, and effective CPAP alternatives, including oral appliances that many women find easier to tolerate.

Together, they emphasize that hormone therapy alone cannot overcome untreated sleep apnea—and that optimizing sleep is essential for improving energy, mood, cardiovascular health, and longevity. This conversation is a must-listen for women who are “doing everything right” but still feel exhausted.

• “I could give you all the estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in the world—but if you’re not getting oxygen at night, you’re still not going to feel good.” — Dr. Polly Watson
• “Grinding your teeth at night isn’t just a dental problem—it can be your body going into fight-or-flight because it’s not getting oxygen.” — Dr. Arend Klooster
• “Women with sleep apnea don’t always look sleepy—they show up with brain fog, anxiety, depression, and fatigue.” — Dr. Arend Klooster
• “Mild sleep apnea can still mean your sleep is disrupted seventy times a night—and that adds up over decades.”  — Dr. Arend Klooster

Disclaimer: https://hormonewellnessmd.com/podcast#Disclaimer

She looks forward to sharing her knowledge with you to help find a solution to address the imbalance in your system and restore your health.

Dr. Arend Klooster, originally from Grand Haven, MI, brings extensive expertise to his dental practice. After earning his dental degree, he completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry at UNC, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Klooster stays at the forefront of dentistry with advanced training in dental implants, All-on-X, Invisalign, and cosmetic dentistry.

In 2024, he earned Fellowship status with the American Academy of Clear Aligners, a distinction held by only 90 doctors in North America. A Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, he specializes in treating sleep apnea and is dedicated to providing personalized, top-quality care.

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