Estrogens play a crucial role in nerve impulse transmission from the brain. Depletion of those affecting the breathing centre, is one explanation why women at menopause have apnea. More, the tissue edema and swelling, plus added fat in almost all cases, causes narrowing of the respiratory tract, which also possibly contributes to apnea. The more severe the estrogen depletion, the higher the severe hot flashes likelihood, thus the association explained.
I reached a stage of repeated daily gasping and seizures, over years, in menopause, from a perfectly healthy respiratory system, which has currrently markedly waned.
Maria Jasmine Freeman