Improving metabolic and reproductive health in women with PCOS using CPAP for sleep apnea

Restoring Metabolic and Reproductive Health With Sleep in PCOS Study, CPAP Trial

Not applicable Interventional University of California, San Francisco · NCT05920694

This study is testing if using a CPAP machine for sleep apnea can help women with PCOS improve their insulin resistance and overall health.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 40 Years
SexFemale
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco Academic / other
Locations1 site (San Francisco, California)
Trial IDNCT05920694 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the connection between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), focusing on how OSA may worsen insulin resistance in women with PCOS. Researchers will enroll women aged 18-40 with moderate to severe OSA and PCOS to assess the effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy on insulin resistance and overall metabolic health. The study aims to understand the role of nighttime hypoxia in insulin resistance and whether CPAP treatment can lead to improvements in metabolic and reproductive outcomes for these patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are women aged 18-40 with a diagnosis of PCOS and moderate to severe OSA.

Not a fit: Patients with diabetes, excessive daytime sleepiness, or those currently using oral contraceptives may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new treatment approach for improving metabolic and reproductive health in women with PCOS who also suffer from OSA.

How similar studies have performed: While the relationship between OSA and PCOS is recognized, evidence regarding the impact of CPAP therapy specifically in PCOS populations is limited, making this approach relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Subjects found to have moderate to severe OSA (AHI \>15)
* PCOS diagnosis satisfies both the hyperandrogenic and oligo-ovulatory requirements of Rotterdam criteria
* Ages 18-40
* BMI 25-45 kg/m2
* Fasting insulin \>16
* At-risk score on Berlin Questionnaire

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current use of oral contraceptives
* Diabetes mellitus (fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL or 2-h glucose ≥200 mg/dL or HGB A1c ≥6.5%)
* Treatment for asthma
* Regular tobacco use or alcohol consumption exceeding 1 drink/day
* HIV infection or infectious hepatitis
* Pregnancy or lactation within the past six months
* Prior OSA treatment
* Excessive daytime sleepiness as defined as \>16 on the Eppworth Sleepiness Scale or untreated or inadequately treated hypertension (\>150/90)

Where this trial is running

San Francisco, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Polycystic Ovary SyndromeObstructive Sleep Apnea
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.