Explaining the Prevalence of RLS in Women

According to a publication from the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, "symptoms of RLS are commonly reported by European populations, especially those from Western and Northern Europe as well as populations derived largely from these regions," (e.g., North American populations). They cite adult prevalence in these populations ranging from 6-15%. Several studies show that RLS may occur more frequently in women than men, though according to the 2005 NSF Sleep in America poll, women and men suffer equally from RLS. However, the poll also found that women are more likely to have risk factors for RLS.

Researchers in South Africa sought to determine whether RLS is gender-related or is just reported or identified more frequently among women. They advertised for RLS patients and received 158 completed questionnaires from patients meeting RLS diagnostic criteria; 63% were from women. The researchers found that subjects of both genders were more likely to report having female relatives with RLS. However, as occurs with insomnia, the researchers found a gender bias in sleep-related symptoms, but it was subtle. They found that no single sleep complaint or pair of symptoms differed in prevalence between men and women, but a high total proportion and disproportionately more women were likely to present with multiple sleep symptoms than were men. The authors suggest that female subjects with RLS are likely to have more sleep disturbance than male subjects with RLS and as a result women take more action to diagnose and treat it.