Who Is At Risk for Restless Legs Syndrome?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) may affect as many as 12 million people in the United States. More than half of the people who have RLS have family members with the condition.

RLS can affect people of any race or ethnic group, but the disorder is more common in people of Northern European descent. RLS affects both genders, but women are more likely to have it than men.

The number of cases of RLS rises with age. Many people who have RLS are diagnosed in middle age. However, in about 40 percent of RLS cases, symptoms start before age 20. People who develop RLS early in life usually have a family history of it.

People who have certain diseases or conditions or who take certain medicines are more likely to develop RLS. (For more information, see “What Causes Restless Legs Syndrome?”)

For example, RLS is common in pregnant women. It usually occurs during the last 3 months of pregnancy. The disorder usually improves or goes away after giving birth. Some women may continue to have symptoms after giving birth. Other women may develop RLS again later in life.