Causes of Snoring in Women. Certain risk factors for snoring, such as pregnancy and menopause. View Source , are unique to women and people assigned female at birth. Other common causes of snoring such as nasal congestion, hypothyroidism, obesity, and certain anatomical traits may occur in people of any sex or gender.
Sleep issues are a common sign and symptom of perimenopause and menopause. In particular, night sweats, insomnia, and worsening snoring are directly linked with menopause. Snoring and sleep apnoea become more common and more severe for women after menopause.
If you suddenly start snoring, something may be causing your airways to get more relaxed and block airflow. This could be sleep deprivation, sleeping on your back, alcohol, or sleep aids. There may also be a physical change in your mouth or airways due to weight gain, allergies, or injury for example.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Hormone Replacement Therapy can rectify this, especially in post-menopausal women with mild cases of snoring or sleep apnoea.
Weak airway muscles are the main reason for snoring more with age. Snoring happens when the tissue in our airways start to vibrate because it is too loose. Just as skin loses tension with age and muscles in our bodies become weaker and less toned, so does the airway.
While snoring does not necessarily indicate the presence of a sleep disorder, it can disrupt sleep for you and your partner. Snoring is associated with obesity and old age even for those who do not have sleep apnea symptoms.
Being overweight and snoring isn't just about neck fat. Central obesity, where fat is found around the midriff and chest, also worsens snoring and sleep apnea. Belly fat pushes your diaphragm up (a phenomenon mirrored in pregnant women, another sub-group of snorers), and fat on your chest compresses the ribcage.
Snoring is often associated with a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Not all snorers have OSA, but if snoring is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it may be an indication to see a doctor for further evaluation for OSA: Witnessed breathing pauses during sleep.
Loss of muscle tone As we get older, we tend to lose muscle tone, including in the upper airway. The soft palate in the back of the roof of your mouth, for instance, becomes more susceptible to vibration. And the movement of those tissues, including the uvula, is what we hear as snoring.
Middle-aged women who have lower levels of oestrogen and progesterone are more likely to snore, breathe irregularly and gasp while sleeping, which are all symptoms of sleep apnoea.
Older age is associated with a number of sleep changes, including increased snoring. The tongue and muscles that surround the airway may become weaker with age. Engaging in mouth and throat exercises called myofunctional therapy may reduce snoring caused by weak muscles.
Weak airway muscles are the main reason for snoring more with age. Snoring happens when the tissue in our airways start to vibrate because it is too loose. Just as skin loses tension with age and muscles in our bodies become weaker and less toned, so does the airway.
The more narrow, the more forceful the airflow becomes. Bad habits. Loud snoring volume is more common among people who smoke, consume too much alcohol before bedtime, eat junk food and don't move enough. Fat people snore because they have extra tissues in the back of their throats that may narrow their airways.
So does snoring mean deep sleep? No it doesn't. REM sleep becomes very fragmented and interrupted by snoring so snorers aren't able to reach deep sleep. Only frequent, prolonged and severe snores mean possibly obstructive sleep apnea.
Sleep position
Why? Sleeping in that position can cause your tongue to relax toward the back of your throat, resulting in a partially obstructed airway. A 2009 study of 2,077 sleep disorder patients found that snoring was caused by sleep position in 54%.
Snoring can be caused by a number of factors, such as the anatomy of your mouth and sinuses, alcohol consumption, allergies, a cold, and your weight. When you doze off and progress from a light sleep to a deep sleep, the muscles in the roof of your mouth (soft palate), tongue and throat relax.
A foam wedge pillow allows you to sleep on your back whilst effectively reducing your snoring. Wedge pillows prevent you from being entirely flat – the position where your airway is most prone to obstruction and snoring.
If you snore, or don't sleep well, you likely have vitamin D deficiency. Your brain has many vitamin D receptors and relies on a steady supply.
Drop in Oxygen Level
Snoring happens when tissues in your throat relax, and air tries to pass through. This causes a vibration that escapes as a noise – a.k.a. snoring. If the tissues in your throat relax too much, it means you might not be getting enough oxygen to your brain. Normal oxygenated air is 21% oxygen.
Drop in Blood Oxygen Levels – The most immediate result of snoring is a drop in blood oxygen levels. A normal blood oxygen level should be in the range of 94%-98%. Not breathing normally due to snoring for 30 seconds or more, results in the blood oxygen level to drop to 80% or lesser.
Snoring is not just a man's problem. Women snore too – just as loudly – and with the same associated health risks. So why is it so often downplayed and overlooked? Just as real men can cry, real women can snore.
The crescendo is typically followed by periods of no sound, and then a gasp that can sound like a snort. This pattern of snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, which is a serious condition that can increase the risk of heart disease.