What Causes Snoring In Women?

Snoring is caused by tissues in the airway vibrating as a sleeper breathes. Although snoring affects people of any sex or gender, several unique factors contribute to snoring in women and people assigned female at birth.

Women have historically been underrepresented in medical research, including research related to snoring. However, studies have begun to uncover how female sex hormones may affect a person’s risk of snoring, as well as how gender may play a role in how likely a person is to report this nighttime symptom. We discuss conditions that increase the risk of snoring and how to reduce or prevent snoring. 

Causes of Snoring in Women

Certain risk factors for snoring, such as pregnancy and menopause Trusted Source Merck Manual First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers. 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.

Pregnancy

Experts estimate that as many as half of pregnant people snore Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source . Snoring typically gets worse as pregnancy develops, especially during the third trimester Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . After giving birth, most people experience a rapid reduction in snoring. Changing hormones, weight gain, and swollen nasal passages can all contribute to snoring during pregnancy.

Menopause

Snoring increases during and after menopause This could be due to a decrease in estrogen and progesterone Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , hormones that may be protective against snoring. After menopause, women also commonly gain weight, increasing their risk of obesity Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source and breathing changes during sleep.

Overweight and Obesity

People who have overweight or obesity are more likely to snore, as excess tissue in the neck, throat, and tongue can make the airway more likely to collapse Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source during sleep. Obesity can also decrease the volume of a person’s lungs and interfere with the function of muscles involved in breathing.

Nasal Congestion and Other Issues in the Nose

Snoring can also be triggered when the nasal passages are blocked or become too narrow. Conditions that affect the nasal passages and contribute to snoring include nasal congestion due to a cold, allergies or sinusitis Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source , surgery on the sinuses, issues with the nasal septum, and abnormal growths inside the nasal cavity.

Smoking, Alcohol, and Sedatives

Several medications and other substances can increase the likelihood that a person will snore. For example, drinking alcohol can increase snoring, which may be due to alcohol’s effect on the muscles of the upper airway. Smoking may also exacerbate snoring, potentially due to increased nasal congestion or short-term nicotine withdrawal from not smoking during the night.

Medications that may increase the risk of snoring include:

• Benzodiazepines
• Antihistamines
• Antiepileptic medications Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source
• Certain antidepressants
• Opiates

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism can narrow a person’s breathing passages and make it more likely that they will snore. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid does not produce sufficient thyroid hormones Trusted Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) NIDDK research creates knowledge about and treatments for diseases that are among the most chronic, costly, and consequential for patients, their families, and the Nation. View Source , which affect the function of organs throughout the body. Hypothyroidism is more common in women, people assigned female at birth, and those who are or have recently been pregnant.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Snoring can also be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition in which a person’s airway narrows and significantly affects their breathing during the night. While snoring alone does not typically affect breathing or wake a person up from sleep, OSA can lead to nighttime awakenings and increase the risk of long-term health consequences. 

In the past, doctors considered obstructive sleep apnea to be a condition that primarily affected men Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . However, research now suggests that OSA is often missed in women and people assigned female at birth and that as many as 93% of women with OSA are undiagnosed. 

Researchers have proposed several explanations Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source for this, including that women may experience different symptoms, are less likely to tell their doctor about snoring, or tend to have bed partners who are less observant.

Take Our Quiz to Know Your Sleep Apnea Risk

To understand if you could have sleep apnea, take our short quiz below to see if you exhibit any signs.

Is Snoring Normal?

Nearly everyone snores on occasion, and people are more likely to snore as they get older. Research suggests that approximately 28% of adult women snore regularly. 

Although many women and people assigned female at birth snore, experts suggest that women are less likely to admit to snoring Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , perhaps because snoring has traditionally been seen as a masculine behavior.

Because snoring only occurs when a person is asleep, people who snore may not be aware of it, especially if they sleep alone. On its own, snoring is often harmless and may not require medical treatment unless it is disruptive to the sleeper or their bed partner. 

However, people who snore regularly should talk to their doctors, especially if they have symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea like very loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, headaches, or excessive tiredness during the day.

How to Reduce or Prevent Snoring 

Many women want to know how to stop snoring. Depending on the cause, interventions that may reduce or stop snoring include changing the sleep position, reducing weight, cutting back on tobacco and alcohol, and using devices or medications to open the airway. 

Avoid Smoking, Alcohol, and Sedatives

Cutting back on smoking and alcohol use, particularly in the leadup to bedtime, may reduce or stop snoring. If the medications a person takes contribute to snoring, they can talk to their doctor about changing their dose or finding another medication.

Treat Nasal Congestion

Doctors may recommend a decongestant, a nightly saline nose rinse, or other treatments to reduce snoring caused by nasal congestion. It may be helpful to work with a doctor when using decongestants to reduce snoring, as some medications can increase nasal congestion if they are used for too long.

Avoid Back Sleeping

Some people snore less when sleeping on their side or elevated on a wedge pillow. To encourage side sleeping, people can try sewing a tennis ball into the back of a t-shirt to prevent rolling onto their back during the night. 

Various other devices are marketed to help encourage side sleeping and keep a person’s airway open, such as nightshirts, posture alarms, and special pillows. More research will be needed to establish whether these devices improve snoring. 

Get Regular Exercise

If a doctor determines that weight is contributing to snoring, regular exercise may help. Among other benefits of exercise, losing weight can improve muscle function Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source and reduce excess tissue in the mouth and neck to ease pressure on the airway.

Try a Nasal Dilator

If other methods are not effective, a doctor may recommend trying a nasal dilator. Nasal dilators are wearable devices that help to keep the nasal passages open by widening the nose from within or come as adhesive nasal strips that can be placed across the outside of the nostrils. 

Get Fitted for an Oral Appliance

In some cases, a doctor may recommend a customized oral device, also called a snoring mouthpiece or mouthguard. Unlike bite guards used for teeth grinding, these devices are typically custom-fitted by a dentist. They may shift the jaw or tongue forward, or they may change the positioning of tissues to keep the airway open. 

Use a Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Device

Although this therapy is usually reserved for people with obstructive sleep apnea, doctors may prescribe continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to address bothersome snoring. A CPAP machine delivers pressurized air through a face mask to prevent the airway from collapsing during sleep. 

Talk to a Doctor

Because a variety of factors can contribute to snoring, the first step to addressing bothersome snoring is to contact a doctor. A doctor can help by assessing a person’s symptoms, recommending treatments, and discussing whether it may be helpful to test for obstructive sleep apnea or other health conditions that can contribute to snoring.