What Causes Snoring in Women?
Snoring is more common in men, but approximately 24% “of adult women are habitual snorers”. In women, snoring becomes more common during menopause, pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and with age. Snoring can also be the cause of underlying health conditions like obstructive sleep apnea, so finding out why you snore will help you find the most effective treatment for it.
To schedule an in-person appointment call us at 703-323-8200 or you can schedule a virtual consultation with Dr. Marzban to discuss your snoring concerns.
What Causes Snoring?
Snoring happens when airflow through the nose or throat becomes partially blocked during sleep. As air moves through a narrowed airway, it causes the surrounding soft tissues to vibrate, which creates the snoring sound.
Common Causes of Snoring in Women
Several factors can cause the airway to narrow, and many are caused by hormonal and physical changes that happen during a woman’s life.
Hormonal Changes
Hormones play an important role in how you sleep and breathe. They act as signals that help your body know when to rest, respond to stress, and regulate breathing. Many women notice changes in their snoring patterns during pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause.
Weight Gain
Excess body weight can place additional pressure on the air passages. Increased weight around the neck and abdomen can narrow the airway during sleep so you’re more likely to snore and develop sleep apnea. Even gaining a little bit of weight can make snoring more noticeable for some women.
Nasal Congestion
Seasonal allergies, colds, sinus infections, or chronic nasal congestion can make it so you have to breathe through your mouth while sleeping. Breathing through your mouth at night can make snoring worse by increasing airflow through the throat. This causes nearby soft tissues to vibrate, and these vibrations are what create the snoring sound. Conditions such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps can cause chronic nasal congestion which makes it harder to breathe through the nose.
Alcohol & Smoking
Alcohol can relax the muscles in the throat so the airway is more likely to narrow or partially collapse during sleep and this increases the chance of snoring. Smoking can also contribute to snoring by irritating and inflaming the airway which makes it more difficult to breathe.
Age
The muscles that help keep the airway open naturally become less firm and flexible as we age. Due to the decrease in muscle tone, this can make the airway more likely to narrow during sleep, so it’s easier for tissues to relax and vibrate during sleep. This can even happen to women who have never snored before.
Hypothyroidism
An underactive thyroid, known as hypothyroidism, occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. Women are more likely to experience hypothyroidism, and hormonal changes during and after pregnancy can increase the risk of thyroid problems, including postpartum thyroiditis. These hormonal changes can reduce airway stability and increase the likelihood of snoring and sleep apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Snoring could also be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition where the airway repeatedly narrows during sleep and disrupts breathing. Unlike snoring, OSA can affect sleep quality and increase the risk of serious health problems if left untreated. Women are often underdiagnosed because their symptoms may look different than men’s, including fatigue, poor sleep, or trouble concentrating rather than obvious loud snoring.
What Are Treatments for Snoring?
Lifestyle changes could help some people manage snoring, and others may need personalized dental treatment for long-term relief. Ways to manage or treat snoring, include:
Maintain a healthy weight
Exercise consistently
Address allergies and chronic congestion
Dental Treatment for Snoring in Burke, Fairfax, Fairfax Station & Northern Virginia
Dr. Marzban uses advanced dental technology that measures nasal airflow and identifies potential obstructions to determine the underlying cause of your snoring and the best treatment for you. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Marzban today by calling us at 703-323-8200 or filling out our online form.
FAQs
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During menopause, declining estrogen and progesterone levels can affect sleep patterns, how the body stores fat, and airway function. Because of these changes, the airway is more likely to narrow during sleep which can increase the chances of snoring.
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Yes, because pregnancy increases the likelihood of snoring due to hormonal changes, nasal congestion, fluid retention, and weight changes.
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The best way to reduce snoring in women is to address what’s causing it. Simple changes like sleeping on your side, limiting alcohol before bed, maintaining a healthy weight, and treating nasal congestion can help some women. For ongoing snoring, personalized treatments like oral appliances may be recommended by your dentist for long-lasting relief.
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Snoring doesn't always mean something is wrong, but it can be a sign of an underlying issue. Frequent, loud snoring disrupts sleep quality and contributes to daytime fatigue, headaches, or difficulty concentrating.
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Sudden snoring can happen for several reasons, including weight changes, nasal congestion, allergies, changes in sleep position, alcohol use, hormonal shifts, or with age. For women, snoring may also become more noticeable during pregnancy, perimenopause, or menopause due to changes that can affect the airway. If new snoring is loud, frequent, or comes with gasping, choking, or daytime fatigue, it may be a sign of sleep apnea and should be evaluated.
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CPAP therapy can significantly reduce or stop snoring for individuals with sleep apnea because the CPAP helps keep the airway open during sleep, preventing the vibrations that cause snoring.
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Loud snoring is a common sign of sleep apnea, but you can have sleep apnea without noticeable snoring. Some people may have other symptoms, such as daytime fatigue, morning headaches, trouble concentrating, restless sleep, or waking up gasping for air.
