The stereotype suggests that snoring is primarily a male issue, often associated with being overweight or obese. While this may be true to some extent, many people are unaware that women can also experience snoring and suffer from obstructive sleep apnea after menopause.

Causes of Snoring in Women

Snoring, including obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), can have various causes in both men and women.

Potential factors contributing to snoring and apnea in women include obesity, being overweight, anatomical abnormalities in the airways, hormonal changes during menopause, age, and relaxation of the palatal and pharyngeal structures.

Snoring accompanied by apneas can be a significant risk factor for metabolic diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and diabetes.

Underdiagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS)

Obstructive sleep apnea is often undiagnosed since many sufferers do not seek medical attention.

The perception of snoring during sleep is often focused on the disturbance it causes to sleep partners rather than recognizing it as an actual medical condition. However, snoring can sometimes result in prolonged choking episodes.

Sleep partners usually prompt individuals to seek specialized help to address the snoring problem and restore restful sleep. However, individuals who snore should be concerned if they frequently wake up feeling tired despite what should be a sufficient night’s sleep.

Consequences of Snoring

Sleep disrupted by apneas and snoring is often shallow and fails to provide restorative rest.

Insufficient body oxygenation, particularly in the brain, due to recurrent apneas and 

frequent micro-awakenings can lead to:

  • Fatigue; 
  • Daytime sleepiness; 
  • Difficulty concentrating;
  • Headaches.

Excessive daytime sleepiness, including brief micro-sleep episodes lasting only a few seconds, can result in serious accidents causing harm to oneself or others. This phenomenon, known as a “sleep stroke,” is often associated with disrupted sleep. 

Unfortunately, these symptoms are sometimes incorrectly attributed to work-related stress or other unrelated factors instead of being linked to snoring.

How to Stop Snoring?

Understanding the underlying causes of snoring is crucial for effective treatment. It is recommended to:

  • Seek a specialist’s examination and accurate diagnosis through tests like Polysomnography or Sleep Endoscopy;
  • Choose treatment approaches such as weight loss, avoiding alcohol consumption, and adopting healthier sleep habits. However, these measures alone may not be sufficient to improve sleep quality significantly;
  • Opt for oral devices such as anti-snoring splints or ventilatory therapies like CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) in specific cases;
  • Have surgery utilizing advanced and minimally invasive techniques; this may offer substantial benefits in selected cases.