Who’s the Greatest Snorer of All?
Do men snore more than women? Who complains the most about it? Who notices it more? There are a lot of misconceptions about snoring as it relates to gender, and we’re here to debunk them.
Who Snores More?
Chances are if you’re a snorer, you’re more likely to be male. Around 40% of adult men snore at some point in their lives, as opposed to less than 25% of women.
There are a few explanations for this phenomenon, but a lot of it has to do with the way males are built, in particular, their upper airway anatomy. A male’s voicebox sits lower in the throat, allowing for more open space in the airway. This means there’s more room for air to flow through and vibrate, thus creating a snore. Men also have larger pharynges than women, which means their airways change in size once they lie down.
A Woman’s Perspective
While men are more likely to snore than women, the majority of the female population ends up suffering the most from their snoring. A 2017 study suggests that females experience more of the side effects of snoring, such as being tired all day, having difficulty falling asleep, inability to concentrate on day-to-day tasks, and more.
Women also tend to report more serious concerns about their sleeping problems compared to men.
Sleeping with a Snorer
It’s common for women complain about their partners’ loud snoring, and they’re often the one looking for a solution and taking the issue more seriously. But it turns out, they’ve got good reason to complain.
Researchers have found that sleeping next to a snorer can lead to losing 2 years of sleep over a lifetime. Partners of snorers end up feeling all the side effects, including morning grogginess, waking up at night and not being able to go back to sleep, trouble focusing during the day, and others problems.
Solutions and Next Steps
Whether it’s you who snores occasionally, your partner, or both of you, it’s worth taking steps to solve this noisy issue.
Start by learning more about snoring. In a nutshell, it’s the process of blocking or limiting the airway between the nose and the throat. Any contributing factor (having a cold, the wrong sleeping position, or a bad diet, to name a few) can contribute to snoring and lead to louder noises as it disturbs your breathing while sleeping.
Before you go visit your doctor, try a few lifestyle changes and see if it makes a difference. Eating healthier and managing your weight is a great way to curb snoring. Avoiding alcohol before bedtime could also translate into fewer snores. And making sure you get your adequate nightly Zzzs is critical. If you’re sleep deprived, you’re more likely to snore.
But seeing a sleep specialist is never a bad idea. If you or your partner has been suffering from sleep-related issues, like snoring or breathing interruptions, a physician can confirm a diagnosis and get you on the right treatment plan.
So, while true that men do snore more, it tends to take a toll more-so on women. It’s a tough issue to solve, but with the proper care and steps taken, you and your partner can both live healthier happier lives as a result of less snoring.