Fact 6: Snoring and Gender: Not Created Equal
You’ve probably heard that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, but did you know that when it comes to snoring, men usually lead the charge? That’s right, snoring doesn’t hit the sexes equally, and here’s the lowdown on why.
Hormones play a crucial role. Testosterone, the hormone largely responsible for male traits, also affects snoring. Higher testosterone levels cause the airway muscles to relax more, making men more susceptible to snoring. Yep, it’s science.
Hold on, women aren’t off the hook. Hormonal shifts during menopause can cause women to start snoring if they haven’t before, or intensify existing snoring. A decline in progesterone means the muscles in the throat become looser, inviting snoring into the picture.
But hormones aren’t the only culprits. Men generally have larger airways, which can create more intense vibrations—thus louder snoring. However, women catch up in the snoring department as they age, especially after hitting menopause, where the gap begins to close.
So the next time someone makes a snide comment about men being louder snorers, you’ll know it’s not just a stereotype. It’s a combination of hormones and anatomy that makes the male species more susceptible to nocturnal noise-making. (6)
