Possibly it is because women have been brought up with certain notions of what it takes to be feminine and stylish, and snoring certainly doesn't factor into either of those categories. Yet, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), nearly everyone snores occasionally and about 24% of adult women are habitual snorers. Snoring is even more prevalent as women age, and it may increase during pregnancy.

According to the AASM, sleep apnea affects about 4% of men and 2% of women. About 80 to 90% of adults with sleep apnea go undiagnosed.
Whilst a mild case of snoring may be irritating to the woman's bed partner, many women who snore have a related sleep disorder that can have a severe effect on their overall health and well-being.

What's really disturbing about snoring
Loud and frequent snoring may be symptomatic of a common sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea. It occurs when the muscles relax during sleep. This causes soft tissue in the back of the throat to collapse and block the upper airway.
As a result, the snorer stops breathing several times each hour, sometimes amounting to hundreds of times each night. The pauses in breathing can cause drastic changes in oxygen levels and very fragmented sleep.
This puts an enormous strain on your heart and can lead to an increase in your heart rate. Recent research shows links between sleep apnea and a host of other disorders and diseases. These include congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes.
Just make the problem go away
Mandibular devices have been around for a decade and prove extremely effective in many snoring cases. They can be specially fitted by a doctor or dentist at a cost, or bought over the counter and self customised. A product like Snoremeds, which has the approval of doctors and dentists, has proved highly effective with 85% of snorers who use it. Made from hypoallergenic thermoplastic, SnoreMeds is an oral appliance generally worn at night. Like other mandibular devices, Snoremeds works as a splint by positioning and holding the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep. As a result, the respiratory tract is widened, which enables air to flow unobstructed through the breathing passage, allowing the patient to breathe more freely and stop snoring.
Using the appropriate treatment for snoring will significantly improve the snorer's sense of well-being and energy levels. In America alone, women can get help for sleep apnea from more than 1 200 accredited sleep disorders centres. If women who snore want to feel better, it's time they started talking.