Could Your Partner's Snoring Be Scuppering Your Sex Life?

Can Snoring Impact Your Sex Life?
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One in ten people have revealed that snoring partners are leaving them tired, ratty and lacking in sex drive, according to a new study.

Sleep deprivation, as a result of snoring, is leaving much of the nation feeling frustrated with their partners, with some even considering a break-up to achieve a good night's sleep.

Snoring is a common sleeping habit in the UK, with nearly one third of UK adults - that's roughly 15 million people - regularly sawing logs.

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The sleep study, commissioned by Asonor, found that 89% of people whose partners snore lose roughly 90 minutes of sleep per night.

Additionally nearly half of couples end up arguing about their partner’s snoring at least once a week and a quarter have revealed that the situation has become so bad that they've had to move to a different room.

And, the worst is yet to come, as nearly a fifth of people have considered breaking up with their partners due to their snoring habits.

But, rather than running for the hills as soon as your partner starts to breathe heavily, it might be worth advising them to see a doctor instead. For the sake of their health and your sex life.

Snoring can be a sign of something more serious, says Amanda MacMillan from Life by DailyBurn. "It has been linked to dangers like heart disease and falling asleep behind the wheel."

According to The British Snoring And Sleep Apnoea Assocation, obstructive sleep apnoea is a disorder in which the upper airway repeatedly closes during sleep causing people to wake up briefly in order to breathe.

Effects of this can vary with some people experiencing daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, anxiety and even depression.

So when should you be concerned? "If you can hear it pretty clearly through a closed door, that's a sign that your body is probably working too hard to get sufficient oxygen," says Michael Grandner, professor of psychiatry and a member of the Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine.

Next time your partner snores, you know what to do. (And if all else fails, reach for the earplugs.)

6 Ways To Stop Snoring
Lose Weight(01 of06)
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Getsy stresses the importance of shedding extra pounds if you're overweight, since many people snore because of their weight. According to the National Institutes of Health, extra fat around your neck can cause your airway to become narrower and less likely to stay open. Specifically when men put on weight, an area that tends to get bigger is the neck, Getsy notes. (credit:Shutterstock)
Avoid Alcohol Before Bedtime (02 of06)
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"Alcohol will suppress the activity of what we call the airway dilator muscles — these are muscles that are meant to keep your airway open," Getsy says. "So if you drink anytime within four hours of going to bed, you're more likely to snore or snore more loudly." (credit:Shutterstock)
Avoid Certain Medication (03 of06)
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Sleeping pills, sedatives, and muscle relaxants are just some of the medications that cause the muscles that keep your airway open to become slack, she warns, which can lead to snoring. (credit:Shutterstock)
Get Plenty Of Sleep(04 of06)
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"Sleep deprivation does the same thing to those airway muscles, so the more tired you are, the more you’ll snore," Getsy says. (credit:Shutterstock)
Sleep On Your Side (05 of06)
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When you sleep on your back, gravity tugs downward on the tissue in your airway, which can make snoring worse. Lie on your side at bedtime to reduce snoring symptoms. (credit:Shutterstock)
Elevate Yourself (06 of06)
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"Sometimes, sleeping at a slight incline will make snoring better," Getsy says. Prop yourself up on a couple of pillows or a foam sleeping wedge or use an adjustable bed. (credit:Shutterstock)