Men snore more because of larger necks, narrower airways, weight, and alcohol. Loud snoring with pauses can signal sleep apnea.
Why
- Larger necks and narrower airways.
- Higher body weight in the neck.
- Alcohol use.
- Sleeping on the back.
- Men have more airway collapsibility.
Stats
About 40% of men snore.
Sleep apnea
Loud snoring with pauses, gasping and tiredness. Men are more likely to have it.
Remedies
Side sleeping, weight loss, limiting alcohol.
See a doctor
For apnea signs.
Cause of the sound
Snoring happens when relaxed tissues in the throat and soft palate vibrate as air passes. Men have longer soft palates and narrower upper airways on average, and testosterone affects muscle tone and fat distribution around the neck. About 40 percent of adult men snore regularly, versus 24 percent of women, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology.
- Alcohol, sedatives, sleeping on the back, nasal congestion and excess weight increase snoring.
- A neck circumference over 17 inches (43 cm) in men raises sleep apnea risk.
- Obstructive sleep apnea affects an estimated 30 million US adults, and many are undiagnosed.
Remedies and when to test
Lose weight, sleep on your side, treat nasal allergies, avoid alcohol before bed and try nasal strips. A dentist can make a mandibular advancement device. See a doctor for loud snoring with gasps, pauses in breathing, morning headaches or heavy daytime sleepiness, since untreated sleep apnea raises risk of hypertension, heart disease and stroke. CPAP is the standard treatment for moderate to severe apnea.
Cause of the sound
Snoring comes from vibration of relaxed tissues in the throat when airflow narrows. About 40 percent of men snore regularly, versus about 24 percent of women, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Risk factors include obesity, larger neck size, alcohol, nasal congestion, back sleeping and age.
Remedies and when to test
Side sleeping, weight loss, avoiding alcohol before bed and treating congestion can help. Loud snoring with pauses in breathing, gasping and daytime sleepiness suggests obstructive sleep apnea, which affects roughly 1 in 4 men and is treated with CPAP or oral devices. A sleep study confirms the diagnosis.
Anatomy and sleep apnea link
Snoring arises from vibration of the soft palate, uvula and tongue base. Men have longer pharyngeal airways and more neck fat, increasing collapse risk. Obstructive sleep apnea affects an estimated 30 million Americans, with about 80 percent undiagnosed according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Untreated apnea raises risk of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, stroke and car accidents.
Treatments
CPAP is the gold standard, reducing the apnea hypopnea index by over 90 percent. Oral appliances advance the lower jaw. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (Inspire) is an option for selected patients. Losing 10 percent of body weight can cut apnea severity substantially. The GLP-1 drug tirzepatide (Zepbound) was approved in December 2024 for moderate to severe sleep apnea in adults with obesity.
Based on data from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the FDA
