The Hidden Toll of a Snoring Partner on Women March 25, 2025 Sharing a bed with a snoring partner isn’t just frustrating—it can seriously impact sleep and daily life. Women who live with heavy snorers are more likely to suffer from insomnia, morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, and fatigue compared to those with non-snoring partners.1,2 Over time, these sleep disruptions can affect energy levels, focus, and overall well-being. How Snoring Affects Sleep The louder and more frequent the snoring, the worse the impact on sleep and health.1 Women often struggle with interrupted sleep cycles, leading to fragmented rest that prevents them from reaching the deep, restorative stages of sleep.3 Even those who don’t snore themselves report waking up multiple times during the night due to their partner’s snoring. Interestingly, sleeping in separate rooms doesn’t always help—suggesting that the issue goes beyond noise.2 The anticipation of disrupted sleep, stress from the situation, and concerns about a partner’s health can contribute to ongoing sleep struggles, making it difficult to achieve full rest even in a quiet space.1,4 The Health Consequences Consistently poor sleep isn’t just about feeling groggy in the morning. It can lead to serious health issues, including a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cognitive decline.5,6 Broken sleep can also make it harder to concentrate, affect mood, and reduce productivity.7 Many women with snoring partners report feeling exhausted throughout the day, struggling to stay alert and focused. In fact, 44% of people in one survey reported feeling excessively sleepy the next day due to their partner’s snoring, making it difficult to stay productive.1 Low energy levels are another major complaint, affecting 28% of people, while 23% struggle with trouble concentrating.1 Impact on Relationships Snoring can strain relationships by disrupting sleep, leading to decreased empathy and communication challenges.1 Sleep-deprived partners become more irritable and prone to conflict, as even minor issues escalate into major disputes. When co-sleeping, one partner's snoring affects not just their own well-being but also the relationship. What Can Be Done? If you or your partner are affected by loud snoring, this could be a sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterised by snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, morning headaches, and waking up choking on a regular basis. The good news? Snoring isn’t just something to tolerate—there are solutions. Sleep apnea is easily diagnosed and treated, so consult your doctor if you are concerned. Sleep apnea affects one billion people worldwide, including 20% of Australians who experience moderate to severe cases.8,9 Yet despite its prevalence, more than 80% of cases go undiagnosed and untreated.10 For those diagnosed with sleep apnea, CPAP therapy may offer significant relief. How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time. If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek treatment advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&C’s apply. Citations 1. “When Your Partner Snores, No One Sleeps.” Sleep Foundation, 15 Feb. 2024, www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-news/when-your-partner-snores-no-one-sleeps. 2. Ulfberg, Jan, et al. “Adverse Health Effects among Women Living with Heavy Snorers.” Health Care for Women International, vol. 21, no. 2, Mar. 2000, pp. 81–90, https://doi.org/10.1080/073993300245311. 3. Benkirane, Oumaïma, et al. “Impact of Sleep Fragmentation on Cognition and Fatigue.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 19, no. 23, 22 Nov. 2022, p. 15485, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315485. 4. SEO, VIKTOR. “Why Does Snoring Make Me so Angry?” Ozlo, 7 Nov. 2024, ozlosleep.com/blogs/news/why-does-snoring-make-me-angry. 5. “Poor Sleep Linked to Years of Poor Cardiovascular Health.” The University of Sydney, 2025, www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2023/03/02/poor-sleep-linked-to-years-of-poor-cardiovascular-health.html. 6. Spira, Adam P., et al. “Impact of Sleep on the Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia.” Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 18 July 2023,https://doi.org/10.1097/yco.0000000000000106. 7. Suni, Eric. “How Lack of Sleep Impacts Cognitive Performance and Focus.” .” Sleep Foundation, vol. 27, no. 6, Nov. 2014, pp. 478–483, www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-deprivation/lack-of-sleep-and-cognitive-impairment. 8. Benjafield, Adam V, et al. “Estimation of the Global Prevalence and Burden of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Literature-Based Analysis.” The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, vol. 7, no. 8, Aug. 2019, pp. 687–698, https://doi.org/10.1016/s2213-2600(19)30198-5. 9. Soenen, Stijn, et al. “Sleep Health Primary Care Clinical Resource.” Australian Journal of General Practice, vol. 53, no. 6, 1 June 2024, pp. 349–355, https://doi.org/10.31128/ajgp-03-23-6779. 10. Laher, I., Faria, A., Allen, H.A., Fox, N. and Ayas, N. (2021b). The Public Health Burden of Obstructive Sleep Apnea REVIEWS. Sleep Sci, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 257–265, https://doi.org/10.5935/1984-0063.20200111.
