Most snoring in women is not caused by sleep apnea, but snoring is the most common side effect of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a medical condition where the airway becomes partially or completely blocked many times during sleep, causing interrupted breathing. The brain triggers adrenaline to stimulate the nervous system to wake up so you can open the airway. Even if you “sleep through it,” your quality of sleep is severely impacted. Research indicates that approximately 1 in 4 women in the US is at high risk for OSA and 90% of them are living with it undiagnosed. If you suspect you may have apnea, it’s important to discuss it with your doctor, because it increases the risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other serious health conditions. Diagnosis and treatment can require multiple doctor appointments, sleep tests, etc. While you go through that process, it’s helpful to begin treating the snoring immediately by using over-the-counter remedies. Opening the airway to stop the snoring helps improve oxygen intake, resulting in better sleep quality, energy level, mood, relationships, and overall health. Oral appliances (mouthpieces that pull the lower jaw forward) have been shown to be more effective in treating OSA in women than men.