Stopping snoring could improve your sex life

It's National Stop Snoring Week and, say the organisers, men should be taking this seriously, especially if they're happily snoring away while their partner suffers. According to their survey, 60% of partners of snorers said they would make love more often if only there partner would shut up.

The British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association confirmed that most of the suffering partners are women. 'Snoring is one of the few complaints that directly affects the health of another, normally the bed partner,' they say. 'Sharing a bed with a snorer can have deleterious effects on sleep, health and quality of life and very often causes friction within the relationship, not least, creating a negative effect on a couple's sexual relationship'.

In the study, snorers admitted that frustration, being upset and anger were feelings expressed by their bed partners. Not surprisingly being tired and irritable in the morning was cited by more than 50% of partners. One respondent to our study said 'I want him to stop snoring and stop waking me up in the middle of the night'.

Nearly 70% of snoring couples sleep in separate rooms. One snorer admitted to sleeping in a hammock in the spare room and enjoying the best sleep for 20 years. He said 'I simply got fed up with being hit all the time...'

Six simple snoring solutions

1. Taking-up singing may tone-up flabby throat muscles reducing what experts at Exeter Univeristy call those 'irritating night time vibrations'.
2. Sewing a tennis ball into the back of the snorer's pyjamas makes it uncomfortable to sleep on your back. Sleeping on your side usually reduces snoring.
3. Look like a dozing Robbie Fowler with nasal strips that hold open the airways, allow better air-flow and reduce noise.
4. Some suggest sticking a baby's dummy in the snorer's mouth. But be careful!
5. Some snorers swear by vapour rub on the chest. And they probably have fewer colds too.
6. Try getting rid of your pillow

More on snoring and sleep problems on malehealth.