Hormones And Sleep Disorders

According to a recent study of American adults, women who have a higher level of an inflammatory agent called C-Reactive Protein, or CRP in their systems, are more likely to suffer from Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB).

Sleep disordered breathing manifests itself through shorter sleep duration, occasional or frequent snoring or snorting, and daytime sleepiness.

So where does c-reactive protein come from?

It’s a molecule that is produced by the liver. The levels of this protein rise when there is inflammation in the body, like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or vasculitis. The higher the levels of CRP, the greater the chance of sleep disordered breathing. However, this association was only found in women. Men who had higher levels of CRP did not suffer increased sleep disordered breathing.

Some studies have shown that reduced estrogen levels during and after menopause results in the increase of many inflammatory agents, including CRP. According to the University of Maryland Medical Centre, after menopause women lose the anti-inflammatory effects that estrogen provides.

But it doesn’t just apply to postmenopausal ladies.

Female hormones, specifically progesterone, that peak in the luteal phase of a women’s period may play a significant role in protecting pre-menopausal women from sleep-disordered breathing. The influence of female hormones on upper airway resistance during sleep was investigated during the follicular and luteal phases of normal menstrual cycles.

The American journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine states that within the menstrual cycle, upper airway resistance is lower in the luteal phase compared with the follicular phase.

What does it all mean?

In some cases, a woman’s sleep apnea or snoring may be connected to her hormone levels. If your snoring is a real problem, start tracking when you snore or suffer from sleep apnea. Keeping track may help to reveal a connection to your lifestyle or physiology. But most importantly, see your doctor.