Yes — new-onset snoring during perimenopause is well-recognised and worth taking seriously. It is not simply a nuisance.

Oestrogen and progesterone help maintain the muscle tone of the upper airway — the throat and the soft tissues that keep the airway open during sleep. As these hormones decline, the muscles relax more during sleep, making the airway more likely to vibrate (causing snoring) or partially collapse (causing obstructive sleep apnoea).

The risk of sleep apnoea rises significantly after menopause. Before menopause, women have much lower rates of sleep apnoea than men; after menopause, the rates equalise. Perimenopause is when this risk begins to climb.

Please ask your doctor for a referral for a sleep study (polysomnography or a home sleep test) if your husband notices any of the following: you stopping breathing briefly during sleep, gasping or choking sounds, or if you feel unrefreshed even after a full night in bed, are very sleepy during the day, or have morning headaches. These suggest apnoea rather than simple snoring.

Untreated sleep apnoea increases cardiovascular risk, cognitive problems, and daytime impairment. If the study shows apnoea, CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy is highly effective. This is a medical situation that deserves proper investigation.