Snoring on TRT

[LVJR]

Guys,

Recently my wife has complained about my snoring and stated that this didn't happen until I started TRT. While I understand that there is no concrete data to support the correlation, it is ironic that many guys on TRT develop this condition.

Does anyone have feedback on this?

Thanks
LV

 

[Gene Devine]

Yes, there is a correlation between HRT and Snorring in men and is not an uncommon event.

Godforbid if I have a few cocktails as my wife ends up sleeping in the boys room LOL!

Nothing to worry about to be honest.

 

[LVJR]

Gene,

What's the correlation between TRT and snoring? From your experience, what is the reasoning?

 

[Gene Devine]

Gene,

What's the correlation between TRT and snoring? From your experience, what is the reasoning?

It's just a minor side effect of the drug..like any drug can do.

I have not read any published studies on "why" it happens other than some men on TRT stating that their snoring has increase in intensity and duration when they started TRT.

I can live with it versus the alternative.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

There are a few studies that link testosterone replacement with increased sleep apnea and potentially snoring (or what is called "upper airway collapsibility" )


P A Cistulli, R R Grunstein, and C E Sullivan
"Effect of testosterone administration on upper airway collapsibility during sleep." American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Vol. 149, No. 2 (1994), pp. 530-2.

Testosterone is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but the mechanism is unclear. We present a case in which testosterone administration induced or exacerbated OSA in a 13-year-old male. We demonstrated that exacerbation of OSA by testosterone was associated with an increase in upper airway collapsibility during sleep, and that this improved after cessation of hormone administration. Our data strongly suggest that the mechanism by which testosterone administration may induce or exacerbate OSA is through an influence on neuromuscular control of upper airway patency during sleep.

However, this review of studies found inconclusive evidence that TRT can worsen sleep apnea:

Testosterone Therapy and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Is There a Real Connection?
J Sex Med 2007;4;1241–1246.

ABSTRACT

Introduction.  With the recent increased recognition and treatment of hypogonadism in men, a caution has been given that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may cause or aggravate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA).

Aim.  To evaluate the scientific data behind the cautionary statements about TRT and OSA.

Main Outcome Measures.  Methodology and criteria for such studies and evaluation of documents and results based on methodology, duration, and outcome of treatment.

Methods.  A review of the literature on the subject of TRT and OSA was performed. The possible mechanisms of action of TRT, on breathing and respiration during sleep were explored.

Result.  Historically, the first such caution came in 1978. Since then, a few similar incidence reports have been cited. The total number of patients in such reports was very small, very disproportional to the millions of patients treated with TRT. Also, there was a lack of consistent findings connecting TRT to OSA. In addition, different results may occur with physiologic replacement vs. supraphysiologic doses in regard to breathing and OSA. The studies showing the effect of TRT on OSA and breathing were all case studies with small numbers of subjects and showed little effect of TRT on OSA in the majority of case reports. Only one study using supraphysiologic doses was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, which showed a development of OSA in healthy pooled subjects. The other reports were case studies with limited numbers of subjects, suggesting an inconsistent effect of supraphysiologic TRT on OSA and breathing.

Conclusion.  Cautionary statements about TRT in OSA appear frequently in the TRT literature and guidelines, despite lack of convincing evidence that TRT causes and/or aggravates OSA. Also, there is a lack of consistency in the findings connecting TRT to OSA. It is evident that the link between TRT and OSA is weak, based on methodological issues in many of the studies, and most studies involved small numbers of men. Further studies in this area are needed. Hanafy HM. Testosterone therapy and obstructive sleep apnea: Is there a real connection?

 

[ALEX]

I'm facing this problem ... snoring and sleep apnea. It's getting worse and now I've just bought a CPAP device to get some help.
Currently I'm on Cyp Test twice a week SC. I'm wondering if I change for T cream again in order to figure out if on this system the symptoms can improve. So comes a question : Snoring and sleep apnea is a peculiarity of TRT just for injections ( for any reason ) or for cream as well ?

 

[Nelson Vergel]

It seems to be dosed related so gels probably worsen apnea less than injections (unless T injections are small and more frequent).

Does Testosterone Worsen Sleep Apnea?: It Depends on the Dose
High hematocrit also seems to worsen apnea, so get that checked out.

Diagnosed with sleep apnea, how will it effect trt

 

[Steelballs]

Lift the head of your bed 2 inches and see if that helps you

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Sleeping on one's side instead of on your back also helps decrease snoring. Alcohol consumption before bed time can also increase snoring.