Campaigners today published research revealing a clear link between snoring and a poor sex life.

Over half of those questioned in the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association's survey said they would make love more often if they or their partner stopped snoring, while a third of couples admitted they hardly ever had sex because one or other of them snored.

The survey, to coincide with the launch of National Stop Snoring Week, also revealed that snoring can cause couples to row, and can in extreme cases lead to divorce.

Marianne Davey, co-founder of the association, said: "In the past we have looked at the clinical side of snoring like causes and treatments, but there is very little written about the psychosexual side of snoring.

"What people were saying to us is that their relationship would be better if snoring stopped and it really does affect their sexual relationship.

"What we can see is that snoring causes arguments which do not make for a happy relationship. This builds up and it can have a devastating effect. The end result is that relationships can break up."

Ms Davey added that snorers should try to find out the cause of their problem and have it treated.

The condition is commonly caused when people breathe through their mouth rather than the nose, so that hits the back of the throat and causes vibrations.

It can also occur as a result of sleep apnoea, when the muscles of the throat go floppy and cause narrowing of the airways. In extreme cases, this has been linked to heart attacks, high blood pressure and strokes.

The association's survey, questioned 537 men and 476 women were questioned and found that most of the suffering partners were women.

In unrelated campaigns, today also sees the launch of National Doughnut Week and National Depression Week.

· The British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association will be running a blog throughout National Stop Snoring Week at stopsnoringweek.blogspot.com