What is Sexsomnia?

October 13, 2022

Sexsomnia is a medically-recognized sleep disorder. It’s also referred to as “sleep sex”.  After hearing the name, people may be unsure what sexsomnia really is, or even think that it may not seem too bad. 

Surprisingly enough, this diagnosable sleep disorder can be traumatizing, disruptive, and have deeply impactful effects on the quality and quantity of your sleep.

Poor sleep can impact multiple physiological functions – including sexual performance, mental health, and more. Those with sexsomnia perform sexual acts in their sleep (similar to sleep walking) and they generally have no idea what they did upon waking.

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What is Sexsomnia?

Sexsomnia is a parasomnia sleeping disorder. It involves abnormal, bizarre, unusual, or unwanted physical events that occur during sleep. The most common examples of this kind of behavior are sleepwalking or sleep talking. 

With sexsomnia, the events are sexual in nature. Sexsomnia events usually occur within the first few hours of sleep and can happen multiple times throughout the night. They can include penetrative sex with a partner, sexual or intimate motions, masturbation, and more.

Sexsomnia is still poorly understood, and it’s a difficult condition to study due to its rarity and poor identification (even among sufferers), who typically have no memory of their actions. 

The first well-documented case of sexsomnia occurred in 1986. In this case, a married man masturbated to climax every night after being asleep for several hours. Since then, there have been hundreds of documented cases of sexsomnia. 

It is unknown how many people experience sexsomnia worldwide, but small-scale observations suggest it’s fairly common. Nearly 8% of patients at a sleep disorder clinic were observed experiencing sexsomnia. But it is important to note that this sample pulled from a population of people who were being studied due to poor sleep. This suggests a number far higher than in the general population. The rate of sexsomnia events was roughly three times higher in men than women.

What are the Symptoms of Sexsomnia? 

The symptoms of sexsomnia vary from person to person.

Symptoms range from largely harmless to problematic and possibly even violent. However, instances of intense violent behavior are extremely rare. Early diagnosis is crucial for prevention of problematic and violent acts.

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for people accused of sexual assault to claim sexsomnia as their defense.

All this being said, most sexsomnia events involve self-induced pleasuring.

Common sexsomnia symptoms  include:

• Fondling or rubbing

• Moaning or panting

• Masturbation

• Pelvic thrusting that imitates sex

• Excessive sweating and elevated heart rate

• Spontaneous orgasms

• Attempts to initiate sex with a partner

• An absent look in the eyes

• No recollection of any activities

What Triggers Sexsomnia?

When the brain transitions between cycles of deep sleep, it can result in confusional arousals. During these arousals, a sleeping person seems to be awake, but their behavior is unusual.

Confusional arousals leave a person disoriented and unresponsive. Sometimes it may seem as if the person is acting out their dreams in real life. When a person is experiencing sexsomnia, they may be acting out a dream that’s sexual in nature.

While sexsomnia is still being researched extensively, health experts have found that the most common triggers of confusional arousal episodes include:

• Extreme exhaustion

• Drinking too much alcohol

• Using illicit drugs

• Stress and anxiety

• Poor sleeping schedule

• Low-quality sleeping conditions

• Frequent travel

• Sleep deprivation

• Contact with a bed partner

What are the Risk Factors for Sexsomnia?

Researchers have uncovered relationships between sexsomnia and other medical conditions. 

Having one or more of these conditions does not mean you will necessarily experience sexsomnia, but it can increase the odds.

Common risk factors for sexsomnia include:

• Sleepwalking 

• Restless leg syndrome

• Obstructive sleep apnea

• Epilepsy or seizures

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease

• Head injuries or frequent migraines

• Irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease

• How Can You Treat Sexsomnia?

Sexsomnia can often be treated like any other parasomnia sleeping disorder. Most episodes are triggered by inadequate or low quality sleep. Getting ample, quality sleep on a regular basis may help to reduce the frequency of sexsomnia episodes.

People with sexsomnia may also benefit from taking an anti-anxiety or antidepressant medication. Taking a mild sedative can help you sleep more deeply, preventing physical activity. In more severe cases, weighted blankets or even restraints may be required.

If you’re dealing with sexsomnia or another sleeping disorder, you may want to consult a doctor, sleep specialist, or even therapist.

Can Sleeping Disorders Lead to Other Sexual Issues?

Having any kind of sleeping disorder can affect sexual performance.

In fact, sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and shift work disorder are all associated with erectile dysfunction.

Additionally, certain sleep disorders can lower the production of testosterone – which can reduce men’s libido. 

Erectile Dysfunction

In most cases, ED is the result of a physical condition affecting circulation or the cardiovascular system. It can also be the result of psychological issues – such as stress, anxiety, or depression. 

Sleep deprivation brought on by sexsomnia or another sleeping disorder can lead to many of the psychological issues linked to ED. Additionally, poor sleep can cause blood flow issues, which may also lead to erectile dysfunction. 

Fortunately, ED is treatable. Common treatment options include: 

• Prescription medication: 

  •  Oral medications like Viagra® (sildenafil), Cialis® (tadalafil), or Levitra® (vardenafil) can help increase penile blood flow during arousal, creating an erection. They work well for the majority of men who try them, and they're unobtrusive.

• Vacuum pumps: These devices draw blood into your penis to create an erection. Using a constriction band or tension ring will help to keep the blood trapped and maintain the erection. To avoid potential health complications, do not wear a constriction band for longer than 30 minutes.  

• Injection therapy: There are certain ED medications that are injected directly into the penis. The goal is to increase the amount of blood flowing in, and decrease the amount of blood flowing out of the penis. More blood to the penis increases the chance of erection.

• Penile implants: Usually reserved for the most severe cases of erectile dysfunction, penile implant surgery can be an effective treatment. In the less expensive option, silicone rods are inserted into the penis to create a semi-permanent erection. The alternative involves implanting a special pump inside the scrotum that works on demand.

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Low Testosterone

Sleep deprivation can lower testosterone levels. This can trigger a variety of adverse effects, including a reduced libido. 

Getting enough sleep and eating more protein can help restore normal testosterone levels. Additionally, exercise like lifting weights is an effective way to boost testosterone production. 

How Rex MD Can Help

Sexsomnia is a parasomnia sleeping disorder that is not yet fully understood.

Still, many experts believe that increasing the quality and quantity of sleep can reduce the frequency of sexsomnia events in the same way that it can help with sleepwalking disorders.

Treating sleeping disorders may also help reduce other sexual dysfunction symptoms, like erectile dysfunction, and restore healthy testosterone levels. If treating the sleeping disorder does not eliminate these issues, using a prescription ED medication or alternative treatment may also help.   

Rex MD can help you get prescription ED medications – without even leaving your couch. Complete a free online consultation to see if prescription treatment is right for you.