Sexsomnia – What is it?

Sexsomnia is considered to be one of many different parasomnias. Other parasomnias include sleepwalking, sleep talking, night terrors, and sleep eating. Sexsomnia is a parasomnia where people experience sexual behavior while they are asleep. It is similar to sleepwalking and sleep eating, whereas, the person is amnesic during the episode and therefore is not awake and does not remember the episode. They may have their eyes open and appear to be awake, but they are still in a deep state of sleep. Sexsomnia is different than sexual dreams because people with this sleeping disorder actual engage in sexual behaviors while they are sleeping either with themselves or others.

Women with sexsomnia tend to engage in sexual behaviors like masturbation more often than engaging with another person. Men tend to fondle and engage in intercourse with their bed partner. A person with sexsomnia will not know of their behavior until it is recognized and told to them by someone else, usually their sleeping partner. Common behaviors associated with this condition include fondling and foreplay with a bed partner, pelvic thrusting, masturbation, sexual intercourse, a glassy vacant look in the person’s eyes with the disorder, and being completely unaware of one’s actions after experiencing an episode. Typically those who experience sexsomnia have other sleep disorders like driving and eating while asleep, or sleep apnea.

What causes it?

Sleep physicians and experts believe that sexsomnia may be caused by stress, sleep deprivation, anxiety, fatigue, irregular sleep patterns, and excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs. Episodes may be triggered by physical contact with ones sleeping partner. It is believed that, much like sleepwalking and other parasomnias, sexsomnia is caused by confusion arousals. Confusion arousals are disturbances of disruption while transitioning between deep sleep cycles. During a confusion arousal, one is in an amnesic state and not completely acting like oneself, is not awake, and will not remember the episode.

Possible solutions

Much like other parasomnias, the best way found to treat sexsomnia is to get a good night’s sleep. Maintaining a consistent and healthy sleep duration through the night is the best defense. In most reported cases after getting more sleep and higher quality sleep, sexsomnia symptoms were reduced and eventually went away. Along the same lines, treatment to any underlying condition that may be causing the parasomnia, such as, sleep apnea or sleep deprivation, also has been found to reduce symptoms.

Treatment other than behavior or lifestyle changes that have been proven useful include medical treatment such as:

  • Antidepressants and anxiety medication
  • CPAP therapy
  • mild sedatives
  • mouth guards, bite plates, or mandibular advancement devices prescribed by a physician or dentist

Why get treatment?

If you have sexsomnia or have experienced some of the symptoms of sexual behavior in your sleep you should seek treatment. Most people have found relief from symptoms and get a better night sleep with treatment. For tips on lifestyle and behavior changes, you can make to directly impact your sleep immediately cruise our Vitalisticssite and our articles on other sleeping disorders and parasomnias. Make these changes and get the sleep you need. In addition to stopping these possibly embarrassing episodes, you will also wake up feeling more refreshed and less tired during the day.

Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice; the Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.