Do you feel too tired to have sex? You are not the only one! Indeed, sexual life is closely linked to sleep. Therefore, there is a possibility that you might suffer from a sleep disorder.
Sleeping too little or sleeping poorly harms the sex life of both men and women. It is a cyclical issue: on the one hand, a night of non-restorative sleep means a morning filled with laziness and discouragement, leading to a lack of interest in sex. On the other hand, sleeping well and feeling rested boosts energy and makes daily activities more enjoyable.
Those who suffer from sleep disorders experience a decline in their libido levels, which consequently worsens the quality of their sexual relations. This is due to a negative alteration of the hormones responsible for awakening sexual desire, including testosterone and estrogen. As mentioned before, this affects both men and women.
The sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects men in such a way that it decreases the frequency and desire for sex. Additionally, testosterone levels are reduced, and the risk of cardiovascular problems increases, which can be related to erectile and other sexual dysfunctions. In the case of women, it is believed that insomnia and other sleep disorders caused by menopause are responsible for nights of non-restorative sleep and, therefore, a lack of disposition for sex.
While other factors such as diet and physical activity should be considered, lack of sleep and fatigue are the main aspects responsible for decreased libido.
For this reason, it is of utmost importance to seek a health professional specialized in sleep medicine to diagnose your disorder and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
OSA: A Sleep Disorder That Can Affect Libido and Cause Sexual Dysfunction
Obstructive sleep apnea affects sexual desire in such a manner that it also impacts the partner. This sleep disorder causes loud snoring and leads the patient to wake up multiple times during the night with a feeling of suffocation. It is not a pleasant sensation and does not allow the body to rest properly. Furthermore, the partner also suffers because they end up not resting enough due to snoring.
For diagnosing sleep apnea, the healthcare practitioner can order exams that monitor the patient’s sleep. One alternative for Digital Monitoring of Sleep Apnea is Biologix. This test can be performed at home, is simple, practical, effective, and does not require spending the night at a sleep lab. At bedtime, the patient only needs to place the Oxistar sensor®, a high-performance oximeter, on their finger and start the test in the Biologix app. Upon waking up the next morning, after finishing the test, the result will be available in a matter of seconds.
Another option is polysomnography. It consists of an exam carried out while the patient sleeps one night in a sleep lab. The patient is monitored with sensors that record the airflow through the nose and mouth, blood oxygenation, heart rate, brain activity, and movements of the chest and limbs.
Treatment for sleep apnea mostly includes lifestyle changes, like losing weight, and using devices for respiratory support during the night like the ones that provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). For mild cases, using oral appliances is a great option.
Now that you know about how lack of sleep affects your sexual life, seek medical advice for a better quality of life.
IMPORTANT! Only properly qualified physicians and dental surgeons can diagnose diseases, recommend treatments and prescribe medications. The information available herein is for educational purposes only.
