What is sleep sex?
Sleep sex, or sexsomnia, is a sleep disorder that you may not have heard of. Parasomnia is the same as sexsomnia. The result of parasomnia occurs when your brain is caught in between stages of sleep. This phase can make you feel like you are awake even though you are still sleeping.
Sexsomnia is characterized by sleep-related sexual behaviors. The behaviors can range from masturbation and sexual activity to intercourse. Sleep sex can be treated by treating sleep disorders and behavioral issues.
Symptoms
Sexsomnia differs from sex dreams. Teenagers and adults often have dreams with sexual themes. These dreams are not the same as sexsomnia. This disorder causes people to engage in sexual behavior while sleeping, usually with others.
Parasomnia, such as sleep sex, can be difficult to diagnose because the person suffering from it may not even realize that they have the condition. The behaviors may be noticed first by partners, parents, friends, or roommates. It’s possible that the person suffering from this condition is unaware of it until someone else points it out.
Some of the common behaviors associated with sexsomnia are:
- Inducing or fondling foreplay between bed partners
- Pelvic thrusting
- Behaviors that mimic sexual activity
- Masturbation
- Sexual intercourse
- Orgasms spontaneous
- Glassy or vacant eyes are a sign of these behaviors.
- Unaware of the behavior and later discovering it
Parasomnia can be diagnosed if the person doesn’t realize the behavior when they awaken. Sexsomnia can cause an individual to act awake and have their eyes wide open. They may be experiencing amnesia and not remembering anything.
Sleep disorders can also be detected by subtle changes in sexual behavior. People with sexsomnia might be more assertive when they are having sleep sex. Because they are asleep, their inhibitions may be lower. This may make them appear different from others.
Causes
Doctors know that there are several factors that can cause sexsomnia. They include:
- sleep deprivation
- Stress increases
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- Certain medications
- Alcoholism
- Using recreational drugs or prescription medications that you were not prescribed
- Sleep patterns that are irregular
Risk factors
Medical conditions can also trigger sexsomnia. These conditions can interfere with sleep. These conditions include:
- Sleep disorders that include sleepwalking, sleep talking, or sleep talking
- Restless leg syndrome
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Sleep-related Epilepsy
- gastroesophageal acid reflux (GERD).
- Head injuries
- migraines
Incidence
There’s no way to know how common sexsomnia really is. However, it’s rare. In one study, 8 percent of patients at a Canadian clinic for sleep disorders showed signs of sexsomnia. The disorder was almost three times more common in men than it is in women. Women with sexsomnia are more likely to engage in masturbation.
Remember that the results of this study only include people who attend a sleep disorder clinic. This condition is probably much less common among the general population.
Some people may not disclose their symptoms, either because they are embarrassed or unaware of the condition. This could indicate that there are more cases than are known. Only four of the 832 Canadian participants who took part in the study expressed concern about sexsomnia when they met with sleep experts.
Help Wanted
It can be alarming to do things that you don’t remember doing while asleep. Masturbating is one example of harmless sexsomnia behavior. Others can be very serious. In rape cases, sexsomnia was used as a defense. Trusted Source.
The partners of people who suffer from sexsomnia might also worry that the behavior could be a sign of unhappiness in the relationship. This can cause a growing rift in your relationship with your loved one.
All of these are valid reasons for seeking help with your sleep disorder. Make an appointment with a specialist if your partner or loved ones report unusual sleeping behaviors over a period of weeks or months. Ask your doctor for a referral if you do not know of one.
Diagnosis
Ask anyone who has seen your sleep-sex behavior to record it before you see your doctor. Keep a sleep journal.
If it is, they may request that you undergo a sleep study to ascertain its cause. They may ask you to undergo a sleep study if it’s not.
Sleep studies are usually conducted in specialized medical facilities. The test is also known as polysomnography and records the following while sleeping:
- Brain waves
- Heart rate
- Breathing pattern
- Eye and leg movements
A single night at the sleep center could be sufficient. You may be asked to stay in the sleep center for several nights by your doctor so that they can better understand your sleeping patterns. Your doctor can confirm the diagnosis if the behavior occurs while you are in the sleep center.
Your doctor may order additional tests if you don’t experience sexsomnia while in the study center. Other tests may be used to eliminate other possible causes.
Treatment
The treatment of sexsomnia can be very effective. Treatment for sexsomnia includes:
Sleep disorders: how to treat them
Sexsomnia can be caused by another sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome. Treating the sleep disorder could also help stop unintentional sexual behavior.Sleep apnea can usually be treated using a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine.
Changes in medications
Switching medications may help if you begin a new prescription shortly before sexsomnia symptoms start. Parasomnia can be caused by sleep medications, even over-the-counter ones.
Medication for the underlying cause
Sexsomnia can be caused by conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Treatment options such as medication or talk therapy can help end sexual behaviors.
New drugs
Some medications may cause sexsomnia, while others can help prevent it. You may be prescribed antidepressants or seizure medications.
Outlook
In most cases, sexsomnia can be successfully treated by treating the underlying causes. You may experience sexsomnia again from time to time, especially if you have additional sleep disorders or if your sleeping patterns change. Treatment will help most people.
Tips to manage this condition
You can prevent future episodes of sexsomnia by making these lifestyle changes.
Speak to your family and friends.
Sexsomnia puts people you care about at risk. Personal relationships may be affected. You should let your family and friends know about the diagnosis, what you are doing to treat it, and how they can help. Honesty always works best.
Create a protective environment.
Set up a safe space for yourself and your loved ones until the treatments work.
- Sleep in separate bedrooms.
- Put yourself in a room that has a locked door.
- Set up alarms to alert others when you move around.
Avoid triggers
Sleep sex can be caused by drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs. You can prevent sexsomnia by identifying the triggers.
Good sleep hygiene is important.
It is important to get regular sleep each night in order to prevent sexsomnia. Sleep deprivation can cause episodes of the disorder. Stick to your bedtime.
Credit: The Web Health & Drugs Discussion Forum
