Sexomnia is a type of sleep disorder characterized by sexual behavior or activity during sleep. It is considered a type of parasomnia, which is a category of sleep disorders that involve abnormal or unusual behaviors during sleep.
People with sexomnia may engage in sexual behaviors during sleep, such as masturbation, sexual touching, or even sexual intercourse. These behaviors can occur during any stage of sleep, including during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, or during transitions between sleep stages.
Sexomnia can be problematic for both the person experiencing it and their partners. The behavior can be embarrassing or even dangerous if the person engages in non-consensual sexual behavior while asleep. It can also cause stress or relationship problems.
Sexomnia can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, sleep deprivation, substance use, medication use, or other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome. Treatment options for sexomnia may include improving sleep hygiene, addressing underlying sleep disorders, and in some cases, medications such as benzodiazepines or antidepressants. It is important to consult with a medical professional if you think you may be experiencing sexomnia or any other sleep disorder.
How to know if you have it?
Sexomnia can be difficult to diagnose because the person experiencing it may not be aware of their behavior during sleep. Often, it is a partner who first notices the behavior and brings it to the person’s attention. However, there are some signs and symptoms that may suggest sexomnia:
Sexual behavior during sleep: Engaging in sexual behavior during sleep is the hallmark symptom of sexomnia. This can include sexual touching, masturbation, or even sexual intercourse.
Unawareness of behavior: People with sexomnia are often unaware of their behavior during sleep and may have no memory of it when they wake up.
Relationship problems: Sexomnia can cause stress and relationship problems if the person’s partner is uncomfortable with the behavior or if the behavior is non-consensual.
Daytime sleepiness: People with sexomnia may experience excessive daytime sleepiness due to disrupted sleep at night.
Other sleep disorders: Sexomnia may co-occur with other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome.
If you suspect that you or your partner may be experiencing sexomnia, it is important to consult with a medical professional. A sleep specialist can perform a sleep study or other diagnostic tests to determine if sexomnia or another sleep disorder is present. They can also recommend appropriate treatment options to improve sleep and reduce the likelihood of sexual behavior during sleep.
Who is at risk?
Sexomnia is a relatively rare sleep disorder, and it can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. However, some factors may increase the risk of developing sexomnia:
Sleep deprivation: Sleep deprivation can disrupt normal sleep patterns and increase the risk of parasomnias, including sexomnia.
Alcohol and drug use: Substance use can affect sleep quality and increase the risk of parasomnias, including sexomnia.
Mental health conditions: Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder may increase the risk of developing sexomnia.
Medications: Certain medications, such as antidepressants, can cause sleep disturbances and increase the risk of parasomnias, including sexomnia.
Sleep disorders: Other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and periodic limb movement disorder, may increase the risk of sexomnia.
It is important to note that not everyone who experiences these risk factors will develop sexomnia, and some people may develop sexomnia without any known risk factors. If you are experiencing symptoms of sexomnia or any other sleep disorder, it is important to talk to a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.
What is the solution and how to manage it?
The treatment and management of sexomnia depend on the severity of symptoms and underlying causes. Here are some potential solutions and management strategies:
Improve sleep hygiene: Practicing good sleep habits, such as going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, and creating a comfortable sleep environment, can improve sleep quality and reduce the risk of sexomnia.
Address underlying sleep disorders: Treating underlying sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome, can improve sleep quality and reduce the risk of parasomnias, including sexomnia.
Medications: In some cases, medications such as benzodiazepines or antidepressants may be prescribed to treat sexomnia.
Therapy: Therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), may be helpful for managing sexomnia and addressing underlying psychological factors that may contribute to the condition.
Safety measures: If sexomnia poses a risk to the person experiencing it or their partner, safety measures such as sleeping in separate beds or bedrooms may be necessary.
It is important to consult with a healthcare professional if you suspect you may have sexomnia or any other sleep disorder. A sleep specialist can provide a diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment options. With proper diagnosis and treatment, sexomnia can be managed effectively and improve overall sleep quality and well-being.