SLEEP is integral to our health and there are all sorts of reasons that you might struggle.
But sleep sex, or sexsomnia is a health condition that remains largely unheard and unspoken of.
Sexssomnia can have a huge impact on your life and your relationshipCredit: Getty
Individuals that suffer with the condition might not always know and it’s likely your partner will notice the symptoms before you do.
Experts at Delamere Health said sexsomniacs will engage in sexual vocalisations, masturbation, fondling and attempted intercourse.Â
But how do you know if you’re a sexsomniac and what are the signs to look out for?
What is sexsomnia?
The experts say that sexsomnia occurs during the non-rapid eye moment (NREM) sleep cycle.
It can often cause self-touching or sexual acts, but can also cause individuals to attempt sexual intimacy with others unknowingly.Â
Many people won’t realise they have it and in many cases, their actions can be a lot more aggressive than they would be if they were awake.
“Sexsomnia events can often result in physical effects on others, from lacerations to bruising.
“Those staying within close proximity of the individual suffering from sexsomnia should consider sleeping in separate bedrooms and locking the door until the issue is resolved”, the experts said.
How do I know if I have it?
Symptoms can vary from person to person and some people might be suffering from other disorders – with sexomnia being an additional consequence of these.
The experts said it can affect anyone, but added that it’s more common in men than women.
Here are the 12 main signs you might be suffering.
- Suffering from a sleep issues – other sleep disorders such as sleep walking or talking could trigger sexsomnia
- If you fondle or rub yourself or someone else in your sleep
- You wake up with fluid on you – caused from masturbating
- Pelvic thrusting that wakes you or your partner
- Orgasming spontaneously
- Breathing heavily
- Increased heart rate
- Not remembering what has happened
- Unresponsive during the event – this could be that you don’t answer someone or that you stare blankly or have a glazed look in your eyes
- Sleep related violence
- Engaging in sex while you’re asleep
- Suffering from other health ailments such as migraines or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
How to treat sexsomnia
While there is not specific drug to treat sexsomnia, doctors have been able to use other medications to help quell the symptoms.
Doctors say sedatives and antidepressants can work but that you should always speak to a medical professional to get a diagnosis as they will be able to advise you on the best medication for your condition.
The experts at Delamere Health explained that people who suffer from sexomnia can do a number of things to help their symptoms without taking medications.
One of the best things to do, they said, is to try and maintain and healthy and regular sleep pattern.
They added: “Monitoring your sleep behaviour will allow those suffering to find the triggers that are causing sleep sex, once those triggers are discovered, you might benefit from sleep therapy, therapy, counselling or prescribed meditation.Â
“Alcohol and drugs can heavily influence parasomnia, so it’s advised for individuals to limit usage or stop consumption overall.”
Risk factors
The experts added that there are some clear risk factors that make sexomnia more likely in some people than others.
They said: “These factors include sleep deprivation, stress, fatigue, anxiety, alcohol, medication and irregular sleep patterns.Â
“Using sleeping pills can often cause abnormal sleep-related behaviours, including sexsomnia, sleepwalking, sleep talking and sleep eating.
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“It’s extremely important for individuals taking this medicine to follow the dosage prescribed by their doctor. “
Underlying health issues can also lead to sexsomnia and this could include people with a history of sleep issues, restless leg syndrome, migraine, head injuries, epilepsy and other seizure disorders and irritable bowel syndrome.Â
If you think you’re suffering you should talk to your partner, they might be able to spot symptoms that you haven’t noticed.
