Unlike sleepwalking and sleeptalking which are pretty common, sexsomnia is a very rare sleep disorder. Sexsomnia is actually a form of parasomnia, which means it’s a nervous system disorder characterized by abnormal sexual behavior while sleeping.

            Sexsomnia is more commonly referred to as sleep sex. And just like sleeptalking or sleepwalking wherein you talk or while you’re asleep, sleep sex means you engage in sexual activities while you’re still actually sleeping. Here’s what you should know about this rare but potentially dangerous sleep disorder.

Symptoms of Sleep Sex

            Sleep sex or sexsomnia is totally different from having a wet dream. When you have a wet dream, you orgasm in your sleep because of a dream, which doesn’t have to be erotic. On the other hand, when you have sleep sex, you actually engage in sexual activities as if you’re fully awake.

            The problem with sexsomnia is that you won’t know yourself that you’re experiencing it unless someone tells you about it. If you have your bedroom to yourself, you won’t know that you’ve been masturbating, moaning, or thrusting in your sleep.

            Unfortunately, when you have sexsomnia and you share your room or your bed with someone else, you’ll most likely end up engaging in sexual activities with that person while you’re unconscious and asleep.

            Sexual behaviors that people with sexsomnia engage in include pelvic thrusting, masturbation, and spontaneous orgasm. If you have a bed partner, you may end up fondling your bed partner or engaging in foreplay with your bed partner.

            You might actually end up having sex with your bed partner. People with sexsomnia sometimes exhibit more sexual assertiveness while they’re engaged in sleep sex. That’s because their inhibitions are lower since they’re not really in full control of their faculties while they’re having sleep sex.

            Some people with sexsomnia act as if they’re having sex with someone even though they’re sleeping alone. They may behave as if they’re going through the motions of having sex even when they’re not doing it with a partner.

            For instance, they may act as if they’re caressing, fondling, or kissing someone. And they may even achieve an orgasm during sleep sex. Moaning, sweating, and having an elevated heart rate are also common during sleep sex. In addition, persons with sexsomnia find it difficult to wake up during a sleep sex episode.

            People with sexsomnia usually have a vacant look in their eyes while they’re engaging in these behaviors. And they wouldn’t be aware of what they’re doing, nor would they remember their actions when they wake up.

            Sexsomnia may also be accompanied by sleepwalking or sleeptalking. This makes the disorder more problematic. If you’re alone in your room, you might end up going out of your room or even going out of the house and engaging in sleep sex outside.

            This is also why sleep sex often has negative consequences. If you’ve been having sex with a stranger while you’re actually asleep, you wouldn’t know if that person has an STD. Or you may end up getting reported to the police because of your abnormal sexual behavior.

            Just imagine what would happen if you went out of the house and then you started fondling people you meet on the street. Or if you went out of your room and started masturbating yourself in front of your roommates or family.

Factors That May Lead to Sexsomnia

            Because sexsomnia is quite rare, there’s still a lack of in-depth studies about the disorder. Doctors have yet to determine the exact causes of sexsomnia. For now, only contributing factors have been identified. These include stress, anxiety, and fatigue.

            Sleep deprivation, excessive alcohol consumption, taking certain medications, and irregular sleep patterns can also contribute to sleep sex. Poor sleeping conditions, shift work, travel, and poor sleep hygiene and schedule may also trigger an episode of sleep sex.

            Risk factors of sexsomnia include sleep-related epilepsy and obstructive sleep apnea, which disrupts deep sleep. Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is also tied to sleep sex. Other risk factors include restless leg syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraine headaches, Crohn’s disease, colitis, head trauma or injuries, and Parkinson’s disease.

Treatment Options

            Once diagnosed, sexsomnia is often easily treated. If sexsomnia is caused by another underlying sleep disorder like obstructive sleep apnea, treatment of the underlying condition can put a stop to the abnormal sexual behavior. Your doctor may advise you to use a continuous positive airway pressure machine or CPAP machine for your sleep apnea.

            If your doctor has determined that your sexsomnia was triggered by a medication that you’re taking, then your doctor may give you a prescription for a different medication. If your sexsomnia is triggered by stress, depression, or anxiety, then your doctor may prescribe medications for those conditions or advise you to undergo talk therapy.

            Your sleep disorder can endanger your life, put your family or roommates at risk, and negatively affect your personal relationships. So, while you’re undergoing treatment for sexsomnia, it’s a good idea to set up some safety measures to protect yourself as well as your family or housemates.

            For instance, you should sleep in a separate bedroom and install additional locks in your room. Try setting up an alarm system that will notify other members of the household whenever you go out of your room at night. You should also avoid exposing yourself to sexsomnia triggers like alcohol and stress.

Managing Your Stress Levels

            Maca and Tongkat Ali are excellent herbal remedies for stress. These herbs are well-known as potent adaptogens, meaning they help improve your body’s ability to respond to stress. Aside from having adaptogenic properties, maca and Tongkat Ali also have ergogenic effects as well as pro-sexual and pro-fertility properties.

            Both maca and Tongkat Ali are contained in natural male sex enhancement supplement that can give you a testosterone boost. It can also help increase your drive for sex and enhance your erectile function.

            Aside from Tongkat Ali and maca, this also contains Tribulus terrestris, horny goat weed, damiana, Butea superba, muira puama, and L-arginine. With these amazing ingredients, it can help you achieve the sexual vigor you’ve been wishing for.