We took sleep for granted as kids, fighting naps and staying up well past our bedtime. But as adults, few things bring us greater joy than climbing into our comfy beds at the end of a long day. Waking up well-rested feels great physically and mentally, but it also has benefits for sexual performance too.
This article describes how sleep problems can lead to physical and physiological health issues that affect sexual functioning.
Below you’ll find:
- The relationship between sleep and health
- How poor sleep affects sexual functioning
- Steps to take to reclaim a good night’s sleep
The Connection Between a Good Night’s Sleep and Your Health
Does a good night’s sleep elude you? You’re not alone. The CDC recommends that adults get an average of 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night, but one in three adults struggle to meet this recommendation. While the number of hours of sleep is important, sleep quality also plays a factor in your health. If you wake up tired despite getting 7-9 hours of sleep, or you wake up several times during the night, you may be experiencing poor sleep quality. Similarly, snoring or waking up gasping for air, both potential signs of sleep disorders, also can indicate poor sleep quality.
Poor sleep quality is not just annoying; it can be detrimental to your physical health. Poor sleep is linked to chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity, as well as mental health conditions like depression. There is also evidence that poor sleep among older adults is also connected to poor sexual functioning. For instance, men who reported meeting optimal sleep hours (6-8 hours) had less difficulty achieving an orgasm compared to men who slept longer than the recommended hours of sleep per night (> 8 hours).
Sleep and Sexual Functioning
How does sleep affect your sexual functioning? Well, if you’re exhausted from poor sleep, it can make you too tired to have sex, but that’s not all. Sleep problems have been found to contribute to erectile dysfunction (ED). Anywhere from roughly 50%-80% of men who struggle with sleep apnea (where breathing stops and starts during sleep) will also report experiencing ED. Similarly, older men who have insomnia, defined as having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, are at increased risk for sexual dysfunction like ED, which researchers hypothesize is due to lowered testosterone levels.
Get Good Sleep to Bring Sex(y) Back
Trouble sleeping leads to problems that reach far beyond the bedroom, affecting sexual functioning and performance, as well as overall physical health. For men experiencing sleep problems, counting sheep won’t cut it. Medications to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), like Viagra, may be prescribed to address issues related to getting or maintain an erection, but it’s important to seek medical attention from a healthcare professional for serious sleep problems like sleep apnea.
Consistently getting a good night’s sleep can protect against physical health issues and promote better sexual performance, so it’s time to make sleep a priority. Talk to a medical professional, consider Viagra to assist with poor sleep-related ED, and engage in positive sleep hygiene behaviors.
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Kwynn holds a Master of Public Health and is currently pursuing a PhD in Social Work. Her research examines the intersections of health, technology, and gender-based violence.