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Heavy snoring is often an early sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a more serious condition marked by intermittent episodes of breathing cessation that last for more than 10 seconds each.
A handful of recent studies point to a strong association between obstructive sleep apnea and erection problems. Although medical professionals remain uncertain about the underlying reasons for this connection, they strongly suggest that men who seek medical attention for erection problems also be screened for OSA and other sleep disorders.
It’s no secret that a good night’s sleep is part of a healthy lifestyle. Factors that interrupt normal sleeping patterns can lead to a wide array of health problems, not the least of which are erection problems, which can range in degree from mild to severe. And OSA, the most common form of sleep apnea, is inimical to a good night’s sleep and can lead to even more serious health problems.
If you suspect that you suffer from sleep disorders of any kind, particularly if you’ve been told you’re a snorer, it might be a good idea to be checked out for the existence of OSA or other sleep problems that can interfere with your health — both sexual and overall. These are problems that can be addressed medically, but nothing can be done until you’re diagnosed.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your upper airway is partial — or completely — blocked during your sleeping hours, according to WebMD.com. As a result of such temporary blockages, your chest muscles and diaphragm must work much harder to open the obstructed airway and pull air into the lungs.
Needless to say, this puts an extra burden on your chest muscles and diaphragm and may lead to a reduction in the volume of oxygen supplied to vital organs. It can also lead to irregular cardiac rhythms.
Signs and Symptoms of OSA
Loud snoring is perhaps the most common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, according to MayoClinic.org. However, here are some other signs and symptoms of this sleep disorder to keep an eye out for:
- Extreme drowsiness during the day.
- Observed (by a partner) incidents of interruptions in breathing pattern during sleep.
- Morning headaches.
- Sudden awakening that is accompanied by choking or gasping.
- Frequent mood changes, including recurrent episodes of depression and irritability.
- High blood pressure.
- Difficulties in concentrating.
- Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat.
- Decreased sexual desire.
- Nighttime sweating.
What Are the Causes of OSA?
During sleep the muscles of your body relax. These include the muscles in the back of your throat that control your airway. As they relax, the airway is constricted, which isn’t always a problem. However, in people with a narrow airway, the relaxation of these muscles can make it more difficult to move air in and out of the body.
Not surprisingly, obstructive sleep apnea is more common in men and women who are overweight. They have more soft tissue that can block an airway when the throat muscles relax.
Risk Factors for OSA
Obesity isn’t the only risk factor for sleep apnea, according to MedlinePlus.gov. Others include a large neck or collar size (17 inches or more in men and 16 inches or more in women), a lower jaw shorter than your upper jaw, oversize tonsils and adenoids that block the airway, and a larger than the normal tongue.
Palates and airways of a certain shape may cause them to collapse more readily, thus posing a greater threat of blockage. In such cases, surgical remedies might be indicated. Sleeping on your back might also make you more susceptible to airway blockage.
Recent Research Findings
A team of researchers affiliated with University College London Hospitals’ Institute of Urology assessed the incidence of OSA among men who came to a men’s health clinic complaining of erection problems.
The researchers published their findings in the December 2017 issue of “BJU International.”
Men newly diagnosed with erectile dysfunction were asked to complete two sleep questionnaires as well as the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire. Of 129 men diagnosed with ED, 71, or 55 percent, indicated a need for referral to a sleep specialist on the basis of their responses to the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Screening questionnaire.
Researchers reported that men with a score of 3 or higher on the apnea questionnaire, indicative of significant sleep problems, were generally older and more overweight than those with scores of 3 or lower.
How OSA Affects Your Sex Life
In an interview with AskMen.com, sleep expert Sabrina Magid-Katz pointed out that sleep apnea affects an estimated 16 million Americans. Because sleep apnea — especially OSA — degrades your overall sleep quality, it leads to fatigue and recurrent depression, both of which are antithetical to optimal sexual function for both men and women.
However, Magid-Katz explained that the effects of sleep apnea on hormones are yet another factor in its adverse impact on sexual function. Because it can lead to reduced levels of testosterone, apnea can result in a loss of sexual desire. It can also throw a monkey wrench into your efforts to stay fit and trim. “Other hormones that change with sleep apnea are those that control the full feeling and food cravings,” she noted. “This can make it more difficult to lose weight and affect self-confidence.”
Treating OSA
Perhaps the most widely used treatment for OSA is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. This involves the use of a bedside air pressure machine connected by a flexible plastic hose to a mask that fits firmly over the nose and mouth of the patient. When switched on, the unit supplies a steady stream of breathable air to the patient that is delivered with sufficient pressure to maintain an open airway.
In cases where congenital malformations of the airway or mouth cause an excess of soft tissue that interferes with nighttime respiration, surgery may be indicated. A recent study, published in the February 2018 issue of “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism,” showed that simultaneous treatment with CPAP therapy and low-dose vardenafil relieves ED symptoms and improves quality of life. Vardenafil, the active ingredient in Levitra and Staxyn, is a PDE5 inhibitor prescribed to temporarily optimize blood flow to the penis.
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