What Is Sleep Sex (Sexosmnia)? How To Know If You Have It; Who Is At Risk?

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Sleep walking, sleep talking, and even sleep-driving may be familiar to you, but what about sleep sex?

As bizarre as it sounds, Sexsomnia is a type of parasomnia, a condition caused by the brain being caught in between sleep stages. This in-between period may cause you to act as if you are awake even though you are asleep [1].

What Causes Sexsomnia?

A person with sexsomnia experiences sleep-related sexual behaviour, which can range from masturbation to sexual relations.

What Causes Sexsomnia?

Doctors are not certain why some people develop sexsomnia, but they do know of several factors that can contribute to it. These include the following [2]:

• Insomnia
• Alcohol consumption
• Using recreational drugs
• Increased stress
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Certain medications

What Are The Symptoms Of Sexsomnia?

In the case of parasomnias such as sleep sex, the individual may not realize he or she has the disorder. Partners, parents, room-mate, or friends may observe the symptoms first. It is possible that the individual with the condition may not be aware of the condition until they are brought to their attention by another individual [3].

A person with sexsomnia may exhibit the following symptoms:

• Inducing foreplay with a partner, while they are sleeping, by fondling or kissing
• Thrusting of the pelvis
• Sexually suggestive behaviours
• Masturbation
• Sexual intercourse
• Spontaneous orgasm
• A glassy, vacant look is evident in the eyes during these behaviours
• Unawareness of the behaviour they wake up

When the individual experiencing sexsomnia is unaware of the behaviour after they wake up, this may be a sign of a parasomnia. The individual experiencing sexsomnia may maintain their alertness and act awake, however, they will not remember anything after their sleep period [4].

Who Is At Risk Of Developing Sexsomnia?

Sexsomnia may also be caused by underlying medical conditions. These conditions commonly interfere with sleep [5]. A person who has the following could be at risk of developing sexsomnia:

• Head injuries
• Migraines
• Sleep disorders that occur simultaneously, such as sleep talking or sleepwalking
• Restless leg syndrome
• Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Sleep-related epilepsy
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

It was found that men were almost three times as likely to suffer from sexsomnia than women. Women suffering from sexsomnia were also more likely to engage in masturbation.

How Is Sexsomnia Treated?

There are a number of effective treatments available for sexsomnia. These include the following:

• Identifying and treating underlying sleep disorders
• Treatment of underlying causes with medications
• Medication changes

Sexsomnia Vs Sex Dreams

There is a distinction between sexsomnia and sex dreams. Teenagers and adults often have sex-themed dreams. These experiences are quite different from those associated with sexsomnia [6].

People with sexsomnia engage in sexual behaviours while asleep, usually with other people.

On A Final Note...

Generally, treating the underlying causes of sexsomnia will be successful. However, you may occasionally experience sexsomnia again, especially if your sleep patterns change or if you develop additional sleep disorders.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.