Sleep is a vital part of life. It allows your body to recharge and recuperate from all the activities you do daily. It is usually recommended that adults get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to achieve optimal health. However, according to statistics, 1 in 3 adults do not get adequate sleep regularly.
Lack of enough sleep can adversely affect many different aspects of your well-being, including your sexual health. While it may not seem comfortable at first, it is essential to have open conversations about the impacts of sleep deprivation on your sex life so you can get the appropriate solutions. Read on to find out how lack of sleep can commonly affect your sexual health
1. Poor sleep results in less sexual drive
Several research studies found a possible link between sexual arousal and the amount of sleep you get daily. For example, a study published in the National Library of Medicine found that women’s libido or desire to engage in sexual intercourse could increase by up to 14% for every extra hour of sleep they get.
According to Dr Allison Siebern, a fellow in Standford University’s Insomnia and Behavioural Sleep Medicine Programme, sleep deprivation can result in low energy, fatigue, and drowsiness. All these may, in turn, affect the libido and reduce interest in sex. Additionally, in men, lack of enough sleep can lower their testosterone and cause low libido and further difficulty sleeping.
2. Lack of sleep contributes to infertility
The male body uses testosterone to produce sperm, an essential component of fertility and reproduction. Unfortunately, men who do not get enough sleep are susceptible to producing inadequate sperm or experiencing male hormone deficiency. Moreover, their low testosterone levels induced by sleep deprivation can negatively impact the quality of their existing sperm. All these factors and low libido can affect a man’s ability to conceive children.
On the other hand, for women, research studies found a link between long-term lack of sleep and having an irregular menstrual cycle that can trigger issues with ovulation. Ovulation is the period in which the ovaries release an egg. It is also the period wherein women are most likely to get pregnant.
3. Sleep deprivation can cause erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a medical condition in which a man cannot achieve or maintain an erection to have sexual intercourse. According to statistics, Singaporean men have around a 50-50 chance of erectile dysfunction.
Men who experience sleep disorders are more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction. This condition is mainly a symptom of other health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes, and sleep loss. A research study published in 2016 found that 63% of men who live with obstructive sleep apnea also experience this condition.
Conclusion
There are several different ways in which lack of sleep can affect your sexual health. Aside from decreasing the quality of your physical and mental well-being, sleep loss can adversely impact your sex life and cause various conditions like low libido, infertility, and erectile dysfunction. Therefore, if you want to achieve optimal sexual health, you must receive an adequate amount of sleep daily.
If you think your sexual well-being is already negatively affected by your poor sleeping habits, Elyon Clinic is here to help you! We are a highly trusted men’s health clinic in Singapore that offers accurate, confidential, and reliable screening tests and checkups for all patients concerned about their sexual health. Feel free to call us anytime to book an appointment with us at 6802 7208.
