Over 40 million men in the United States struggle with erectile dysfunction (ED). It’s a common medical condition among adult men which is caused by a variety of certain factors that may include sleep.
A quick rundown on erectile dysfunction (ED): what you need to know
Erectile dysfunction refers to the inability to produce or sustain an erection hard and firm enough to engage in penetrative sex. ED also refers to the inability to keep an otherwise normal erection for sex, the inability to produce an erection each time you have sex, or the complete and total lack of erectile function, even when stimulated.
ED can be an acute problem that arises every now and then or a chronic issue that may develop over time.
ED doesn’t only affect your ability to enjoy sex, but it can also affect your self-esteem and your sex life negatively.
ED is caused by a number of factors. Is lack of sleep one of them? Can a lack of sleep or sleep deprivation cause erectile dysfunction (ED)? Let’s find out.
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Does getting inadequate amounts of sleep cause ED?
We earlier said that inadequate amounts or lack of sleep can affect physical, mental, and sexual health. But how does it affect sexual and erectile function?
Sexual dysfunctions may involve a disinterest in sex or low libido, an inability to climax and orgasm, and in rare cases, may involve erections that cause pain, leading to unpleasant or painful sex.
Lack of sleep is a known potential cause of ED. Meanwhile, long-term sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia, or narcolepsy may be risk factors that come with ED.
If you have problems falling or staying asleep, or if you wake up in the morning feeling tired despite getting sleep, you might have insomnia – leading to a heightened risk of developing erectile dysfunction. Sleep deprivation disrupted sleep patterns, and lack of quality sleep all contribute to ED risk.
Sleep apnea, meanwhile, is a condition where an individual’s breathing stops and starts repeatedly.
Sleep apnea comes in two forms: obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form, happens when the upper airway is blocked and airflow substantially diminishes or stops. On the other hand, central sleep apnea happens when the brain fails to send breathing signals. Central sleep apnea is caused by underlying medical conditions that affect how the brain controls the airway and its associated muscles.
Severe sleep apnea symptoms include excessively loud snoring, drowsiness during the daytime, headaches, reduced sex drive, or the development of sexual dysfunctions.
A study conducted in 2016 indicated that obstructive sleep apnea is linked to a substantially higher risk of developing ED. Worse, disrupted sleep patterns due to sleep disorders like apnea can reduce your testosterone levels. Generally, testosterone levels are at their peak concentrations during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a state of deep sleep associated with dreaming.
Sleep disruptions may cause hypogonadal symptoms – a condition wherein the body’s reproductive glands fail to produce adequate amounts of hormones. This can lead to ED.
If that’s not enough, the lack of sleep can also do a number on your sex life by worsening mental issues like anxiety and depression, to name a few.
Mental health conditions often affect libido in men, and in a 2015 study, it was found that a strong link between mental health issues and ED exists.
Sleep deprivation may also lead to relationship problems that may cross over into both partners’ sex lives, besides increasing stress and the likelihood of conflict.
Lastly, if you’re working night shifts or non-standard hours, it might throw your body’s internal clock responsible for making sure you bodily functions run on time – also known as the circadian rhythm – out of whack. This might lead to sexual dysfunctions like ED.
What can I do to get better sleep and improve my ED symptoms?
It’s clear that the lack of sleep DOES affect erectile health and function. That said, let’s look at some ways to address the situation.
That said, since ED and sleep deprivation are indeed connected, focusing on improving both aspects of your sleep hygiene and sexual health can do wonders for your sex life and overall well-being.
Getting better sleep starts with consulting your doctor. Early diagnosis and proper treatment of sleep disorders not only improve your sleep and quality of life – it may also enhance your sex life altogether.
Forming new sleeping habits is key to getting better sleep. Try going to sleep and waking up at a set daily time, keeping the room you sleep in dark, cool, and quiet, and getting regular exercise during the day can all play a part in improving your sleep hygiene.
For chronic, long-term insomnia, your healthcare provider may recommend you undergo cognitive behavioral therapy to treat the underlying cause of your insomnia. CBT may help you determine the underlying reasons for your sleep issues and identify thought and behavioral patterns that exacerbate existing sleep problems and replace them with sleep-enhancing habits.
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If lack of sleep isn’t causing your ED symptoms, you have other options such as FDA-approved erectile dysfunction drugs. These include sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), vardenafil (Levitra®), and avanafil (Stendra®), which belong to a class of ED drugs known as PDE-5 inhibitors.
Another option is therapy, which is helpful if you’re dealing with mental health issues like anxiety and depression or with sleep disorders like insomnia.
Lastly, lifestyle changes such as getting regular aerobic exercise, eating a well-balanced diet, reducing alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking all help improve erectile dysfunction outcomes.
The final word on sleep deprivation and ED
Does sleep deprivation cause ED? The short answer is yes. A lack of sleep can cause declining mental health, to diminishing testosterone levels, and a variety of other related factors can seriously hinder your sex life, sexual performance, and overall health.
Fortunately, you have more than a few options to treat ED and manage sleep disorders. From improving your sleep hygiene to forming new habits and creating a sensible bedtime routine, to consulting a doctor and exploring your ED drug options, this is a problem that can be solved.
