Sleep Disorders That Involve Sex

Posted by Janet Muniz, Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 12:00 PM by Janet Muniz

It's only recently that attention has been given to sleep disorders that involve sexual behavior. With names like "sexsomnia" and "sleep sex," these conditions are often misunderstood, can have legal consequences, and can certainly cause stress in a person's relationships.

Some people can actually be asleep while having sex, and not remember any of it. Eleven different sex-related sleep disorders exist and pertain to behaviors such as the more common fondling, masturbation, sexual assault or rape of a partner, to persistent sexual arousal syndrome, ictal sexual hyperarousal and ictal orgasm - What? Apparently the physiological state of ictal mimics the symptoms of a seizure or stroke.

Studies that psychiatrist Carl Schenck and his colleagues have reviewed point to the occurrence of other sleep disorders like sleep terrors or sleepwalking, as increased risks for sleep sex. Those at greater risk for experiencing sexsomnia could have a history of sleep apnea, bedwetting and seizure disorders.

How do you know if you're suffering from one of these sleep disorders?

Because sleep can induce a human's basic instincts – even the inappropriate ones – everyone from people's partners to the courts are grappling with who's at fault when it comes to sleep disorders that involve sex.

Having this type of sleep disorder doesn't necessarily point to psychological issues, either. But sexsomniacs can awaken with bruised appendages, feeling bewildered or embarrassed, show a lack of emotional intimacy and that's when they're awake. Partners report that sex can be everything from kinkier and more aggressive to gentler and more amorous.

If left untreated, a person runs a higher risk of developing a psychological problem such as depression, though. And isn't that the way of most sleep disorders?

Janet Muniz

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Posted by Michelle

September 09, 2008 at 11:15 AM

I have been told that I masterbate in my sleep by my new partner. I thought he was playing with me at first but he keeps telling me I do this. I am humiliated and embarrased and was a little relieved to find that this could be a disorder. I am 38 years old and am just experiencing the best sex of my life...does this have something to do with it??? I didnt believe him at first cause he says I stick my fingers into my vagina, but in a waken state I only massage the clitoris for stimulus and achieve orgasm that way. Since being with this man I have not to masturbate. Being told that I do this in my sleep (which he is not sure im sleeping, but I dont remember a thing) is causing some stress and am now looking for a way to stop it.

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