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Sexsomnia: What to Know About Sleep Sex

Updated April 26, 2024

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Table of Contents

What Are the Symptoms of Sexsomnia?
What Causes Sexsomnia?
What Triggers Sexsomnia?
How Is Sexsomnia Diagnosed?
How Is Sexsomnia Treated?
Coping With Sexsomnia

Key Takeaways

Sexsomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by engaging in sexual activities during sleep.
The causes of sexsomnia are not entirely clear but may be related to other sleep disorders and external factors like stress and alcohol.
A sleep study may help to diagnose sexsomnia, or identify another sleep disorder or medical condition associated with sexsomnia.
Treatment for sexsomnia depends on the underlying cause, but often includes medication, improving sleep hygiene, and reducing stress or triggers.

Sexsomnia, also known as sleep sex, is a type of sleep disorder known as a parasomnia. Parasomnias refer to unusual sensations and behaviors, such as sleepwalking, that people may experience or exhibit while asleep, falling asleep, or waking up. In the case of sexsomnia, people engage in sexual behaviors Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source such as masturbation, sexual movements, sexual aggression, or initiating sex with another person. Though their eyes may be open and they may make sexual noises, they are asleep during these activities and unaware of their behavior once they are awake.

It is difficult for experts to estimate how many people experience sexsomnia. The disorder can occur unexpectedly, and a person may not know they experience it unless another person notices the effects. However, nearly 8% of people at a sleep center exhibited symptoms Trusted Source American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) AASM sets standards and promotes excellence in sleep medicine health care, education, and research. View Source of the disorder.

Sexsomnia can cause considerable shame and distress for both people who experience it and their partners. However, treatment is possible and may include the use of medications or lifestyle changes, depending on the underlying cause of the parasomnia.

Is Your Sexsomnia a Concern?

Sexsomnia and other sleep disruptions are often indicative of other issues such as sleep apnea. Answer three questions to understand if you should be concerned.

Snore loudly?

Tired during the day?

Wake up short of breath?

What Are the Symptoms of Sexsomnia?

The symptoms of sexsomnia vary depending on the person, but the underlying feature of this parasomnia is that a sleeping person exhibits sexual behaviors that they are unaware of and unable to control. These behaviors can include Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source :

Masturbation
Fondling
Sexual noises
Sexual movements
Initiating sexual activities
Sexual aggression
Sexual assault

Sexsomnia can occur alongside other parasomnias, including sleepwalking and sleep talking. It appears to be more common Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source in men than in women, possibly up to three times more common. Masturbation is the most common behavior Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source in women with sexsomnia.

In addition to the sexual behaviors, signs that someone is acting under the influence of a sexual parasomnia include:

Unresponsiveness or minimal responsiveness to conversation or the environment
Unusual sexual responses or aggression
Inability to be woken, or difficulty being woken
No memory of their sexual behaviors once awake
Trauma to the genitals, often due to abrasion

Nocturnal emissions, commonly called “wet dreams,” are not the same thing as sexsomnia. Nocturnal emissions are considered a normal part Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source of male adolescent development and are also experienced by adult men Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . However, some people with sexsomnia may mistake their condition for nocturnal emissions if their behavior is not witnessed by another person.

What Causes Sexsomnia?

Research into the causes of sexsomnia remains limited, but experts have found that it is associated with a wide range of underlying conditions and risk factors. These include:

Other parasomnias, such as sleepwalking and REM sleep behavior disorder
Obstructive sleep apnea
Sleep-related seizures
Kleine-Levin syndrome
Chronic insomnia
Restless legs syndrome
Narcolepsy
Persistent sexual arousal syndrome
Sleep-related dissociative disorders
Nocturnal psychotic disorders
Bruxism Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , or teeth grinding

What Triggers Sexsomnia?

Not all sexsomnia can be linked to an underlying medical cause. Some cases appear to be brought on by environmental or lifestyle triggers. These triggers may also cause the onset of sexsomnia in people with an underlying disorder. Commonly reported triggers include stress, anxiety, depression, alcohol and substance use, and sleep deprivation. However, sexsomnia triggers also seem to vary from person to person.

How Is Sexsomnia Diagnosed?

Most people who experience symptoms of sexsomnia do not report them to their doctor. Shame is a common factor among people with this disorder, but it is important to remember that sexsomnia is often treatable, and medical professionals have your best interests in mind.

If you are concerned about the possibility that you experience this parasomnia, speaking to a medical professional is the first step in diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor may recommend a recorded sleep study, or video-polysomnography, in order to better understand your condition and any underlying sleep-related causes. This may include an extended electroencephalogram (EEG) to assess for seizures.

How Is Sexsomnia Treated?

Treatment for sexsomnia depends on the underlying cause.

Benzodiazepine (such as clonazepam) is commonly prescribed to treat sexsomnia. Sexsomnia associated with other sleep disorders is usually relieved by treating the underlying problem, such as the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or a mandibular advancement device Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source for obstructive sleep apnea. Cases of sexsomnia caused by seizures respond well to anticonvulsant therapy.

As sexsomnia appears to be caused by a wide range of conditions, your doctor may prescribe treatment options related to your unique circumstances. They may also suggest that you make lifestyle changes to avoid potential triggers and take steps to ensure your safety and the safety of others in your home until the condition is under control.

“There can be serious legal consequences when sexsomnia occurs. Precautions should be taken to avoid these problems. After a sleep study, the use of clonazepam may be the next most important step in treatment.”

Dr. Brandon Peters

Sleep Physician, Sleep Psychiatry Expert

Coping With Sexsomnia

Sexsomnia can be highly upsetting for both the person with the disorder and the people in their life. Since people with this parasomnia are unaware of and not in control of their actions while asleep, they may behave in ways they would never choose to while awake. This can pose serious, distressing complications around consent, as sexsomnia may cause someone to be sexually aggressive or initiate sex with a person they would otherwise not behave sexually with.

Receiving a diagnosis and appropriate treatment is the first step in coping with sexsomnia. While many people feel shame around their condition, speaking openly and honestly with the people in their life about diagnosis and treatment helps keep everyone safe. Counseling, both for the person with sexsomnia and any others who are affected, can help with the emotional toll this disorder can pose.

As sexsomnia treatment may not be immediately effective, it is crucial to take safety precautions as necessary. Depending on your situation, this may involve:

Sleeping in a separate room
Avoiding sleeping around strangers or minors
Locking bedroom doors
Avoiding all known or possible triggers
Setting movement alarms, particularly in cases of associated sleepwalking

It is crucial to have good sleep hygiene, which has been shown to help Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source people with parasomnias. Following a sleep schedule, winding down at the end of the day, and keeping a consistent bedtime routine are all part of healthy sleep hygiene.

Written By

Danielle Pacheco, Staff Writer

Danielle is originally from Vancouver, BC, where she has spent many hours staring at her ceiling trying to fall asleep. Danielle studied the science of sleep with a degree in psychology at the University of British Columbia

Medically Reviewed by

Dr. Brandon Peters, Sleep Physician, Sleep Psychiatry Expert

Brandon R. Peters, M.D., FAASM, is a double board-certified neurologist and sleep medicine specialist and fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine who currently practices at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in Seattle. He is a leading voice in sleep medicine who works at the cutting edge of medicine and technology to advance the field.

Learn more about our Editorial Team

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