Sleep deprivation can greatly affect a male’s sexual drive. Specifically, it can quickly result in Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Men who may be suffering from ED, but can't find out why may just be getting too little sleep.
Sleep deprivation is caused when you get less than your optimal sleep period, which for adults is 7-9 hours per day. A couple nights of sleep deprivation is not likely to cause ED, though you may have a lower sex drive in that time period.
However, chronic sleep deprivation, which can be caused by sleep disorders, can cause ED in men.
Sleep is important for sex drive because testosterone is mostly produced when you sleep. Testosterone is a hormone that is absolutely essential for having a strong libido, as well as for general sexual health and erectile function. With diminished levels of testosterone, a man will experience reduced sexual desire and sexual performance.
Testosterone levels normally peak in the morning and are at the lowest point before we fall asleep. In other words, sleep is like filling up your testosterone gas tank to be used throughout the day. A few extra hours of sleep can double your testosterone, and for every X hours of sleep you gain 15% more testosterone.
Reduced sex drive isn't all you have to worry about with sleep deprivation - there are many other health concerns
Reduced testosterone can cause:
For men, these things are rather important for sexual intercourse.
Let’s look at some examples of testosterone levels and sleep time.
First, a recent study examined erectile dysfunction and testosterone levels in 207 men with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes you to repeatedly stop breathing and then wake yourself up to begin breathing many times throughout the night, causing moderate to severe sleep deprivation. Here are the main findings of these studies:
In support of the last point, another study found that in 531 men, patients who slept 4 hours or less had half as much testosterone as patients who sleep 8+ hours.
Other studies have been remarkably consistent with their findings, with several other studies citing the ED sleep apnea link at 40%, 46%, 61% (referenced above), 64%, and 69%
Here are a bunch of tips to get you back on track for sleeping:
Sleep disorders can lead to chronic sleep deprivation and, in turn, cause ED in men. Here are common sleep disorders that you might deal with:
If you believe you are struggling with a sleeping disorder and it’s affecting your sex life, please contact us right away.