It is natural for a person’s sex life to change depending on different conditions: stress, pregnancy, childbirth, children and many other reasons. However, these are not the only reasons. What do you have to do every day to keep a spark in your intimate life? Researchers point to a very important factor – sleep.
It turns out that it is because of poor sleep that women most often experience sexual dysfunction. So everything is very simple – if you do not sleep well, your sex life will suffer. A study from North America found that women who slept poorly were twice as likely to report problems such as lack of sexual interest or pleasure than those who slept enough on a daily basis.
“This study highlights the link between poor sleep and sexual dysfunction. These are the two most common problems for middle-aged women that could improve their quality of life,” said Stephanie Faubion, the author of this study.
Good sleep quality is associated with normal sexual activity. That shouldn’t come as a surprise, should it? If a tired woman has to choose between sex or sleep, it is natural that sleep will be the first choice. However, if you have enough rest, you will most likely want to have sex.
And sex can also help improve sleep quality. “Most women enjoy better sleep after indulging in sexual activity as the body releases hormones, including oxytocin and prolactin, after an orgasm,” says Wayne Ross, sleep researcher and adviser at InsideBedroom.
These hormones provide a feeling of satisfaction and relaxation, reduce the levels of the hormone cortisol, which causes stress, and increases the desire to sleep.
Lack of sleep can reduce the amount of hormones responsible for arousal
According to experts, sleep is essential for the release and regulation of hormones, including hormones that are responsible for sexual function and libido.
“Sleep is essential for hormone release and regulation, [including] the hormones responsible for sexual function and libido,” Chelsie Rohrscheib, PhD, lead neuroscientist and sleep specialist at Tatch, says. “Reduced sex hormones and increased stress hormones can majorly impact sex drive.”
She explains that sexual desire is regulated by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and high-quality sleep is essential for it to function properly.
“When we lose sleep, not only does the ANS not function as efficiently as it should, but we also raise our stress levels, which triggers our nervous system to enter survival mode. When we’re in survival mode, one of the first bodily functions to get sidelined is sexual desire and arousal,” she adds.
What can you do to improve your sleep and your sex life at the same time?
Chelsie Rohrscheib says a strict sleep schedule is required every night, even on holidays. It is also recommended to create a bedtime routine that will help you relax: it can be reading, listening to music, meditating or taking a bath.
Avoid screens before bedtime and stop taking caffeine for six hours before bedtime. Sleep 7-9 hours every night. “Science has consistently shown that getting less than seven hours of sleep has many detrimental effects on the brain and body,” Rohrscheib adds.