A bed is good for two things: sleep and sex (although both of these activities can happen in other places as well). The bedroom is the location of these two activities, and it turns out that sex and sleep are closely related. A new study suggests that poor sleep quality can lead to problems in the bedroom, namely sexual dysfunction in women.
Mayo Clinic researchers surveyed more than 3,400 women in the United States about their sleep habits and sexual behavior. The study measured sexual desire, arousal, wetness, orgasm, satisfaction and pain during sex.
It was found that women who slept poorly were more likely to have unhappy sex lives. 63.3 percent of women who reported getting less than 5 hours of sleep each night had higher levels of sexual dysfunction, and scores on the Sexual Functioning Index were significantly lower than women who slept 7 or more hours a night. Sexually active women were more likely to report good sleep quality compared to sexually inactive women.
“This study highlights the link between poor sleep quality and sexual dysfunction. These are two common problems in middle-aged women that can be addressed to improve quality of life,” said study author Dr. Stephanie Fabion.
The researchers did not look for a specific explanation for this connection between a good sex life and good sleep. They found correlation, not causation. In addition, the study has several limitations that should be considered. Its participants were predominantly light-skinned, educated and in relationships, so the findings may not reflect the general population. The study also did not mention the sexual orientation of the participants.
However, many aspects of well-being and health are closely related to the quality of sleep we enjoy every day. Other studies have linked sleep deprivation to depression, neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s disease. Additional research shows that poor sleep can also affect men’s sexual function. A 2011 study found that sleep deprivation led to lower levels of testosterone, the hormone responsible for most of our sex drive, in young, healthy men.
Another study found that men suffering from sleep apnea (a sleep disorder in which breathing stops for a while) were more likely to have erectile dysfunction and a general decrease in sexual activity.
A good sex life is obviously a complex thing that varies from person to person and from relationship to relationship. This also applies to everything else, from health and wellness to personal choices and lifestyle. However, if you want to improve your sex life, we recommend that you get a good night sleep more often.