Sleep impacts every aspect of our lives, and our sex lives are not immune to this relationship. Sleep problems, particularly sleep disordered breathing (snoring and sleep apnea), directly affect our sex lives – from our desire to our ability to perform sexually to our likelihood of having a willing partner in bed with us.

Several studies have shown that people who snore report decreased sexual desire and satisfaction than similar people who don’t snore. People in snoring relationships have less sex than similar “non-snoring” couples.

Among men, severe snoring and sleep apnea have been linked to erectile dysfunction and decreased performance. Among women, sleep apnea has been shown to reduce arousal, sensation, lubrication and orgasm.

Add to these findings the fact that snoring and sleep apnea often physically drive couples apart – some 20% of married couples regularly sleep apart due to snoring… and if you aren’t in the same room, it’s hard to get romantic!

Filed under:
Sex, Sleep, Sleep Apnea, Snoring by Dr. Craig Schwimmer