One consequence of untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that you may not think about are the consequences on your sex life. OSA lowers libido and strains intimacy from constant exhaustion - and that exhaustion can extend to your partner, as well.
Yet contrary to popular belief, sleep apnea treatment doesn't put a damper on intimacy. In fact, by restoring deep sleep, energy, and mood, treatment often brings couples closer together. Here, we’ll dive deeper into how untreated OSA affects sexual health, and how treatment can improve sexual function for both men and women.
How Untreated OSA Affects Sex Drive
Sleep apnea doesn’t only disrupt your sleep; it disrupts your entire hormonal balance, including your sex drive. When your sleep is interrupted, diminished testosterone levels often result, which impacts sex drive in both men and women. Research from the University of Chicago found that in just one week of disrupted sleep, there can be a 15% decrease in testosterone production.
How OSA Affects Men’s Sexual Health
For men in particular, beyond the hormonal disruption from untreated OSA, there is also diminished blood flow to the sex organs which can lead to erectile dysfunction (ED). The prevalence of ED in OSA patients was found to be 9.44 times higher than in non-OSA patients. Beyond ED, decreased testosterone can contribute to overall reduced sex drive, muscle mass, and sense of well-being.
In addition, when a man experiences ED, it can shine light onto an associated and even more concerning problem: cardiovascular issues. In fact, sleep apnea, ED, and cardiovascular issues can go hand in hand.
How OSA Affects Women’s Sexual Health
Women with sleep apnea can experience female sexual dysfunction as well, with issues ranging from sexual desire, lubrication, response, pain and ability to achieve orgasm. In addition, sleep apnea symptoms present differently in women, which can make it more difficult to diagnose.
OSA in women can also be associated with metabolic dysfunction such as insulin resistance, which in turn may affect fertility through Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS. In fact, 35% of women with PCOS also have OSA.
Symptoms women may experience with OSA include:
- Nighttime awakenings and insomnia
- Difficulty concentrating
- Abnormal early morning awakenings
- Frequent nighttime urination
- Waking up tired even after a full night of sleep
- Morning headaches
- Mood changes, depression, and anxiety
To learn more about how sleep apnea presents differently in women compared to men, read our article: The Silent Struggle: How Sleep Apnea Affects Women Differently
How Can Getting Treated for Sleep Apnea Improve Sexual Health?
Most studies on the impact of treating OSA on sexual health have focused on men; there is good evidence that treating sleep apnea can boost libido and reduce ED. In one study, 50% of patients with mild ED reported improvements; about 30% with moderate ED reported fewer problems, and 27% with severe ED said their problem had been mitigated by consistent CPAP therapy. While treating sleep apnea in women can likely help address symptoms that may contribute to decreased sex drive, more studies are needed to support this connection.
The positive effects of treating sleep apnea don’t stop at the individual level, bed partners also benefit! With 29% of Americans opting for “sleep divorce”, treatment means less snoring and night disruptions and more time with your partner.
Does CPAP Therapy Affect Intimacy?
These concerns are common and completely normal. Many patients are concerned how CPAP therapy makes them look and can feel self-conscious around their partner. However, the benefits of treatment typically outweigh the inconvenience of wearing a mask to sleep. With treatment, you may experience increased energy, libido, and sexual function. As always, open communication with your partner is important for addressing concerns and navigating this adjustment together.
How Can I Start Treating My Sleep Apnea?
While untreated sleep apnea can significantly impact your sexual health through hormonal disruption, fatigue, and vascular problems, CPAP therapy is a proven solution! . There are other treatment options available for sleep apnea, although the studies are more limited as to how they can help to improve libido and sexual function. It is essential to speak with a sleep medicine clinician to discuss your options to understand what would be best for you and your lifestyle.
At Ognomy Sleep, we’re revolutionizing how sleep apnea is managed by offering streamlined, at-home care powered by technology—helping you connect with specialists quickly to experience meaningful results in a matter of weeks. If you think you are suffering from undiagnosed sleep apnea, find out if Ognomy Sleep is the right fit for you. Schedule a telehealth appointment today. We offer a wide range of treatment options to ensure you get the personalized treatment to get you back to optimal health.
