Can Sleep Apnea Ruin Your Sex Life?
Obstructive sleep apnea can be a pernicious presence in your life, robbing you of the rest you need to lead an active life. In past posts, I have discussed some of the worst symptoms of sleep apnea, including headaches, loss of focus, depression, and fatigue.
Well, we can now add sexual dysfunction to the list.
A number of new studies have zeroed in on sleep apnea as a cause of lost libido, impaired performance, and erectile dysfunction. As one ABC News article put it:
Most recently a study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine of women aged 28 to 64 found that those with sleep apnea were significantly more likely to suffer from loss of libido and sexual dysfunction.
Past studies in men have shown a similar spike in erectile dysfunction (ED) among men who suffer from the sleep disorder, such as a 2009 study done in Germany that reported that 70 percent of men referred seeking sleep apnea treatment also suffered from ED.
These are sobering statistics. Sleep apnea strikes at the heart of our sleep cycle, which regulates everything from insulin function to our emotional health. If you or someone you love snores often and never seems to get enough rest, it is possible that obstructive sleep apnea is the culprit.
The Los Angeles Sinus Institute specializes in some of the most advanced imaging and corrective technologies in the world for sleep apnea. To set up an appointment with an expert Los Angeles sinus surgeon today, please contact my office.
