The role of sleep in sexual health and erectile dysfunction (ED)
In diagnosing and treating just about any health-issue, from minor to serious ones, medical professionals will often leave you with a couple of bits of advice: stay hydrated (drink water) and get adequate sleep. Even if they don’t tell you those things explicitly, by now most of us know that those are two of the bedrock habits for any healthy lifestyle. That includes your sexual health, and Riize Health has become a telemedicine leader in, creating and providing effective products for treating and enhancing your sexual well-being.
The Riize commitment to patient access, security and privacy, as well as our licensed physician network, has allowed continued advancement of a complete wellness standard. When it comes to a highly personal health issue like sexual function and erectile dysfunction, it’s most effective to take a wholistic approach. That often means considering all possible causal factors for what is creating the condition, including those that may seem only generally related. Such is the case with the “sleep factor”.
There are some circumstances where too much sleep may be a problem, but overall, you will rarely hear a doctor tell you to “get less sleep”. The fact is, sleep is as foundational to good health as diet and exercise. In the case of issues like weight management and erectile dysfunction, this is especially true. Nearly everyone gets the “diet and exercise” part of contributing to good health, but sleep is often given less of a priority, as busy schedules often make us think that we can “get by” for one night on less sleep. The problem is that it’s easy to get into the habit of thinking and functioning that way, without realizing the stress its placing on your health. That’s especially important if you’re trying to treat and take corrective actions for something like ED.
What do we know about sleep?
For a lot of human history, there wasn’t much of a connection made between sleep and health. The focus for many cultures in earlier times was on the dream aspects of sleep and the meaning of dreams. It wasn’t until the mid 1800’s and early 1900’s that sleep began to be studied scientifically in relation to physiology and brain activity, including the effects of sleep deprivation. Since then, a great has been learned and proven about sleep in terms of its importance and its effects on health.
What does sleep do?
The short, simplistic answer is that it makes you not tired anymore. You go to sleep because you’re tired, and when you wake up, you’re ready to go again. The more scientific answer is that sleep restores the body and the brain, and it is necessary for both to get the right amount of restoration time. Sleep helps heal and repair heart and blood vessels, supports muscle and cell repair, and even helps remove toxins from the brain. We’ll get more in depth on the function of sleep and its physical and mental effects in the future, but for now, just know that sleep is every bit as necessary and food and water.
How much sleep do you need?
Every individual is different, but based on an overwhelming amount of study data and observation, there are some generally accepted guidelines. In order to maintain healthy brain and physiological function, most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep, allowing for the exceptions that some people may get by on 6 hours, and others may need 10. Not getting the right amount of sleep can have negative effects on concentration, decision making, remembering and impulse control. It can also adversely affect the cardiovascular system.
Types of sleep problems or disorders
First, there is just plain lack of sleep. This is where, by either choice or necessity, you don’t get the sleep that is right for you – the sleep you need to feel and function optimally. There is also insomnia, which is being unable to sleep, even though you want to and are trying to. And finally, there is sleep apnea, which is a physiological condition. Sleep apnea is distinguished by sleep being interrupted because breathing stopped. There is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA) and can be a serious medical condition. More about these in future posts.
Whether it’s lack of sleep, insomnia, or sleep apnea, the result is sleep deprivation. Your body and brain are not getting the sleep that they need. Your “sleep balance” is basically in the red.
What about sleep and sexual health?
For men, studies have shown that there is a relationship between sleep – both the amount and quality – and testosterone levels. While ED is not always a result of testosterone levels alone, it does play a role in the ability to keep and maintain an erection due to a decrease in libido.
Testosterone levels in blood (plasma testosterone) are based on circadian cycles. Circadian cycles, or rhythms, are biological processes that recur naturally every 24 hours. Sleep cycles are based on circadian rhythms as well and thus, are related to other processes that occur within them. Studies have indicated that testosterone production is clearly related to sleep, specifically the first 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep.
Besides testosterone, lack of sleep also effects overall energy, mood and stress levels, which can all contribute to ED issues. Just as with weight issues, there is an interrelationship between sleep and ED that can become cyclical – lack of sleep contributing to ED, and ED contributing to lack of sleep, etc. While ED can be effectively treated with the medications that Riize Max Strips offer – Sildenafil, Tadalafil and Oxytocin combined – a comprehensive wellness approach also needs to be pursued, which includes getting adequate sleep.
For women, a lack of sleep can be a causal factor in diminished feelings of intimacy and closeness. Once again, this is often times related to a hormonal shift of imbalance, which can be a direct result of not giving the body and brain enough time to recharge, remove toxins and provide the proper baseline for feelings of confidence and satisfaction. Riize Pinks Strips use a unique formula of PT-141, a peptide amino acid, shown in studies to stimulate both passion and sexual energy.
"Get some sleep"
It’s an old saying; something passed along as both advice and remedy for situations, circumstances, issues and conditions too numerous to list. But, like a lot of sayings, it stuck around for a reason: It’s true. While there can be such a thing as too much sleep, it’s rare. These days, most people don’t get enough sleep, or good enough sleep. Short sleep duration is becoming a global problem in modern society. Whether you’re trying treat an erectile dysfunction issue, or an overall lack of sexual energy and satisfaction, you owe it to yourself to put the advantage of sleep in your corner.
SOURCES
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1029127 (reduced testosterone from lack of sleep)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3955336/ (drop in test cause sleep difficulty – cycle)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9621223/ (short sleep duration – non-apena – both consequence and cause of ed – ongoing studies)
https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/research-and-discoveries-articles/2022/february/getting-more-sleep-reduces-caloric-intake (sleep and obesity)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9031614/ (effects of sleep loss and deprivation on weight loss and weight management)
https://www.webmd.com/diet/sleep-and-weight-loss (sleep more, weigh less)
https://www.sleephealthjournal.org/article/S2352-7218(16)30044-4/fulltext (sleep to Greeks)
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2021/04/good-sleep-good-health (good sleep, good health)
https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-requirements (how much sleep needed)
https://www.bjc.org/news/too-much-sleep-here-are-some-surprising-facts-about-oversleeping (too much sleep)https://www.bjc.org/news/too-much-sleep-here-are-some-surprising-facts-about-oversleeping (too much sleep)
https://www.sleephealthsolutionsohio.com/blog/history-of-sleep-research/ (history of sleep)
https://fortuneonline.org/articles/effects-of-sleep-deprivation-on-brain-functional-network.html (graph)
https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/low-libido/how-lack-of-sleep-impacts-sex-life-libido-fertility (3 ways lack of sleep affects sex life)
