Sex and Sleep: Perceptions of Sex as a Sleep Promoting Behavior in the General Adult Population

Abstract

Objective: The main aim of this study was to explore the perceived relationship between sexual activities, sleep quality, and sleep latency in the general adult population and identify whether any gender differences exist. Participants/methods: We used a cross-sectional survey to examine the perceived relationship between sexual activity and subsequent sleep in the general adult population. Seven-hundred and seventy-eight participants (442 females, 336 males; mean age 34.5 ± 11.4 years) volunteered to complete an online anonymous survey at their convenience. Statistical Analyses: Chi square analyses were conducted to examine if there were any gender differences between sexual activities [i.e., masturbation (self-stimulation), sex with a partner without orgasm, and sex with a partner with orgasm] and self-reported sleep. Results: There were no gender differences in sleep (quality and onset) between males and females when reporting sex with a partner [ = 2.20, p = 0.332; 5.73, p = 0.057] or masturbation (self-stimulation) [ = 1.34, p = 0.513; = 0.89, p = 0.640] involved an orgasm. Conclusions: Orgasms with a partner were associated with the perception of favorable sleep outcomes, however, orgasms achieved through masturbation (self-stimulation) were associated with the perception of better sleep quality and latency. These findings indicate that the public perceive sexual activity with orgasm precedes improved sleep outcomes. Promoting safe sexual activity before bed may offer a novel behavioral strategy for promoting sleep.

A national survey on how sexual activity is perceived to be associated with sleep

“…Generally, sexual activity with orgasm was perceived to shorten sleep latency as well as improve sleep quality in The effect of sexual activity on sleep 7 both men and women. This is in line with previous notions that orgasm has soporific effects [6,7,9], and supports as such our first hypothesis stating that orgasms following sexual activity generally will be perceived to have a soporific effect, albeit larger for men than for women. The exact mechanism behind the soporific effect of orgasms is not clear, but it may be attributable to the release of neurohormones such as oxytocin, prolactin, and endorphins that are assumed to have relaxing properties [16][17][18].…”

“…The effect seemed to be larger for men than for women, especially concerning orgasm following sexual activity with another person. The positive perceived effect on sleep of sex with an orgasm was also reported by the only previous survey on this topic, but in the previous survey no gender differences were found [9]. The gender difference regarding the perceived soporific effect of masturbation with orgasms was however not significant, a finding in line with the aforementioned survey [9].…”

“…The response alternatives ranged from −2 (denoting a strong perceived negative effect on sleep), via 0 (indicating no perceived effects on sleep) to +2 (suggesting a perceived strong positive effect on sleep). The sleep outcomes (sleep onset latency and sleep quality) are similar to those used in a previous study [9]. The response alternatives were also similar [9], although the previous study had three response alternatives (improved, the same, worsened) whereas a 5-point Likert scale was used in the present study.…”

“…The sleep outcomes (sleep onset latency and sleep quality) are similar to those used in a previous study [9]. The response alternatives were also similar [9], although the previous study had three response alternatives (improved, the same, worsened) whereas a 5-point Likert scale was used in the present study.…”

“…However, when the questions concerned sleep onset latency and sleep quality after having reached orgasm with a partner or through masturbation, no gender differences emerged [9]. Still, a widespread and popular belief is that there is a soporific effect of sexual behavior, and that this is more prominent in males compared to females.…”