Sexual Behaviors and Sexual Health of Sexsomnia Individuals Aged 18–58

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to address the relationships between demographics and sexsomnia episodes, and sexual health issues in affected individuals. This study is the first sexsomnia survey conducted in Turkey. Sexsomnia comprises involuntary, unconscious sexual behavior during sleep, observed by a bed partner. Method:To reach people with and without sexsomnia, an online survey method was used. Among 274 participants, 42 of them reported having sexsomnia. Results: Women who do not have sexsomnia have more sexual problems than women who have sexsomnia episodes. The sexsomnia experiences of men and women also differed. Additionally, there were gender differences with difficulties caused by the sexsomnia. Conclusions: There is a need for further studies on sexsomnia that address socio-cultural, gender, and biological factors (including sleep disorders).

Keywords:

• Sexsomnia
• parasomnia
• sexual problems
• sleep sex
• sexual behavior during sleep
• online survey

Acknowledgments

We gratefully thank Irmak Aslan & Gizem Onaral for their help with the preparation of the questionnaire, and with the dissemination of the online questionnaire.

Disclosure statement

Carlos H. Schenck, M.D. is a Consultant for Axovant Sciences (not relevant to this report).