Sexsomnia: it’s more common than you think

The description is eye-opening, but even more shocking is how often sexsomnia occurs. New research suggests nearly eight percent of patients at sleep disorder clinics have Sexsomnia. The abstract (#252) will be displayed later this morning at SLEEP 2010.

The prevalence of sexsomnia for men, at 11 percent, was nearly three times higher in than for women.

The study is the first to examine the frequency of sexsomnia. The authors of the study stress the outcome only reflects patients at sleep clinics. They estimate the rate would be much lower among the general population.

Researchers reviewed a questionnaire filled out by 832 patients who were evaluated at sleep disorders clinics.

Only 4 patients complained of sexsomnia during a consultation with sleep specialists. However, 63 of the 832 reported the key symptoms of sexsomnia.

The parasomnia happens when a person unknowingly engages in sexual activity while asleep. According to the The International Classification of Sleep Disorder, Second Edition, published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine sexsomnia predominantly occurs during confusional arousals and sleepwalking episodes.

You can find the abstract in the SLEEP 2010 supplement, available for download as a pdf.