An orgasm during sleep, also known as a sleep orgasm, while mostly a healthy and natural physiological reaction, can sometimes cause concern. This is especially true since the symptoms of an orgasm during sleep can vary significantly and do not necessarily indicate a pathological origin.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- What Is a Sleep Orgasm?
- Neurophysiological Causes of Orgasm During Sleep
- Hormonal Causes of Sleep Orgasm
- Medical Aspects of Orgasms During Sleep
- The Significance of Nocturnal Emissions
- Female Orgasm During Sleep
- Male Orgasm During Sleep
- When Do Sleep Orgasms Become Troublesome?
- References
An orgasm during sleep occurs in over 40% of women and almost 80% of men. It is a natural physiological process that, when occurring too frequently, can be a symptom of more serious disorders. Furthermore, persistent nocturnal emissions can impact other areas of life and health—mental, emotional, and sexual—and may trigger stress and anxiety.
What Is a Sleep Orgasm?
An orgasm during sleep (also known as a nocturnal emission or colloquially as a "wet dream") is a physiological phenomenon in which a spontaneous ejaculation occurs in men or an orgasm in women during sleep, without any conscious sexual stimulus. This situation is a part of normal functioning, occurring during the REM phase of sleep (Rapid Eye Movement), during which vivid dreams are most common. It does not necessarily (although it can) indicate a disorder (Courtois, Dubray, 2014). The frequent occurrence of nocturnal emissions can significantly impact the patient's quality of life, both physically and psychosocially (Yancar Demi, 2014 as cited in Ozcan, Tasın, Tandogan, Ozaksit, 2012).
It is worth noting that in cases of excessive frequency of this phenomenon, consulting a specialist is advisable. Appropriate treatment, preceded by identifying the specific cause through detailed clinical and polysomnographic diagnostics, usually yields the desired effect. Medical procedures and therapies that regulate sleep are often used in such cases (Yancar Demi, 2014 as cited in Schenck, Arnulf, Mahowald, 2007).
Orgasm During Sleep – Neurophysiological Causes
As we have already established, the key phase related to the occurrence of sleep orgasms is the REM phase, during which brain activity is high. This leads to intense dreams, which can sometimes have an erotic nature. There is an increased activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which may result in erections in men and increased blood flow to the genital organs in women. The result can be a spontaneous ejaculation or orgasm (Heller & Laumann, 2012).
The REM phase is also associated with increased activity of the limbic system, which is responsible for emotions and sexual responses (Nielsen, 2000).
Hormonal Causes of Orgasm During Sleep
One of the key hormones involved in the occurrence of sleep orgasms is testosterone. Testosterone levels in men rise during the night and peak in the early morning hours (Dorsey, de Lecea, and Jennings, 2020). Studies clearly indicate that high levels of testosterone are strongly associated with the frequency of spontaneous nocturnal erections, which can lead to orgasm (Andersen & Tufik, 2008).
In women, changes in estrogen and progesterone levels can determine the occurrence of erotic dreams and orgasms. Estrogen is responsible for increasing blood flow to the genital organs and sensitivity to stimulation. Progesterone, on the other hand, has a calming effect, which can modify dreams and dream content (Dorsey, de Lecea, and Jennings, 2020).
Non-sex hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin, also play an important role in regulating sleep and sexual activity. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with the reward system, which can enhance desire and sexual activity during sleep. Serotonin, in turn, affects the sleep-wake cycle and can modulate the intensity of dreams (Dorsey, de Lecea, and Jennings, 2020).
Causes of Orgasm During Sleep – Medical Aspects
According to the (still) current International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), an orgasm during sleep, even if too frequent, is not directly classified as a separate disorder.
However, it is important to note that in justified cases, orgasms during sleep can be a symptom of serious sleep disorders, such as parasomnias (e.g., night terror syndrome) or other REM sleep disorders, where intense arousal and unusual behaviors occur during sleep (American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2014).
Interestingly, nocturnal emission is one of the symptoms of orgasmic disorders in men, but only if it does not occur in any other situation (besides during sleep) (ICD-10).
The Significance of Nocturnal Emissions
Orgasms during sleep are primarily considered a natural part of sexual development and reproductive health. Particularly in men, nocturnal emissions (the ejaculation of semen as a result of reaching orgasm) can help maintain prostate health, as they facilitate the regular cleansing of the seminal ducts (Heller & Laumann, 2012). In both sexes, these phenomena can serve as a natural release of sexual tension and help maintain healthy sexual functioning.
Female Orgasm During Sleep
Orgasms during sleep in women are relatively rare (especially in comparison to men) and are almost always associated with erotic dreams.
One of the largest studies conducted to date showed that at least 42.7% of adult women have experienced an orgasm during sleep. Furthermore, in the group that reported experiencing sleep orgasms, the perception and self-esteem of their own genitalia (Female Genital Self-Esteem) were higher than in women who had not had such experiences. Most participants viewed their experiences as positive, although many women admitted to a negative perception of their first orgasm occurring during sleep (Lyndsay, 2020). Based on these data, it can be concluded that the experience of climaxing during sleep in women may be associated with positive feelings and effects.
Male Orgasm During Sleep
Orgasm during sleep in men is often associated with an erection and ejaculation of semen, commonly known as a nocturnal emission. Erection usually occurs during the REM phase of sleep and is a normal phenomenon that can lead to ejaculation. Men may wake up feeling sexually satisfied or confused if they are not aware of the nature of this occurrence (Heller & Laumann, 2012).
Studies show that nocturnal emissions are a completely common phenomenon among men. It turns out that about 83% of men experience an orgasm during sleep at least once in their lifetime (Kinsey, 1948)
When Do Orgasms During Sleep Become Troublesome?
Orgasms during sleep can become troublesome when they occur excessively or are associated with unpleasant symptoms. If nighttime orgasms happen very frequently, they can lead to sleep problems and feelings of chronic fatigue (Nowak, 2018). Additionally, in some cases, they may cause anxiety, shame, or lowered self-esteem (Zieliński, 2017). This can affect daily functioning and become a source of stress or a lowered mood. As a result, it may lead to problems in the sexual, relational, or emotional spheres. In such cases, consulting a specialist is advisable.
Co poradzić na częste emisje senne?
If orgasms during sleep become problematic or occur too frequently, it is advisable to consult a specialist. This could be a general practitioner, sexologist, or psychologist—ideally, a psychologist specializing in sexology. Visiting a sexologist is also highly recommended. A specialist will help identify the causes of the problem and propose appropriate treatment methods or techniques to manage the symptoms.
Depending on the cause and symptoms related to the excessive occurrence of the phenomenon, the doctor may recommend specific medications aimed at reducing the frequency of nocturnal emissions. These could be hormonal treatments or other agents that affect the nervous system (Kamińska, 2020).
Additionally, a specialist such as a sexologist, psychologist, or psychotherapist may suggest behavioral techniques to help reduce the frequency of climaxing during sleep. These might include relaxation techniques, changing sleep-related habits, or stimulus control techniques (Nowak, 2018).
Often, it is also possible to try to alleviate sleep orgasms on your own. If they are the result of stress or poor sleep quality, regular physical activity can be beneficial (Świątkowska, 2017). Stress reduction through meditation, Lomi Lomi massage, yoga, tantra massage, or other relaxation techniques may also be helpful.
It is also important to maintain a proper diet and sleep hygiene, as well as limit stimuli that may increase the frequency of occurrences right before sleep. This could include, for example, frequent viewing of pornographic films.
References:
American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (2014). The International Classification of Sleep Disorders – Third Edition (ICSD-3). Darien, IL: American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Andersen, M. L., & Tufik, S. (2008). The effects of testosterone on sleep and sleep-disordered breathing in men: Its bidirectional interaction with erectile function. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 12(5), 365–379.
Courtois, F., & Dubray, S. (2014). The Neurophysiology of Orgasm. Current Sexual Health Reports, 6, 201–210.
Dorsey, A., de Lecea, L., & Jennings, K. J. (2020). Neurobiological and hormonal mechanisms regulating women’s sleep. Frontiers in Neuroscience.
Heller, M. A., & Laumann, E. O. (2012). The physiology of sexual function. In E. O. Laumann & R. T. Michael (Eds.), Sex, Love, and Health in America: Private Choices and Public Policies (pp. 61–76). University of Chicago Press.
ICD-10. (1997). Klasyfikacja zaburzeń psychicznych i zaburzeń zachowania w ICD-10 [Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders in ICD-10]. Kraków-Warszawa: Uniwersyteckie Wydawnictwo Medyczne „Vesalius,” Instytut Psychiatrii i Neurologii.
Kamińska, A. (2020). Hormonalne i neurologiczne przyczyny zaburzeń snu [Hormonal and Neurological Causes of Sleep Disorders]. Kraków: Wydawnictwo Uniwersyteckie.
Kinsey, A. C. (1948). Sexual Behavior in the Human Male. Indiana University Press.
Lyndsay, M. (2020). Things That Go Bump in the Night: Prevalence, Genital Self-Image, and Experiences of Women Who Orgasm During Sleep [Doctoral dissertation, ProQuest LLC].
Nielsen, T. A. (2000). A review of mentation in REM and NREM sleep: “Covert” REM sleep as a possible reconciliation of two opposing models. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 23(6), 851–866.
Nowak, P. (2018). Problemy ze snem: Diagnostyka i leczenie [Sleep Problems: Diagnosis and Treatment]. Gdańsk: Wydawnictwo Medyczne.
Ozcan, H., Tasin, C., Tandogan, M., & Ozaksit, G. (2012). Two women having orgasm during sleep. Düşünen Adam: The Journal of Psychiatry and Neurological Sciences, 25(3), 187–188.
Schenck, C. H., Arnulf, I., & Mahowald, M. W. (2007). Sleep and sex: What can go wrong? A review of the literature on sleep-related disorders and abnormal sexual behaviors and experiences. Sleep, 30(6), 683–702.
Świątkowska, K. (2017). Zaburzenia seksualne w różnych fazach snu [Sexual Disorders in Different Sleep Phases]. Wrocław: Wydawnictwo Naukowe.
Yancar Demi, E. (2014). Postmenopausal patient having orgasms while sleeping. The Journal of Psychiatry and Neurological Sciences, 27(3), 270–271.
Zieliński, R. (2017). Psychologiczne aspekty zdrowia seksualnego [Psychological Aspects of Sexual Health]. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Psychologiczne.
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