Sexsomnia: the Causes of Sleep Sex

Sexsomnia or Sleep Sex is sexual behavior that occurs during sleep. It appears to occur predominantly among males, but there are reported cases of women who initiate the sexual behavior while sleeping. The condition can range in severity from disruptive moaning to unwanted, sometimes violent sexual advances. Those who experience sleep sex usually do not remember what happened. Sexual behaviors that can occur during sleep include sexual vocalizations, masturbation, fondling another person, intercourse and even sexual assault.

The exact cause of Sexsomnia is unknown, but is possibly caused by abnormalities in the brain's arousal mechanisms and is believed to be a variant of sleepwalking. Sexsomnia could also be caused by other sleep disorders that are combined with emotional problems. Those who suffer from Sexsomnia may also suffer from other sleep disorders such as sleepwalking, REM behavior disorders, apnea, bed wetting, seizure disorders and night terrors. Some may also have substance abuse problems and other psychological issues such as undefined emotional problems.

There are at least 11 different sex-related sleep disorders and they are easily treated with medication. If Sexsomnia is not treated there can be very negative consequences such as the person suffering from the disorder may actually rape their spouse or someone else.