In men
Male loss of libido in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is mainly due to a common problem called erectile dysfunction. If you have erectile dysfunction you find difficulty in getting or maintaining an erection, which makes sexual activity difficult or impossible.
Erectile dysfunction and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
The male hormone, testosterone, is required for healthy erections. When there is not enough testosterone in your body, you may develop erectile dysfunction.
Sleep apnoea does not appear to directly affect testosterone, but it is linked to a number of conditions that can reduce your testosterone level:
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome.
Sleep apnoea can also cause you to have an overly active fight-or-flight response. This can lead to chronic stress, which inhibits erections. Other problems associated with sleep apnoea, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, have also been shown to reduce the male libido.
In women
There has been less research into loss of libido in women with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, although it does seem to be a widespread problem. Women may experience:
- Reduced desire
- Reduced sexual satisfaction
- Reduced orgasm rate
- Reduced vaginal lubrication.
Female loss of libido and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
The exact cause of loss of libido in women with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea remains unknown. There have been various suggestions:
- Alterations in female sex hormones due to sleep disruption
- Obesity
- Increased release of stress hormones during apnoeas that can lead to exhaustion
- Depression
- Increased use of antidepressants and other medications that affect libido.
