'Sexsomnia', uncontrollable orgasms and fearing your genitals will kill you: TRACEY COX explores rare but very real sex disorders
'Sexsomnia', uncontrollable orgasms and fearing your genitals will kill you: TRACEY COX explores rare but very real sex disorders
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Imagine having a condition where you perform sexual acts during your sleep - that you have no control over and aren't aware you're doing – with very little memory of it afterwards. Welcome to the world of people with sexsomnia: a condition that causes both embarrassment and distress for sufferers and their partners. (Not to mention a whole other world of serious issues surrounding consent.).
![[Thought you had sex problems? Think again! These rare but real sex disorders make our usual grumbles pale in comparison, says Tracey Cox]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/28/21/94612985-14335419-image-a-99_1738101264145.jpg)
'You sure this is real and not just a great excuse to have sex with someone without being blamed?' is a typical response to any discussion about sexsomnia. I have a friend who suffers from it and have spoken at length with him and his partner. Let's just say, it's not something they share readily with strangers.
Most people are suspicious of the condition - and no-one's arguing the possibility for exploitation. A medical diagnosis of sexsomnia has been used as a criminal defence in court for alleged sexual assault and rape cases. Albeit rarely. But studies prove the condition does exist, and it might be more prevalent than statistics suggest because people are too scared or embarrassed to admit to it.
It's not common, which means research is limited, but the condition appears to be linked to disruptions in the brains sleep-wake cycle. It's known that some things make it worse – stress, sleep deprivation, alcohol and sleep apnoea are all culprits.
Sexsomnia is a condition where you perform sexual acts during your sleep. Treatment includes managing all these factors, (usually much needed) therapy for the couple to manage the emotional impact and in some cases sedatives or anti-depressants to help regulate sleeping patterns.
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