Does Sleep Apnea Cause Erectile Dysfunction by Reducing Testosterone and Impairing Circulation? Discover How It Affects Sexuality.
Sleep apnea involves small pauses in breathing, causing the person to wake up multiple times. Because sleep is crucial for testosterone production, sleep apnea can lead to erectile dysfunction. In today’s blog, we explain why.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea, or obstructive sleep apnea, is the interruption of breathing throughout the night. Those who have this disorder experience pauses in breathing that can last from 10 seconds up to a minute or more.
The reason sleep apnea occurs is the relaxation of the throat muscles. Although this relaxation is natural, in some people, it causes the tongue to move backward and shifts the jaw. These movements narrow the throat even more, blocking the airflow.
There are three types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea: partial or total blockage of the airways due to relaxed throat muscles or anatomical issues in the neck, nose, or jaw;
- Central sleep apnea: the brain does not send signals to the muscles that control breathing;
- Complex sleep apnea syndrome or mixed apnea: a combination of the two types.
What Are the Main Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Waking up at night during breathing interruptions is not the only symptom. Check out other signs of sleep apnea:
- Loud snoring;
- Dry mouth;
- Waking up several times at night to urinate;
- Excessive sweating;
- Reduced libido;
- Morning headaches;
- Sore throat;
- Daytime sleepiness;
- Difficulty concentrating and memory problems;
- Mood swings.
What Problems Can Sleep Apnea Cause?
Obstructive sleep apnea leads to health issues that affect your quality of life. Learn about them below:
1. Chronic Fatigue
People with sleep apnea wake up multiple times a night due to these pauses in breathing. This fragmented sleep leads to drowsiness and severe tiredness.
2. Difficulty Concentrating and Memory Problems
Poor sleep impacts your ability to concentrate and remember things, affecting work and studies.
3. Mood Changes
Irritability, anxiety, and depression are common in patients with sleep apnea, significantly impacting daily life.
4. Cardiovascular Problems
Obstructive sleep apnea causes hypoxia, a decrease in the oxygen levels in the blood. This activates the sympathetic nervous system, which regulates heart rate, breathing, and digestion. Once activated, the heart rate increases, and blood vessels narrow, impairing blood flow.
This situation raises blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation and also strains the heart. If untreated, the elevated blood pressure increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases like stroke.
5. Insulin Resistance
Sleep apnea episodes trigger the release of cortisol, a hormone that interferes with insulin function and, consequently, regulates blood sugar levels.
Moreover, disrupted sleep affects the balance between leptin, the “satiety hormone,” and ghrelin, the “hunger hormone.” In this imbalance, ghrelin levels may rise, and this is aggravated in cases of obesity, which is a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea.
Does Sleep Apnea Cause Erectile Dysfunction? What Is the Connection?
Yes, sleep apnea can lead to erectile dysfunction.
This article presents a review on the subject, showing 13 studies where the prevalence of erectile difficulties in men with sleep apnea ranges from 40.9% to 80%. The same article also highlights research in which hypertensive men with erectile problems had severe sleep apnea.
The connection between sleep and erectile dysfunction begins with the fact that testosterone is produced during sleep, requiring at least three hours of normal sleep, as explained in this article. Therefore, when sleep quality is compromised, hormone production can be affected. In cases of sleep apnea, evidence suggests that testosterone levels tend to drop, which may contribute to erectile difficulties.
Another factor is that sleep apnea reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood. With less oxygen, blood vessels become narrower, making it harder for blood to circulate. If blood flow is impaired, the penis cannot receive enough blood for an erection.
Reduced oxygen caused by sleep apnea leads to endothelial dysfunction, which is damage to the inner lining of the arteries. In this dysfunction, the arteries cannot dilate properly, making it difficult for blood to flow into the penis for an erection.
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
A specialist in Sleep Medicine diagnoses sleep apnea. This field includes otolaryngology, neurology, and pulmonology.
The first step is assessing your clinical history to check for risk factors such as obesity, smoking, alcoholism, and nasal congestion. Then, the doctor will request a polysomnography, a test that evaluates breathing, oxygen levels, eye movements, and brainwave patterns.
How to Address the Erectile Dysfunction Caused by Sleep Apnea?
Treating sleep apnea, combined with managing factors that affect erections, can help improve erectile dysfunction. See below:
- Use of CPAP: a type of oxygen mask that delivers air to the lungs, normalizing breathing;
- Lifestyle changes: since lifestyle and erectile dysfunction are linked, adopting a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol and cigarettes help reduce sleep apnea symptoms and contribute to sexual health;
- Hormone therapy: testosterone levels should be evaluated. If they are below normal, the patient can be referred to a urologist to begin replacement therapy.
Habits That May Help Fight Sleep Apnea and Improve Sexual Health
Healthy habits and strategies to enhance sleep can positively impact your sexual life. Check them out:
- For Sleep Apnea
- Maintain a healthy weight;
- Sleep on your side to keep your airways open;
- Avoid alcohol and sedatives before bedtime so they do not overly relax throat muscles;
- Keep a consistent sleep schedule—go to bed and wake up at the same times.
- For Sexual Health
- Engage in physical activity: it improves blood circulation and balances testosterone levels;
- Eat well: promotes testosterone production and better circulation;
- Do not smoke: smoking damages arteries and impairs blood flow;
- Manage stress: exercises like deep breathing, yoga, and meditation help reduce stress and consequently lower cortisol, a hormone that decreases testosterone.
When Should You See a Urologist?
It is important to consult a urologist whenever you experience problems that affect intimacy. Medical advice is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
If you have erectile dysfunction, contact a urologist to find out which treatment is best for you.
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