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The Relationship Between Sleep and Sexual Function in Women

  • Female Sexual Dysfunction and Disorders (A Stanton, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Sleep and sexual problems in women are common. They often co-exist and may negatively impact women’s quality of life. The aim of this review is to present the current evidence on the associations of sleep and sexual problems in women.

Recent Findings

Despite the heterogeneity in the aims and methodologies, most of the research has supported an association between sleep disturbances and sexual problems in women. Some studies specifically demonstrated an association between obstructive sleep apnea and worse sexual function in women. Poor sleep quality was associated with worse sexual arousal and orgasm in women, as well as more sexual dissatisfaction and sexual distress. Furthermore, the treatment of sleep apnea and good sleep quality were linked with better sexual function in women. It is possible that other psychosocial or biological factors that impact both sleep and sexual function may be mediating the relationship between these outcomes.

Summary

The collective evidence presented supports an association between sleep and sexual problems in women. Specifically, both obstructive sleep apnea and poor sleep quality are associated with risk for sexual problems in women. Thus, clinicians should be aware of these associations and consider screening for sexual dysfunction in women with these sleep issues. Additional research utilizing tools that assess distress as part of the determination of sexual dysfunction and are followed longitudinally may provide further insights into the relationships identified.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Lisa Marks at Mayo Clinic Library for her significant contribution in conducting this literature search.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Women’s Health Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 13737 North 92nd Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85260, USA

    Mina Al-Badri & Juliana M. Kling

  2. Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Ekta Kapoor

  3. Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Ekta Kapoor

  4. Mayo Clinic Center for Women’s Health, Rochester, MN, USA

    Ekta Kapoor, Stephanie S. Faubion & Juliana M. Kling

  5. Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA

    Stephanie S. Faubion

Authors
  1. Mina Al-Badri
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  4. Juliana M. Kling
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Juliana M. Kling.

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Competing Interests

Dr. Kling has consulted in the past for Proctor and Gamble and Triangle Insights Group. Dr. Kapoor reports personal fees from Astellas Pharmaceuticals, grants and personal fees from Mithra Pharmaceuticals, personal fees from Womaness, outside the submitted work. Otherwise, no other conflicts of interest exist to be reported.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Al-Badri, M., Kapoor, E., Faubion, S.S. et al. The Relationship Between Sleep and Sexual Function in Women. Curr Sex Health Rep 14, 231–238 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-022-00347-6

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