Strange Penis Problems: Sleep Sex

The human body can do some really strange things. Some of those things are so strange, in fact, that most people have never heard of them. Take, for instance, sleep sex. When it comes to rare penis problems, this is definitely one of those at the top of the list. Men who are interested in their penis health and good penis care - both when awake and when asleep - should know about even the more obscure penis problems they might encounter.

So what is sleep sex?

It isn't unusual for a man to get a little frisky in his sleep. Most men are aware of nocturnal emissions, which happen often when a guy is younger and tend to decrease in frequency as he becomes older and better able to control his sensual urges. A man might even reach down and play a little bit during his sleep, especially if he's in the throes of an erotic dream.

But sleep sex is quite different. Men who suffer from sexsomnia, as it is often called, will engage in full masturbation sessions while they are asleep. Similar to sleepwalking, a man will often go through the motions he usually does for masturbation, including finding the lube in a drawer and using it, or even sitting or standing up to do the deed. As soon as he reaches release, he might lie right back down and continue sleeping, with no memory of the session when he wakes up.

Sometimes, a man will actually have sex with a partner while he is asleep. Though this is much rarer, it certainly does happen. If this happens, it's with the sex partner right there in bed with the person, or at least in the same home - however, there are some rare reports of men who have sex with people who are not their partner, and they are never aware of what they are doing. Obviously, this leads to some serious consequences.

How does sleep sex happen?

• Just like sleepwalking, sleep sex happens without any input from the person who is engaging in the activity. They are fully asleep, with no knowledge of what is happening and often no memory of it when they wake up.
• Scientists aren't entirely sure what causes it, but they have identified some triggers that make it more likely for someone to engage in sleep sex, or any sort of sleep activities, such as sleepwalking. Alcohol tends to be a triggering factor, as well as long-term sleep deprivation. However, the most common reason is sleep disruption: a person's sleep is interrupted, but not enough to wake them up fully. The result is a dream-like state where they aren't fully awake but aren't in a deep sleep, either.
• Fortunately, there are ways to combat sleep sex and other related issues. Since sleep apnea is one of the top reasons for sleep disruption, the use of a CPAP machine at night can help keep someone in bed and away from episodes of sleep sex. Some anti-anxiety drugs have also proven very helpful in keeping sleep sex at bay. And for some, cognitive behavioral therapy might have some effect.
• When a man is getting it on in his sleep, he might not pay attention to the best practices for penis care, such as using adequate lube for masturbation. That's why he can benefit from a superior penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). This crème should contain Shea butter and vitamin E, the better to soothe sore and overworked skin. It should also contain L-carnitine, which helps fight the signs of peripheral nerve damage that can lead a man to a loss of penis sensation, especially after a rough session of masturbation during a long night.