Loss of Sexual Function in Men: Could it be Sleep Apnea?

There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep to make a guy feel like a new man. It’s a well-known fact that getting plenty of sleep is a crucial factor in determining overall health - but an appropriate amount of sleep can have an impact on a man’s penis health as well. And if that’s the case, a man who has sleep apnea may have concerns about how it might affect his penis.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea has risen in the public consciousness in recent years due to many articles and stories about it. But those without sleep disturbances may not really know what it is.

Sleep apnea is "a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep." The length of time for these pauses can vary from a few seconds to a few minutes, and they occur multiple times during the night; at least five must occur within one hour to receive a diagnosis of sleep apnea. Typically sleep apnea is marked by periods of very loud snoring, and choking or snorting sounds may be common at the end of these pauses in breath.

There are three main types of sleep apnea:

- Obstructive sleep apnea (also called OSA) is the most common form and occurs when the throat muscles relax. If the passageway is narrow - as is often the case with people who are overweight, for example - it can cause a closure which prevents air from getting through.

- Central sleep apnea (or CSA) happens because something is keeping the brain from sending signals to the muscles that control breathing.

- Complex sleep apnea syndrome (or CSAS) is a situation in which a patient has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

There are many different symptoms associated with sleep apnea, including loud snoring, waking up abruptly, waking with a dry mouth, having a headache in the morning, attention problems, irritability and difficulty staying awake during the day.

The penis health connection

Sleep apnea is obviously a problem, but just how does it affect penis health? There are several ways in which it can have an impact.

- Decreased libido. It’s hard for a guy to feel frisky and be at the top of his sexual game when he’s having a hard time just staying awake. In addition, lack of sleep wreaks havoc with hormone production, causing testosterone levels to lower - and that in turn dampens the sex drive considerably.

- Erectile dysfunction. Sleep apnea also increases the risk that it will be harder to get and/or maintain a hard penis. One study of guys with sleep apnea indicated that 70% of the men involved also experienced erectile dysfunction. Part of the reason is lack of testosterone. But sleep disruption also affects the oxygen levels in the blood, and that makes it more difficult to achieve erectile goals.

- Relationship issues. Loud snoring can lead to partners sleeping in separate bedrooms, which can impact their level of intimacy. Apnea can also make a person more irritable, which can lead to disagreements which again affect intimacy.

If a man thinks he has sleep apnea, he should consult with a doctor and undergo a sleep apnea test. There are several approaches to treating sleep apnea, including lifestyle changes or the use of a CPAP machine. The latter option involves wearing a mask while sleeping. The mask raises air pressure to help keep the throat passage open.

The healthier the penis is, the harder it is for sleep apnea to affect it, so guys should keep an eye on penis health. Using a penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) can help. The best crème should include a range of vitamins, such as A, B5, C, D and E, which offer benefits through topical application directly to the penis. Ideally the crème should also include L-arginine, an amino acid that boosts nitric oxide so penile blood vessels can accept greater blood flow.

Sleep Apnea and Erectile Dysfunction: There May Be a Link

Few things are as of great a concern to a man as erectile dysfunction, and understandably so. Men take pride in the manner in which their penis operates and when there is a "kink" in the machinery, it can create anxiety. Clearly, erectile dysfunction is linked to the greater area of penis health, but it can also be related to more general health matters. In this regard, one area which has received more attention in recent years is the possibility of a link between sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction.

Sleep apnea
 
Most people have heard of sleep apnea, but not everyone really knows what it is. According to the Mayo Clinic, sleep apnea is defined as "a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts." Those with sleep apnea tend to snore very loudly and they often awake from a night’s sleep feeling unrested.

There are three types of sleep apnea:

- Obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by the manner in which the throat muscles relax or tighten;

- Central sleep apnea, which means the brain isn’t properly sending messages to the muscles to regulate the breathing; and

- Complex sleep apnea syndrome, which is a combination of the other two forms of sleep apnea.
In addition to loud snoring and feeling unrested, a person with sleep apnea may experience periods of wakefulness during the night, insomnia, dry mouth, irritability, attention issues, sleepiness or morning headaches.

The erectile dysfunction connection
 
So sleep apnea is unpleasant, but what might it have to do with erectile dysfunction? Well, there definitely seems to be a connection - many men with sleep apnea also report issues with obtaining or maintaining an erection.

Although studies are ongoing to provide a definitive answer, there seem to be two ways in which sleep apnea may contribute to poor erectile function.

- Testosterone production. Studies (both in animals and humans) have found when male subjects are placed in a situation in which they receive an inadequate amount of sleep, their testosterone levels are negatively affected. Since chronic sleep apnea impacts a man’s sound sleep, this may result in lowered testosterone - which in turn has an impact on libido and erectile function.

- Nitric oxide production. In addition, some studies have shown that men with sleep apnea produce less nitric oxide, which is valuable for increasing blood flow to the penis. When that blood flow is impeded, erections are more difficult to achieve and maintain.

Treatment
 
Men who think they have sleep apnea (whether it is affecting their erectile function or not) should consult with a doctor. Treatment often involves using what is called a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, which is used at night to keep a continuous flow of air going into the body. But sometimes there are other options that can be equally effective, such as losing weight or stopping smoking.

Erectile dysfunction from sleep apnea (or other causes) may require specific strategies for treatment, but regardless of the course chosen, it pays to keep the penis in good general health. Daily use of a first class penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) is always a plus. It may interest men to know that some cremes contain L-arginine, an amino acid that is very helpful in creating nitric oxide. As mentioned above, nitric oxide plays a role in keeping blood flowing to the penis in an appropriate manner. Try to make sure that the crème also contains vitamin C, which is a key component of collagen, a tissue in the body that gives skin its tone and elasticity and is vital for penile erections.