The Relationship between Sleep Apnea and Erectile Dysfunction



Oftentimes, erectile dysfunction and other sexual performance problems have underlying contributing factors.At Boston Medical Group, our focus is to identify these problem areas and their potential influences on overall patient health. Many treatment changes such as diet, exercise, excessive smoking, and alcohol behavior may be recommended. But did you know that your quality of sleep may be a bigger impact on your sex life as well as cause your ED?









Does Sleep Apnea Cause ED?



If you have ED, it is highly likely that you may also suffer from sleep apnea. To understand this relationship, we must first learn what sleep apnea is and how it affects our bodies.



Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder in which sleep is interrupted because breathing is irregular. This could be either caused by blocked airways from relaxed throat muscles or a respiratory problem led by the nervous system. Those with sleep apnea wake up frequently in the night, often with a choke or gasp. A long list of symptoms may include loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, episodes or stopped breathing during sleep, dry mouth, sore throat, high blood pressure, nighttime sweating, mood changes, irritability, limited attention span, nocturia (waking up in the middle of the night to urinate), and most importantly, decreased libido.



There are 3 types of sleep apnea:







Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – physical blockage of the airway due to relaxed throat muscles.




Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) – the brain fails to transmit signals to your respiratory system, and is

unable to control your breathing.




Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome (CompSAS) – having both OSA and CSA




Testosterone is the key hormone responsible for the normal growth and development of male organs. It maintains other sexual characteristics such as libido. Men restore most of their testosterone levels during sleep, as oxygen is needed to produce testosterone. If one has irregular breathing because of sleep apnea, we can infer that their testosterone levels are negatively affected by the lack of oxygen supplied during sleep (oxygen deprivation). As testosterone levels decrease, so does men’s libido.



It is also important to note that with lack of sleep comes irritability, mood changes, and limited attention span, which could put strain on your day-to-day relationship with your partner. Loud snoring and nocturia are symptoms that would disturb your partner’s rest as well. You may both suffer from sleep deprivation, and increase the likelihood of sexual dysfunction. As you get less sleep, you experience poorer moods and mental health problems. The more exhausted you are, you become less cognizant of your partner’s needs.









What Causes Sleep Apnea?



Certain factors put you more at risk for sleep apnea:





excess weight


narrowed airway


high blood pressure (hypertension)


Chronic nasal congestion


smoking


diabetes


biological sex (males)


family history of sleep apnea


asthma




Can You Reverse the Effects of ED Caused by Sleep Apnea?



Because of how important sleep is to sexual health, it is possible that treatments for sleep apnea may also remedy ED. Those with sleep apnea may undergo treatments such as lifestyle changes, weight loss, reducing sedative use, and sleeping on one’s side. More advanced treatments may include Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure (Bi-PAP) mouthpieces, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP- the removal of the uvula, tonsils, adenoids, and parts of the soft palate), and mandibular advancement devices (MADs).









What Are Other Effects of Sleep Apnea?



Having sleep apnea can even cause an increased risk of having complications such as:





daytime fatigue


cardiovascular problems (Hypertension and heart problems)


Type 2 diabetes


Metabolic Syndrome


Complications w/ medicine and surgery


Eye problems


Liver problems


Sleep-deprived partners and disrupted relationships


Erectile dysfunction




Other ED Treatment Options



Here at Boston Medical Group, we have an array of non-invasive treatments available such as oral medication, Shockwave Therapy, PRP, Stem Cell ReGen, and Nasal Spray.



It is important to note that studies resulted in inconclusive diagnosis’. Although sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction share many common health complications, treating sleep apnea cannot

ensure the treatment of erectile dysfunction.



For more information about Boston Medical Group’s ED treatments, please read here:













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