What Is Sexsomnia? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

There are treatment options available, and they center on what your healthcare provider determines to be the underlying cause. “The first step is to make sure you are talking to your doctor about all the symptoms you are experiencing,” Sullivan says. “The doctor can help to develop a course of action to understand triggers.”

If your doctor suspects there’s an underlying sleep disorder, they will likely suggest a recorded sleep study, according to 2021 research. From there, they can determine if there’s a medical issue that’s disrupting your sleep and causing sexsomnia. They can then focus your treatment plan there. For instance, diagnosing and treating underlying sleep apnea with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device could help minimize or completely end sexsomnia episodes, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Seeking a diagnosis and treatment is important as sexsomnia can be risky to those you live with since you’re not in control of your actions. “A doctor may encourage patients to take steps to ensure the safety of the patient and the patient’s partner while they work to find a resolution,” Sullivan says.

Lifestyle and Behavioral Changes That Can Help

Seeing as stress, substance abuse, and sleep deprivation can trigger sexsomnia, your provider may advise you to make lifestyle changes that make you feel calmer and better prepared to get a good night of sleep. “The doctor can help to create a treatment plan which can include simple lifestyle changes such as reducing stress, limiting alcohol consumption, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule,” Sullivan says.

You can also embrace lifestyle changes aimed at protecting your and your partner’s safety. For instance, you may decide to sleep in a separate room, lock doors, avoid triggers, and prioritize good sleep hygiene while you figure out a treatment option, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Medication Options

Your doctor may determine there’s a health issue interfering with your sleep and leading to sexsomnia episodes, and may prescribe a medication to treat it. For instance, if you have another parasomnia such as sleepwalking that’s increasing your risk of sexsomnia, your doctor may prescribe a benzodiazepine medication, according to previous research.

In addition to a CPAP device for sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) to treat depression or anxiety or medication to address heartburn or restless leg syndrome — if your doctor suspects those conditions are triggering your sexsomnia, per the Cleveland Clinic.

There aren’t large studies involving medication treatment for sexsomnia at this time, but there are smaller case studies documenting what has worked. One case study found the SSRI paroxetine worked to resolve sexsomnia for one patient. This patient experienced worsened sexsomnia symptoms when he drank alcohol, so he was treated with the SSRI rather than a benzodiazepine, which could have similar effects to alcohol.

Finally, sexsomnia that’s caused by seizures can be treated with the anticonvulsant medications carbamazepines, according to previous research.

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Counseling or therapy can also be helpful in dealing with sexsomnia, a case study published in 2021. This is recommended for the person experiencing sexsomnia, as dealing with the episodes can bring up all sorts of difficult emotions and situations.

It also may be helpful for anyone affected by sexsomnia, such as the person’s partner. This person may have concerns about safety or question the integrity of their relationship with their partner, and a therapist or counselor may be able to help work through those feelings or encourage communication between the two partners, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

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