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Sleep and Libido: Can Sleep Deprivation Affect Sexual Health?

Couple looking unhappy in bed together

Let’s talk about sleep, baby; let’s talk about you and me. Let’s talk about how sleep and libido go together healthily. 

Now that we have your attention, you can probably guess what today’s topic entails. That’s right, we’re going to be talking about sex and sleep. 

As mattress experts, we know better than most how quality sleep can positively impact every aspect of our lives. There are many benefits of sleep, but its effects on your romantic relationships are often glossed over. Sleep affects your mood, decision-making, and how you’re able to show up for your partner — and that includes physical intimacy.  

If you’re searching for the perfect bed for you and your partner, Texas Mattress Makers can give you the best mattress in Houston for the best price. A good mattress can help you sleep soundly, and sleeping soundly can have a pretty big impact on your sex life. Here are a few ways in which sleep and libido affect one another.

KEY  TAKEAWAYS:

  • Sleep deprivation can negatively impact your libido.
  • Sex and sleep are important parts of our overall health and complement one another.
  • Quality sleep is a great way to improve libido.
  • Find a mattress that both you and your partner love.
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Does sleep affect your libido?

Yes, it does! The relationship between lack of sleep and sex drive is a scientific one, as both sex and sleep deal with our bodies and our brains. Libido, the fancy term for sexual desire, can look different for each person, and there is no “right amount” to have. We’re here to explain how sleep and libido affect one another so you can be better educated on how quality sleep impacts your relationships.

Physical effects

“Not tonight, I’m too tired” is a statement we have all heard or said in a relationship. If you’re not getting adequate sleep, you will have no energy to carry you through the day. When we’re exhausted, the last thing we want to do is engage in extra activity. So, how does sleep deprivation affect sex?

Sleep helps regulate all of the body’s sex hormones, including sex hormones — testosterone for men and estrogen for women — to ensure they stay balanced. Fatigue, especially in the form of chronic sleep deprivation, can lower the body’s estrogen and testosterone levels, decreasing your desire for sex overall. Some people naturally have a lower libido, but if you find that fatigue is getting in the way of your quality time, poor sleep quality is likely the culprit.

Mental effects

Intimacy is so much more than just a physical act; it’s a mental process as well. Because sleep and mental health heavily impact one another, if you’re exhausted or not in the right headspace, your desire to have sex will decrease. 

Feeling in the mood for sex depends on your brain’s ability to release and manage the proper hormones and chemicals that occur during sleep. Dopamine, the chemical that regulates mood, and oxytocin, the hormone that manages our reproductive systems, are necessary for libido. If you’re not sleeping well, your brain can’t keep these in balance, and your interest in sex can plummet. 

Stress also heavily affects both sex and sleep, as increased cortisol levels make it difficult to relax and fall asleep. When you’re stressed, exhausted, and despondent, your sleep quality and your sex life will take a huge hit.

Does having sex help you sleep better?

Studies have shown that sex promotes healthy sleep outcomes. The sleep benefits come both from the physical activity itself and from the emotional aspects of intimacy, such as feeling close to and experiencing affection from a partner. Here’s why:

  • Your brain releases all of the good hormones: Hormones that make you happy and help you to relax are released during and after sex, making it easier for you to fall and stay asleep. Some people say that sex is better than sleeping pills.
  • You feel closer to your partner: Does sleeping next to someone create a bond? Absolutely. Sleeping in the same bed as a partner can promote feelings of connection and safety while reducing stress, which in turn can help you sleep.

Unfortunately, many couples who share a bed are not getting enough quality sleep — with or without sex. If your partner has different preferences and sleep habits, or your mattress is low-quality, you may be on the brink of a sleep divorce, which can have negative impacts on your rest and relationship.

So, how can couples get a better night’s sleep? With a new mattress from Texas Mattress Makers. 

Get a Mattress You and Your Partner Will Love

For all of you lovers out there who feel like something is missing in your love life, take a minute to reflect on how well you and your partner are sleeping at night. Because sleep and libido affect one another, it’s important to prioritize quality sleep — and the best way to ensure that you’re getting great sleep is to invest in the right mattress.

What is the best kind of mattress for couples? What happens if my partner and I have different needs? What is a split king mattress? These are all common questions that we hear from our customers in a couple. 

Rest assured that Texas Mattress Makers has the solution to any sleep-related problem you and your loved one might face. Say goodbye to fatigue, stress, and aches and pains. Ready to get the best sleep of your life and improve your relationship? Visit any of our mattress stores in Houston to view our top-quality mattresses for amazing prices.

We can guarantee you’ll fall in love with your new bed.

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