How Sex Improves Your Sleep

For women entering menopause, sleep can be a constant challenge and sex is the perfect solution. How sex improves your sleep can be explained chemically: Sex increases estrogen release in women, which has a positive impact on REM sleep. Sex is a natural way to decrease stress and can help with the onset and quality of sleep.

“If you’re up at night tossing and turning, mind racing and you’re just about to panic wondering how you will ever get to sleep in time to wake up refreshed choose the oldest tranquilizer in the world–sex,” says Mache Seibel, MD, Editor of My Menopause Magazine and Professor at University of Massachusetts Medical School. “The more sex you have the more sleep you’ll get. Sleep comes naturally when both body and mind are relaxed and free of stress. Once you’re rested and focusing on the pleasure of the moment, you’ll be hard pressed to keep thinking about all those random thoughts that were keeping your brain too active to fall asleep.”

During sexual activity, the oxytocin released with hugging, stimulation and orgasm can increase feelings of calm and safety and cortisol levels drop; both are prerequisites for optimizing sleep. During orgasm, there is also an increased release of prolactin, which gives a heavy somnolence, helping you fall asleep faster and more efficiently.

Self-pleasure or couples sex and satisfaction increases overall health, vitality, joy and creativity, igniting the brain and body together and enhancing self-esteem.

Here are SOS tips that can help:

1. Take a calm, warm bath and begin with a comforting massage. Inttimo® By Wet™ Aromatherapy Bath & Massage Oil will leave your skin feeling soft, moisturized and sexy.
2. Light an aromatherapy candle, slip on sexy lingerie and turn on romantic music.
3. Avoid alcohol and large meals late in the evening.
4. Many women avoid sex because it hurts. If she is experiencing vaginal dryness, a common symptom of menopause, try Wet® Platinum® Premium Lubricant, a long lasting premium silicone-based lubricant that is guaranteed to never be sticky, and can be used just prior to intercourse to ease penetration and reduce the chances of abrasion. The slippery feeling is erotic and supplements the body’s natural lubrication.
5. Strong pelvic floor muscles can improve sexual desire and achievement of a better orgasm
6. Instead of being too tired for sex, have sex to get tired

“Good sex can be a wonderful springboard into good sleep,” adds Seibel. “Whenever possible, send out an SOS…Stress, Orgasm, Sleep. That’s my prescription for a good night’s sleep.”

# # #

Mache Seibel, MD is the Editor of My Menopause Magazine in the Apple Newsstand and on Google Play and recipient of the Media Award from the North American Menopause Society. Find more information with his free eBook, Changes During the Change: What to expect and what to do about it.