Penis Health and Insomnia: How Lack of Sleep Affects Sexual Function

No one likes to have one of those nights where they just can’t sleep, tossing and turning and dreading looking at the clock to see how long they’ve been awake. Insomnia, especially chronic insomnia, is simply bad for your health, and that includes penile health, too. Finding ways to combat chronic insomnia is important to keeping a man healthy and strong.

The penis connection

Sleep is vital for the entire body, but sleep disorders can also lead to erectile dysfunction and urinary problems. When a man gets too little sleep, he is often simply too tired to have sex; when that insomnia is chronic, that can lead to a decrease in sexual desire. But there’s also a sleep-related chemical reason for this problem: less sleep means less testosterone, which in turn can lead to decreased erectile function and decreased libido. One study found that men who slept 8 hours had twice as much testosterone as men who slept four hours.

And of course, chronic sleep problems can contribute to other health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and decreased cognitive functioning.

insomnia

There can be numerous reasons why a person can’t sleep, ranging from worry and anxiety to asthma, chronic pain, and medication reactions. Finding out what keeps a person awake is key to discovering how to alleviate their insomnia. If a guy has insomnia and doesn’t know why, he should see a doctor to try to identify the cause(s) and develop a plan to combat the problem.

Sometimes the fix can be easy: If a certain drug causes wakefulness, finding a better alternative can fix the problem. Often, however, fighting insomnia involves making a few lifestyle changes, some of which are common sense.

tips

The following tips may help some men find an easier way to fall asleep.

– Avoid caffeine. Caffeine causes wakefulness, so it may be helpful to limit your caffeine intake during the day, and definitely avoid caffeine in the last few hours before bed. And if part of your sleep problem is waking up to urinate, avoid drinking anything in the last few hours before bed.

– Incorporate relaxation time. A guy should plan a half hour (or more) of relaxation time right before bed, during which the goal is simply to relax. Reading a book often helps, as does listening to relaxing music, drawing or coloring, or just meditating. However, avoid electronic devices, as screen glare can contribute to sleep difficulties. Many men find that masturbating before bed helps them sleep; however, try to rely on personal fantasies instead of online porn, again, because of the screen glare issue.

– Exercise. Having a regular exercise routine helps make the body more inclined to sleep. This doesn’t have to mean working out at the gym every day; Regular walks around the neighborhood or gentle yoga exercises can also work.

– Don’t fight it. If sleep doesn’t come after 20 minutes or so, don’t lie awake worrying. Usually, it’s best to get up and do a relaxing activity (reading, music, etc.) for a while, then try to go back to sleep.

– Get on a schedule. Going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time helps regulate the clock, so don’t sleep in until noon on Saturdays or stay up until 4:00 am on Fridays.

And of course, see a doctor if simple tips like these don’t help you sleep.

Insomnia is not the only thing that affects penis health, which is why men should regularly apply an exceptional penis health cream. (Health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven to be gentle and safe on the skin.). The best cream includes alpha lipoic acid, a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals that can make the skin on your penis look prematurely aged. The chosen cream should also include L-arginine, an amino acid that increases nitric oxide production and thus helps make the blood vessels in the penis more receptive to increased blood volume.