Sleep Sex: What is It?

Sleep sex also referred to as "sexomina" is a disorder where sexual actions are started and occurring while a person is a sleep or in the companionship of a partner.

Researches conceive this condition comes from malfunctions in our brain waves during sleep. Researchers are hoping that by bringing attention to this disorder, the health-care community will recognize this as a medical problem not psychological. Some experts believe that sleep sex is a alternative of sleep walking. It can be diagnosed and treated. More medical research does need to be done in this area on the view of distinguishing from current sleep disorders ie sleep walking.

Sleep sex can include such behaviors as:

touching your companion in a sexual manner
moaning and talking sexually
self masturbation without achieving orgasm
performing oral sex
sexual intercourse with or without orgasms

The cause of sleep sex?

The cause of this condition is still being examined. It has been found that it especially occurs among males. Many person's who engage in sleep sex also have other sleep disorders. There is just not one type of sleep sex or cause for this condition.

Is there a connection between sleep sex and sexual assault?

Some of the earlier cases of sleep sex had caused court cases where persons where arrested for sexual assault. The individuals claimed they were sleeping and had no memory of the event.

Several case studies of sleep sex contained information of charges being laid. In another case the person accused was acquitted.
Sleep sex can cause legal problems. If you suffer from this condition is it wise to keep track of the occurrences, document them and include any treatments sought. Some person's have suffered legal issues from this disorder. They not only destroyed their own lives but the lives of other's as well. It may have helped their case in court if they would of documented their behavior. This however, is a legal issue for attorneys.

Is sleep sex treatable?

Person's who suffer from this condition should seek help immediately. Seek out professionals such as doctors, psychiatrist, or psychologist who are trained in sexual/and or sleep disorders. Sleep sex maybe managed just as sleep walking disorder. It is wise to avoid the common factors such as drugs, alcohol, fatigue and stress.

Stanford has recently published a new study on sleep related violence. The research suggest that drugs like Valium can be used to help treat the violent types of sleep sex.

Is having sleep sex a major problem?

Sleep sex does not always cause problems. A lot of couples just include it in their lives. Some couples believe it adds appeal to their sex lives. They find it as a turn on being awakened to the touch of fondling

Some cases of sleep sex have a very dark side to them (violent sleep sex). Aggressive moaning, and fondling.

Many persons especially women view this type of sleep sex as rape like acts. They feel they are being forced to perform sexual intercourse with their partner who is in a dead and unawakened sleep. Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to awaken one from this state.

During sleep sex a persons manner tends to be more overbearing than having sex while one is awake. This type of sleep sex can lead to the risks of being accused of sexual assault.

Where can I find information and support?

www.sleepsex.org provides information about sexsomina, has a forum for discussion. It also provides a collection of many person's experiences.

www.sleepnet.com provides links to all information located on the internet. Currently contains over 250,000 pages.