One such study
Sexsomnia is a specific parasomnic behavior recognized in the DSM-5 and the ICSD-3. DSM-5 lists sexsomnia under the diagnosis “non-rapid eye movement [NREM] sleep arousal disorders” (Ref. 1, p 399) and notes that it may also be called “sleep-related sexual behavior.” The ICSD-3 indicates that “sleep-related abnormal sexual behaviors” (Ref. 2, p 232) may represent a subtype of confusional arousal or sleepwalking, which themselves are disorders of arousal within the category of NREM-related parasomnias. Fedoroff and colleagues first described parasomnic sexual behavior in a 1997 case series assessing the motivation of men who sexually assaulted sleeping victims.4 Shapiro and colleagues subsequently coined the term “sexsomnia” in 2003 in a case series of 11 individuals who engaged in sexual behaviors while asleep.5Sleep-related sexual behavior is increasingly recognized as more common than initially presumed. In a population-based, cross-sectional study of 1,000 adults (51% women) in Norway,
the lifetime prevalence of sexual acts while asleep was 7.4 percent.
Comparatively, 22.4 percent had a lifetime prevalence of sleepwalking, 66.8 percent of sleep talking, 10.4 percent of sleep terrors, and 4.5 percent of sleep-related eating.6
Characteristics of Sexsomnia
Sleep-related sexual behaviors are as varied as sexual behaviors that occur while awake. Sexual acts performed while asleep include masturbation, spontaneous orgasms, sexual vocalizations, oral sex, anal sex, fondling another person, attempted intercourse, and completed sexual intercourse.7 In one study of sexsomnic behaviors, 75 percent of the individuals who engaged in sexual activity while asleep were men.
The most common behaviors included sexual intercourse and fondling.8
The most common diagnosis for individuals engaged in sexsomnic behaviors was disorder of arousal (86%), and the second most common was obstructive sleep apnea (14.3%).
About a quarter of the cases resulted in legal consequences.
In a recent review of 351 forensic referrals to a sleep center, 41 percent (n = 145) were referred due to sexual assault allegations. Of the initial 351 referrals, 31 percent (n = 110) were believed to be possibly sleep-related and were accepted for the purpose of a forensic sleep evaluation.9Reasons for rejection included behavior better explained by another medical or psychiatric condition and concomitant alcohol intoxication or illicit drug use. Of the 110 cases accepted for investigation, 52 related to sexual assault allegations. Sexsomnia was the most common diagnosis, representing 46 of 110 cases, with other diagnoses including disorders of arousal (n = 22), pharmaceutical toxicity with zolpidem or zaleplon (n = 18), and sleep deprivation (n = 7). Notably, the authors did not diagnose malingering in any of the 110 referrals.
Triggers for sexsomnic episodes, like other NREM parasomnias, include alcohol, recreational drug use, sleep deprivation, fatigue, circadian rhythm disruption (e.g., from airplane travel across time zones), psychotropic medications, and other sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea, bruxism, periodic limb movements, and restless leg syndrome.10,–,12The majority of patients have a history of current or prior sleepwalking, sleep talking, or sleep terrors; studies have demonstrated that 11.1 to 35.3 percent of patients with sexsomnia may have no evidence of prior or current nonsexual parasomnic behavior.13,14 Most sexsomnic events occur during the first third of the night. Partners note that patients, when engaged in sexsomnia, are more direct, aggressive, less inhibited, less focused on the partner, and sometimes display sexual behavior that is atypical for the individual.13 The episodes are usually brief, lasting less than 30 minutes, and are initiated abruptly.7 Most sexsomnia patients do not have any recall of the sexual episodes; in one study, 96 percent of patients reported complete amnesia for the episode.8 A minority of patients have reported patchy or full recall of sexsomnia, especially if the partner reciprocated the sleeper’s sexual engagement.13 Patients do not often attempt to conceal their actions and are typically upset when they become aware of them.7
( There's more OP on how it’s treated on this study )
Facts and making information available are everything
Jumping to conclusions are not
Assuming I’m a man because I care about science and facts is really sexist !!!