How Can Sleep Affect Men’s Health?

By Hidaya Aliouche, B.Sc.
Reviewed by Sophia Coveney

This article is a repost which originally appeared on News Medical

Edited for content. The opinions expressed in this article may not reflect the opinions of this site’s editors, staff or members.

Key Points

‧ Adults should get an average of 8 hours of sleep per night.

‧ A lack of good sleep can cause many serious maladies.

‧ The use of a CPAP can be beneficial in many cases of sleep apnea

Sleep is known to affect several systems and processes in the body. Overarchingly, sleep deprivation is associated with negative health consequences.

With regards to specific effects of sleep on men’s health, dysfunctional sleeping patterns have been shown to impact erectile dysfunction, lower urinary tract symptoms, hypogonadal symptoms, low testosterone, and male infertility.

What is considered to be appropriate sleep?

The average number of hours of sleep required for an adult is between 7–9 for optimal health. However, a considerable number of adults do not meet this requirement.

A study conducted in 2012 demonstrated that 29.2% of men achieved an average of 6 hours or less of sleep each evening. the institute of Medicine further estimates that between 50 and 70 million Americans suffer from a chronic sleep disorder; this epidemic is associated with societal changes which include increased reliance on technology, increased working hours, and poor sleep hygiene.

In addition, non-standard shift working patterns can divulge significantly from circadian patterns which further increases the risk of impaired sleep quality.

The interrelationship between disrupted or inadequate sleep and the manifestation of disease

The relationship between health and sleep is bi-directional. There are several medical conditions associated with inadequate or disrupted sleep which include restless leg syndrome, insomnia, hypogonadism, sleep apnea, and depression.

Furthermore, several studies have revealed that short and sleep or disrupted sleep can produce health conditions including diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, heart attacks, stroke, and several endocrine and cardiovascular disorders. Moreover, poor sleep also impacts the patients’ perception of symptoms and their severity alongside the clinical responses observed.

Combined with independent risk factors such as age, body mass in tax, mental health conditions that affect the perception of symptoms such as depression, and clinical characteristics, sleep functioning can moderate clinical symptoms and impact the quality of life experienced by patients.

Sleep and erectile dysfunction

In the general population, longitudinal studies have revealed that approximately 50% of men experienced erectile dysfunction to some degree. Several studies have reported that sleep can affect erectile dysfunction. For example, a cross-sectional analysis of 2676 men over the age of 67 found that those with a sleep dysfunction called nocturnal hypoxemia were more likely to experience moderate or complete erectile dysfunction.

In the same study, a similar condition that disrupts sleep, sleep apnea, was studied in relation to erectile dysfunction. In a randomized sham-controlled trial, a total of 61 men were assigned to groups to investigate whether the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) could improve erectile function in men who suffered from both erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea.

Overall, men who were randomized to CPAP showed no change in erectile dysfunction; however, when further examined in terms of patients who used the CPAP machine for over four hours per night, those who did so experienced a significant improvement. A placebo trial showed that a medication commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction did not significantly improve erectile dysfunction in these men.

These results suggest that in men with obstructive sleep apnea, sleep quality contributes to the condition, and may not respond to first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction with a PDE5 inhibitor; suggesting that in fact, correcting the underlying sleep impairment could produce more significant improvement in erectile dysfunction.

Alongside obstruction to breathing, non-standard shift work that has a significant effect on sleep has been shown to impact erectile dysfunction. A correlation between insomnia and erectile dysfunction has been confirmed by several studies. Some of these studies suggest that the correction of poor sleep in isolation may lead to a clinical improvement in manifestations of erectile dysfunction. This body of research continues to grow.

Sleep and lower urinary tract symptoms

Aging male populations commonly experience lower urinary tract symptoms. This is frequently associated with benign prostatic hypertrophy. Symptoms include poor urine stream, incomplete emptying of the bladder, straining, changes to the frequency of urination, urination hesitancy, and nocturia.

The urge to urinate is often exacerbated during the night, which leads to disrupted sleep and a decrease in overall sleep quality. A survey conducted on 5335 men who were diagnosed with lower urinary tract symptoms demonstrated that only 13% reported continuous sleep periods of more than two to three hours, illustrating the degree to which urinary tract symptoms can affect sleep.

Other studies have verified an association between lower urinary tract symptoms and other sleep-affecting conditions. For example, men with obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to experience urinary tract symptoms compared to those who do not. The severity of obstructive sleep apnea in this context has been found to correlate the most strongly with daytime frequency, urgency, and frequency of nocturia.

CPAP machines have been found to reduce lower urinary tract symptoms in those with obstructive sleep apnea. For example, a man with both lower urinary tract symptoms and obstructive sleep apnea who implemented CPAP for 12 months showed a significant increase in bladder compliance, as well as decreases in nocturia frequency and nighttime urination volumes.

Insomnia is also considered to be an aggravator of lower urinary tract symptoms as well as non-standard shift work.

Sleep and male fertility

Several studies have demonstrated that sperm counts have been decreasing over the past 40 years (50 to 60%). Unlike the linear correlation between erectile dysfunction and sleep, the relationship between sleep and male fertility is less clear.

Evidence suggests that an inverted U shape relationship exists, meaning that excessive and insufficient sleep are equally associated with reduced fertility. In a study of 198 infertile men, this relationship was found. However, interestingly no differences in semen volume, sperm motility, luteinizing hormone, or follicle-stimulating hormone were observed.

An additional study found via testicular biopsies in idiopathic infertile men that full circadian disruption – as manifested by too little or too much sleep – may affect the oxidation state of the testicle, shifting spermatogenesis.

Despite these correlative studies, no studies have assessed the impact of obstructive sleep apnea on fertility. With regards to non-standard shift work which impairs sleep quality, this has been suggested to impair spermatogenesis, although findings from studies have been inconsistent: some studies have demonstrated that men performing shift work had higher odds of experiencing infertility, while others have found no effect.

Conclusion

Poor sleep affects men and women alike. However, the unique effects in men concern urological problems, including erectile dysfunction, lower urinary tract symptoms, hypogonadism, and male infertility.

Alongside these, poor sleep is associated with a higher risk of several health problems that affect the quality of life including but not limited to cognitive impairment, social impairment, mood disturbances, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and associated manifestations such as atrial fibrillation.

References

‧  Kohn TP, Kohn JR, Haney NM, et al. (2020) The effect of sleep on men’s health. Transl Androl Urol. doi:10.21037/tau.2019.11.07.
‧  Irer B, Celikhisar A, Celikhisar H, et al. (2018) Evaluation of Sexual Dysfunction, Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Quality of Life in Men With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and the Efficacy of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy. Urology. doi:10.1016/j.urology.2018.08.001.
‧  Soterio-Pires JH, Hirotsu C, Kim LJ, et al. (2016)The interaction between erectile dysfunction complaints and depression in men: a cross-sectional study about sleep, hormones, and quality of life. Int J Impot Res. doi:10.1038/ijir.2016.4.
‧  McBride JA, Kohn TP, Rodriguez KM, et al. (2018) Incidence and characteristics of men at high risk for sleep apnea in a high volume andrology clinic. J Urol. 10.1016/j.juro.2018.02.1358.

 

 

Living With ED: How To Take Back Your Life

Living With ED: How To Take Back Your Life

Dealing with erectile dysfunction (ED) can be incredibly difficult for men at any age. Men often feel ashamed of their condition and convince themselves that they’re “less of a man” because of it. When left untreated, the effects can spiral into other areas of their life. Self confidence, intimate relationships, and overall health can decline quickly. If you are struggling with ED, it’s important to realize that it doesn’t have to control your life. With these few tips you can get back to being your best self!

Talk To A Doctor

The first step to taking back control of your life is to talk to a doctor. With the shame or embarrassment that a lot of men feel about ED, it’s normal to even be embarrassed to tell your doctor. Remember that your physician will simply want to help you. Don’t let a mental block stop you from reaching out for help. They might help you explore options for ED medications to give you some short term relief or suggest other lifestyle changes. They also might want to make sure you don’t have any other undiagnosed illnesses. ED can be a symptom of another illness like heart disease, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome to name a few.

Exercise

Being proactive about your overall health will help you feel more in control of your ED symptoms. Working out can help tackle ED symptoms from many angles as your overall health generally improves. Since obesity increases the risk of ED, working out can get you on track to being a healthier weight and potentially reducing your symptoms. Another way that exercise can impact ED is through body positivity. Perhaps you’re not confident in your body and it’s causing some performance anxiety. If that’s the case, working out can improve your self esteem over time and potentially relieve your ED symptoms.

Diet

Incorporating a healthy diet into your routine is another great way to help alleviate ED symptoms. Being selective about what you eat and noticing the effects on your mood and mental state and your body will help you feel in control of your body. Aside from your basic “healthy balanced diet” there are some specific nutrients to help fight ED that you’ll want to be sure to incorporate. Many of these nutrients are linked to improving circulation, which is necessary for improving ED symptoms.

Remember, having erectile dysfunction does NOT diminish you as a man, or as a person. You may feel alone, defeated, betrayed by your body and unable to do the things you want when you want to. You can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you react. Find solace in controlling other aspects of your life that you are able to control. Your mental and physical health will improve and you’ll be well on your way to getting your confidence back.

# # #

PEGym.com is not responsible for the content of or links from sponsor articles. If you have a complaint/concern or recommendation please contact us.

Men: Ageing and Sexual Health Myths

Men: Ageing and Sexual Health Myths

[email protected] (healthxchange.sg)
Health Xchange4 September 2020

This article is a repost which originally appeared on Yahoo SG

In conjunction with World Sexual Health Day (4 Sep 2020), the departments of Psychiatry and Urology from Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group, help dispel common myths about male ageing and sexual health.

Top 5 myths on male ageing and sexual health

Myth 1: Is something wrong with me as my friends don’t seem to have complaints about their erections?

Fact: Every man’s erection becomes weaker with age. However, men with medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol may experience erectile dysfunction earlier in their lives.

Myth 2: A short penis is not good for sex.

Fact: Many men have this misconception that good sex requires a long penis. Procedures to lengthen the penis are merely cosmetic and do not enhance erection. In fact, they may even impair erections in some cases! (Alprazolam)

Myth 3: Is not being able to have multiple erections a problem?

Fact: Most men do not have multiple erections. After ejaculation, the penis will have a refractory period whereby it cannot become erect.

Myth 4: Using erection drugs will improve my sex life.

Fact: Erection drugs do not increase sex drive. They increase blood flow in the penis, allowing erections to be stronger and more rigid.

Myth 5: It is possible to die from taking erection drugs.

Fact: Deaths from erection drugs are very rare and they happen when the drugs are taken without medical supervision. Victims may also have underlying medical conditions like heart problems. When taken properly under medical supervision, erection drugs are actually very safe.​

Treatment for erectile dysfunction

The most common treatment for erectile dysfunction is taking drugs such as Viagra, Levitra or Cialis under medical supervision. The most drastic treatment is a surgical procedure which involves inserting a penile implant.

Reduced libido caused by a lack of testosterone can be confirmed with a blood test and treated with testosterone supplements. The treatment can be given in an oral form or via a series of injections, with regular follow-ups to ensure that the patient’s testosterone is replaced adequately and safely.

Prevention is better than treatment

That is why it is important to maintain a well-balanced lifestyle – physically, emotionally and financially – as it is the first step towards graceful ageing and a healthy sex life.

If you have any chronic medical problems such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and depression, they need to be managed well so as to prevent long-term complications.

Experts warn against drug and alcohol abuse as these have a toxic effect on the nervous system, damaging nerves that are critical to sexual desire. Smoking causes early atherosclerosis (which leads to premature erectile dysfunction and is also associated with heart attacks, strokes and many cancers) and should be avoided.

Exercising regularly will also help improve your self image (which increases desire and boosts sexual hormones) and promote healthy blood vessels (which means delaying the onset of erectile dysfunction).

On the emotional front, focus on relationships with important people in your life and let go of past grievances. Also, be mentally and financially prepared for retirement. If one enters the golden years possessing financial stability, companionship and meaningful hobbies, one will be well equipped to lead a more fulfilling life in the later years.