Does Sleep Apnea Affect Your Erections?

A large number of men around the world are affected by Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which has been shown to affect many parts of daily life, including alertness, quality of life, and, unfortunately, the ability to have an erection. We spend a third of our lives sleeping, much of which can be spent in a hypoxic state due to OSA. Hypoxia, a low level of oxygen in the blood, is known to affect the entire body, particularly blood pressure and endothelial function, all of which play a crucial role in erectile function.

OSA is usually seen in men who have a higher BMI associated with obesity (≥ 30), which also brings its problems. Combining the two and poor erectile function becomes more likely. Achieving and maintaining a good erection requires adequate blood flow to the penis and good endothelial function to allow for proper dilation of blood vessels. Prolonged periods of hypoxia secondary to OSA can damage the body’s endothelial cells, which can cause further complications from elevated blood pressure. In a recent study on obstructive sleep apnea and erectile function, researchers investigated how Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for OSA can positively impact erectile function after prolonged use due to its ability to improve sleep quality and blood oxygen saturation.

The results of this study were very positive and suggest that CPAP therapy can improve erectile function in men with moderate to severe erectile dysfunction. Men with mild/moderate erectile dysfunction showed no improvement in erectile function, but erectile function did improve.

In this study, sleepiness and depression decreased while general well-being increased. Although the study failed to identify the mechanisms behind the improvement, it hypothesized that preventing sleep apnea with the CPAP machine eliminated hypoxia. Over time, the absence of hypoxia allowed the penile vasculature to restore its ability to properly stretch, resulting in improved erections overall.

Maintaining good health during the night hours is just as important as maintaining your physical health during the waking hours. If you have been diagnosed with OSA and have been prescribed CPAP, consistent use can improve your daily quality of life and even improve your sex life. If you think you may have sleep apnea, consult your GP or sleep specialist for evaluation. In case you want immediate results, the doctor may prescribe ED medications such as Cenforce 150mg or Suhagra 100mg for the time being.