How CPAP is linked to better sex and sexual health
Sleep apnea is regressive for your sex life, especially for men. Between lowered oxygen to your brain at night and negative affects on your mood and heart, your body will incur other frustrating side effects from untreated sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea reduces the quality of your sleep and that takes a toll on you all day long, all the way to your time in bed. Along with sleepiness and headaches, sleep apnea’s affect on your body’s blood flow can lead to premature erectile dysfunction in men, as well as lowered sexual ability and enjoyment. In fact, 10-60% of OSA patients may develop erectile dysfunction.¹ The reduced blood flow impairs your bodily functions, especially with areas that only get activated under certain circumstances, like your sexual organs.
Study findings on CPAP and sexual health
The good news is, using CPAP may help both sleep apnea and your sex life at the same time. Researchers have found that using CPAP can:
- Reverse early onset erectile dysfunction¹
- Improve your ability to enjoy and participate in sex²
- Prevent sleep apnea induced damage to fertility tissue in men³
If you’re noticing trouble in the bedroom, then you may find you need a better CPAP.
How to stay compliant and improve sexual health
By now you’re wondering – how can I make sure my CPAP is giving me these groovy benefits? There are a few ways to ensure your CPAP is giving you the best CPAP therapy possible – and therefore helping your sexual health too.
Here are 4 tips to make your CPAP experience comfortable and stay compliant:
1. Make sure you have up-to-date supplies.
When your supplies are old, the therapy will become less and less effective. Because this happens slowly over time, most folks end up not noticing it. Instead, they will tighten their mask a little more, thinking they just need the seal a little closer.
Eventually this leads to over-tightening that can cause pain, marks, and the annoying “hot mask” feeling. The less comfortable your CPAP supplies are, the harder it is to stay compliant and get your CPAP benefits. You can avoid this by replacing your supplies with fresh ones regularly on the recommended, insurance-backed schedule.
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2. Make sure you have the most comfortable therapy.
Newer CPAP machines are now auto-titrating, meaning they adjust to your needs breath-by-breath to give the most effective pressure needed all through the night. That means you won’t need new sleep studies to get the pressure adjusted anymore! Even better, they have automatically adjusting comfort settings to help keep you comfortable in any season. The premiere Auto CPAP choice is ResMed’s AirSense 11 AutoSet, which offers:
- Humidification: 7 levels of humidity and an optional heated tube ensures you don’t dry out
- EPR: Expiratory Pressure Relief reduces pressure upon exhale, avoiding high pressure mask leaks
- AutoRamp: Starts your sleep therapy at a low pressure so you fall asleep more comfortably
- Humidification: 7 levels of humidity and an optional heated tube ensures you don’t dry out
- EPR: Expiratory Pressure Relief reduces pressure upon exhale, avoiding high pressure mask leaks
- AutoRamp: Starts your sleep therapy at a low pressure so you fall asleep more comfortably
Upgrade to the AirSense today for just $399 down and 0% APR! Just add to cart below.
3. Clean your CPAP supplies properly.
Bacteria buildup on your mask can make you sick or weaken your mask seal. Weak seals and CPAP illnesses are big barriers to compliance, as they make using CPAP much more of a chore. That’s why keeping your mask and hose clean can be the difference between intolerable and effective CPAP therapy. The Lumin makes cleaning easy with:
- Simple and Quick: Lumin kills 99% of bacteria in a one-touch 5 minute cycle
- UV Technology: specialized UV-C light source targets harmful bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungus
- Complete compatibility: No adapter needed
- Simple and Quick: Lumin kills 99% of bacteria in a one-touch 5 minute cycle
- UV Technology: specialized UV-C light source is targeted to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungus
- Complete compatibility: Lumin fits all major mask types and humidifier chambers
Save $70 when you buy the Lumin today! Just add to cart below with code LUMIN70 applied automatically.
If buildup on your mask is a common issue for you, try our Mask Wipes for daily use!
4. Use a mask that seals well and allows for intimacy.
Don’t let an uncomfortable mask stop you from getting your CPAP therapy. If leaks from your mask are giving you trouble, the Brevida Nasal Pillow Mask will be a great change. The Brevida’s double seal system will prevent leaks, and its minimal design will help you get closer to your bed partner. It also provides:
- Whisper quiet: Washable diffuser silences the air leaving the mask vents
- Secure seal: AirPillow cushion seals both in and around your nose, making leaks a thing of the past
- Adjustable and minimal design: Single strap headgear provides a comfortable fit
- Whisper quiet: Washable diffuser silences the air leaving the mask vents
- Secure seal: AirPillow cushion seals both in and around your nose, making leaks a thing of the past
- Adjustable and minimal design: Single strap headgear provides a comfortable fit
Save $21 on the Brevida today! Just add your size to cart below and code BREVIDA21 applies automatically.
Don’t miss out on your insurance coverage! Find out if the Brevida is covered today:
Sources:
- “Men using CPAP see improvement in sexual function, satisfaction” American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
- “Outcome of CPAP Treatment on Intimate and Sexual Relationships in Men with Obstructive Sleep Apnea” Reishtein et al.
- “Sleep Apnea as a Potential Threat to Reproduction” Hirotsu et al.
