Sexsomnia is a rare and not well understood sleep disorder where people engage in or try to engage in sexual activity while in a sleep state. It also goes by sleep sex (sleepsex). Some consider it somewhat similar to sleepwalking, sleep talking or sleep eating, but with the attempt at sex while sleeping.
While sleeping, some people masturbate, some engage in or try to engage in sex with their partners, and other people may molest or rape someone. These people may not be aware of this behavior until it is pointed out to them.
The sourced articles below should provide more information on sexsomnia or sleep sex.
- Sexsomnia (Sleep Sex)
“It is a parasomnia, similar to sleep walking, where people commit sexual acts while while sleeping or during an arousal from sleep. The perpetrator is not aware of his/her sexual aggression.”
Lawrence Martin, M.D., Clinical Professor of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Board Certified in Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, lakesidepress.com, accessed 2/21/2026
- Parasomnias
“Parasomnias are types of sleep disorders that involve unusual and unwanted behavior while you’re sleeping. … Parasomnias are categorized by which stage of sleep they take place in—either nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. … Two subtypes of confused arousal include sleep drunkenness, which involves being disoriented when waking up, and sexsomnia, which involves sexual acts, such as masturbation.”
Sheldon Reid, helpguide.org, 2/20/2026
- Sexsomnia Refers To Sexual Activity During Sleep, Why It Happens And How To Cope
“- Sexsomnia is a sleep disorder that involves sexual activity during sleep, like sleepwalking and sleep talking.
– Many with sexsomnia have no memory of their actions, and their behaviors can include masturbation, sexual movements, and attempts at intercourse.
– People experiencing sexsomnia should consult a sleep specialist for diagnosis and help.”Wendy Wisner, medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD, verywellmind.com, 1/30/2026
- What Is Sleep Sex (Sexsomnia)?
“Sexsomnia is different from sex dreams. Sex-themed dreams are not unusual for teenagers and adults. These experiences are quite different from sexsomnia. People with this disorder engage in sexual behaviors while asleep, often with other people.
The difficulty with a parasomnia like sleep sex is that the person with the disorder may not realize they have it. Partners, parents, roommates, or friends may first notice the behaviors. The person with the condition may not be aware of it until someone else brings it to their attention.”
Kimberly Holland, medically reviewed by Thomas Johnson, PA-C, healthline.com, updated 1/12/2026
- Sexsomnia: What To Know About Sleep Sex
“Sexsomnia, or sleep sex, occurs when an individual engages in sexual acts while asleep. Various triggers can increase the likelihood of sexsomnia, such as exhaustion, stress, or sleeping conditions. …
Sexsomnia involves sexual acts while asleep. Causes can include stress, underlying conditions such as sleep apnea, or extreme exhaustion.”
Jennifer Huizen, medically reviewed by Thomas Johnson, PA-C, medicalnewstoday.com, 10/3/2025
- Sexsomnia: What To Know About Sleep Sex
“Sexsomnia is a rare and often misunderstood sleep disorder in which a person engages in sexual behaviors while asleep. It can cause considerable distress and shame both for people who have it and their partners. However, treatment is possible and may include the use of medications or lifestyle changes, depending on the underlying cause.”
Jay Vera Summer, medically Reviewed by Brandon R. Peters, MD, FAASM, sleepfoundation.org, 9/3/2025
- Awakening To The Reality: Understanding Sexsomnia, The Sleep Disorder We’re Not Talking About
“One notable case involved a Canadian man in 2003 who was acquitted of sexual assault after his defense provided evidence of his sexsomnia condition. More on this can be found in the Toronto Star’s coverage of the trial. Such cases highlight the legal and social complexities surrounding the disorder.”
Aromedy, aromedy.com, 4/29/2024
- Sexsomnia: An Embarrassing Sleep Disorder No One Wants To Talk About
“‘There are some people who will engage in sexual activity with their partner, and it’s not bothersome to either one of them. So it is possible that this could be consensual for some,’ said Jennifer Mundt, assistant professor of sleep medicine, psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
‘There are definitely instances where it’s alarming to the partner and to the person who’s doing it once they realize what they’ve done.'”
CNN Newsource, keyt.com, 4/27/2024
- Sexsomnia: What Is Sleep Sex?
“Causes of sexsomnia are mostly unknown but are similar to other parasomnias in that episodes occur during a disruption while the brain is moving between deep sleep cycles. This disruption causes a confusional arousal during which the sleeping person appears awake but engages in unusual behavior. Additionally, various environmental and internal factors can trigger a sexsomnia episode.”
Lea Flego Secord, MA, LMFT, Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD Licensed medical reviewer, choosingtherapy.com, 11/8/2023
- What Is Sexsomnia? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, And Prevention
“A key aspect of sexsomnia is being asleep and unconscious while engaging in these acts. ‘The condition must include unresponsiveness or minimal responsiveness to conversation, unusual sexual responses or aggression, and an inability or difficulty to be woken during the event,’ Dr. Kilkenny says.
Even though you’re asleep the entire time, your eyes may be open and seemingly alert. ‘Although the person is asleep, it can appear to others that they are awake,’ Kilkenny says.”
Moira Lawler, medically reviewed by Chester Wu, MD, everydayhealth.com, updated 9/29/2023
- What Is ‘Sexsomnia’? And ‘Sleep Eating’? Can They Be Treated?
“During sleep some people can engage in sex (‘sexsomnia’), pig out on junk food, try to cook, have a lively conversation or even hop in their car for a quick spin. … Unfortunately, unlike other sleep disorders like sleep apnea or insomnia, there are no consensus guidelines for treating what are called ‘arousal disorders’ or ‘parasomnias,’ a new evidence review in the journal Sleep Medicine concludes.”
HealthDay, powershealth.org, 9/26/2023
- Sexsomnia Really Exists — Here’s What To Know About ‘Sleep Sex’
“It’s thought that 7.1% of the global adult population will experience sexsomnia at some point in their lives, according to a 2018 review in the journal Cureus. It’s also thought to be more common in men than women, according to a 2007 paper in the journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, although it is unclear why.”
Amy Arthur, livescience.com, 2/7/2023
- Is Sexsomnia Real — And Could You Have It And Not Know It?
“Although you’re asleep, it can appear to others that you’re awake. Someone experiencing an episode might have an open-eyed, vacant look, Dr. Horvat says.
And you may only find out you have the disorder from a partner, roommate or family member.”
Cleveland Clinic, clevelandclinic.org, 8/15/2022
- Understanding Sexsomnia Or Sleep Sex
“Although some behaviors are harmless, such as self-touching, some can be serious and lead you to jail. In fact, sexsomnia has been interpreted as rape or attempted rape, while others use it as a defense in rape cases.
It can also create a huge gap between couples if they are unaware of this kind of parasomnia since it can indicate non-satisfaction in a relationship.”
Samuel Njoroge, lgbtqandall.com, 8/7/2021
- Sexsomnia Sleep Disorder: Signs, Symptoms And Causes
“Sexsomnia, known by layman terms as ‘sleep sex,’ was once reported by nearly eight percent of patients at a sleep disorders center, and was more prevalent in men versus women, according to American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The first known case of sexsomnia was reported in 1986, and worldwide, only 94 cases have been documented, according to a 2015 study. It is a disorder that is believed to be unreported.”
Kevin Asp, CRT, RPSGT, aastweb.org, 7/2/2021