OSA, CPAP and Male Sexual Function
Question:
th…@gpu.srv.ualberta.spoo.ca wrote: >I’ve been on CPAP since February of last year. >For the past few years, I’ve had no sexual activity of any kind, until >recently. Now, I’m finding that for some reason I have difficulty maintaining >an erection and in achieving orgasm. The problem _SEEMS_ to have something to >do with my breathing — at a certain point, I just run out of steam, and feel
I didn’t have THAT problem. Turned out that when I got my CPAP, I had enough energy to really enjoy sex again. Which was the LAST thing my (now ex-) wife wanted. In your position, I would get a complete physical. IANAD, but you could be suffering from diabetes or some other really bad problem. Tell your doctor about it, and insist on finding the problem — don’t let him brush you off. BTW, you indicated that you once smoked. Even though you quit more than 10 years ago, I would guess that you have damaged your lungs permanently by smoking. If you have lost enough lung function to notice, you may be much worse off than you think. Make that doctor’s appointment THIS WEEK. BTW, I don’t buy the bit about ‘barotrauma’. The pressures involved in CPAP are relatively tiny compared to those of scuba diving, and I have a brother-in-law who has been a professional diver for over 40 years, who is in better shape, and better health, than I am. — The true scientist revises his beliefs to fit the evidence. The true believer revises the evidence to fit his beliefs. — hlh_NOS…@mailexcite.com is a valid address. It is NOT munged. hlh_NOS…@usa.net is also a valid address. This is a spamtrap test. DO NOT SEND UNSOLICITED BULK EMAIL TO EITHER ADDRESS
Response:
Symptoms and side effects in adults Excessive daytime sleepiness (e.g. falling asleep in front of TV, at the wheel of a car etc.) Restless sleep Morning headaches Memory lapses Irritability General lethargy Slight disorientation Personality changes Sexual dysfunction (impotence) Obesity (losing weight can become difficult Sexual dysfunction is part of OSA as in common symptoms I have listed above I found great improvement since using CPAP, I am dangerous around the opposite sex now after not being interested for last 10 years.
Response:
I’ve been on CPAP since February of last year. For the past few years, I’ve had no sexual activity of any kind, until recently. Now, I’m finding that for some reason I have difficulty maintaining an erection and in achieving orgasm. The problem _SEEMS_ to have something to do with my breathing — at a certain point, I just run out of steam, and feel as though I’ve just run a mile, or taken a long flight of steps two at a time. I quit smoking over 10 years ago. I remember a somewhat controversial discussion here some time ago concerning something called "barotrauma" associated with CPAP use. After one of the few sexual experiences in which I _did_ achieve orgasm, I found myself unable to get a full breath of air, and in fact, had to sit up for nearly half an hour before I could lie down without feeling as though I was suffocating. Needless to say, my partner was rather concerned…. :/ I’ve decided, as an experiment, to discontinue CPAP for a while, to see if this has any effect on sexual function. Is it remotely possible that CPAP (or OSA, for that matter) could lead to some form of sexual dysfunction??? — Remove ‘.spoo’ before replying via e-mail
Response:
thall wrote:
snip >I’ve decided, as an experiment, to discontinue CPAP for a while, to see if >this has any effect on sexual function. >Is it remotely possible that CPAP (or OSA, for that matter) could lead to >some >form of sexual dysfunction???
Briefly, OSA can cause a lot of problems. Sexual disfunction is one. Difficulty in that area is common. Probably the CPAP improved things onough to allow you to resume your sex life. It is doubtful that it is CAUSING a problem. But, often several problems exist. Getting some rest may allow you to notice problems other than the OSA for the 1st time. I would consult a physician. I would bet it is not related to the CPAP in any way, but you could have underlying vascular or heart problems, allergies, asthma, etc.–or maybe something not so serious. A number of things or combinations of things can cause what you described. In any case, stopping CPAP seems to me to be the worst thing you could do. It sure could have an (negative) effect on sexual function and most other function as well. See a Doc. Max Tunnell (PolkaNoble)
Response:
On 4 Sep 1998 18:37:25 GMT, th…@gpu.srv.ualberta.spoo.ca wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I’ve been on CPAP since February of last year. >For the past few years, I’ve had no sexual activity of any kind, until >recently. Now, I’m finding that for some reason I have difficulty maintaining >an erection and in achieving orgasm. The problem _SEEMS_ to have something to >do with my breathing — at a certain point, I just run out of steam, and feel >as though I’ve just run a mile, or taken a long flight of steps two at a time. >I quit smoking over 10 years ago. >I remember a somewhat controversial discussion here some time ago concerning >something called "barotrauma" associated with CPAP use. After one of the few >sexual experiences in which I _did_ achieve orgasm, I found myself unable to >get a full breath of air, and in fact, had to sit up for nearly half an hour >before I could lie down without feeling as though I was suffocating. Needless >to say, my partner was rather concerned…. :/ >I’ve decided, as an experiment, to discontinue CPAP for a while, to see if >this has any effect on sexual function. >Is it remotely possible that CPAP (or OSA, for that matter) could lead to some >form of sexual dysfunction??? >– >Remove ‘.spoo’ before replying via e-mail
Sounds familiar. Not being able to catch my breath after exertion is for me, a symptom of emphysema. A pulmonary function test can confirm the efficiency of your lungs. I doubt if getting a good night’s sleep on CPAP would _cause_ impotence or difficulty in achieving orgasm. Check with your doc. If you’re on any medication, impotence is a frequent side-effect. So is decreased _or_increased libido. –Greg – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
On the contrary, BiPAP has restored some of the sexual function I lost with untreated OSA. I was so tired it was hard to think about sex, let alone perform. While I am not back to my younger self, I think if I lose the weight I gained during the 3 years between when I complained about severe fatigue and I diagnosed myself I will have the necessary energy for whatever. Stopping CPAP will probably have a negative effect rather than your desired intention. I would have a serious talk with your doctor about any blood pressure medication you may be taking, have your testosterone level checked, and rule out other problems such as diabetes before I looked at CPAP. BigAl db-g…@bigfoot.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -th…@gpu.srv.ualberta.spoo.ca wrote: > I’ve been on CPAP since February of last year. > For the past few years, I’ve had no sexual activity of any kind, until > recently. Now, I’m finding that for some reason I have difficulty maintaining > an erection and in achieving orgasm. The problem _SEEMS_ to have something to > do with my breathing — at a certain point, I just run out of steam, and feel > as though I’ve just run a mile, or taken a long flight of steps two at a time. > I quit smoking over 10 years ago. > I remember a somewhat controversial discussion here some time ago concerning > something called "barotrauma" associated with CPAP use. After one of the few > sexual experiences in which I _did_ achieve orgasm, I found myself unable to > get a full breath of air, and in fact, had to sit up for nearly half an hour > before I could lie down without feeling as though I was suffocating. Needless > to say, my partner was rather concerned…. :/ > I’ve decided, as an experiment, to discontinue CPAP for a while, to see if > this has any effect on sexual function. > Is it remotely possible that CPAP (or OSA, for that matter) could lead to some > form of sexual dysfunction??? > — > Remove ‘.spoo’ before replying via e-mail
