The Vocal Pelvic Floor with Dr. Ginger Garner

Too Tired for Desire: The Role of Sleep and Stress in Libido, Hormones, and Sexual Pain

Dr. Ginger Garner Season 5 Episode 111

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0:00 | 57:55

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Low libido and sexual pain are often treated as isolated hormonal, psychological, or relationship problems. But sexual function also depends on sleep, energy, attention, vascular health, pain processing, and nervous-system regulation. 

In this season finale episode, Dr. Ginger Garner examines what patients and partners should stop saying, what they can do instead, and how restorative sleep and effective stress management can create the physiological margin required for desire, arousal, comfort, and pleasure.

Read the blog post here!

Resources:

  1. Dr. Garner’s Instagram & YouTube Channel
  2. Schedule a free consult with Dr. Garner
  3. Garner Pelvic Health
  4. Relevant Research Articles:
    1. Dilixiati D, Kadier K, Laihaiti D, Lu JD, Rezhake R, Azhati B, Rexiati M. The relationship between sleep disorders, quality, and duration and sexual dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sex Med. 2023 Apr 26:qdad054. doi: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdad054. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37186140.
    2. Su L, Zhang SZ, Zhu J, Wu J, Jiao YZ. Effect of partial and total sleep deprivation on serum testosterone in healthy males: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med. 2021 Dec;88:267-273. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2021.10.031. Epub 2021 Nov 8. PMID: 34801825.
    3. Zhong O, Liao B, Wang J, Liu K, Lei X, Hu L. Effects of Sleep Disorders and Circadian Rhythm Changes on Male Reproductive Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Front Physiol. 2022 Jul 13;13:913369. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.913369. PMID: 35910569; PMCID: PMC9326175.
    4. Steinke E, Palm Johansen P, Fridlund B, Broström A. Determinants of sexual dysfunction and interventions for patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: a systematic review. Int J Clin Pract. 2016 Jan;70(1):5-19. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.12751. Epub 2015 Nov 30. PMID: 26620672.
    5. Afolalu EF, Ramlee F, Tang NKY. Effects of sleep changes on pain-related health outcomes in the general population: A systematic review of longitudinal studies with exploratory meta-analysis. Sleep Med Rev. 2018 Jun;39:82-97. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2017.08.001. Epub 2017 Aug 18. PMID: 29056414; PMCID: PMC5894811.
    6. Runge N, Ahmed I, Saueressig T, Perea J, Labie C, Mairesse O, Nijs J, Malfliet A, Verschueren S, Van Assche D, de Vlam K, Van Waeyenberg T, Van Haute J, De Baets L. The bidirectional relationship between sleep problems and chronic musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Pain. 2024 Nov 1;165(11):2455-2467. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003279. Epub 2024 May 28. PMID: 38809241.
    7. Rouhi S, Topcu J, Egorova-Brumley N, Jordan AS. The impact of sleep disturbance on pain perception: A systematic review examining the moderating effect of sex and age. Sleep Med Rev. 2023 Oct;71:101835. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2023.101835. Epub 2023 Aug 7. PMID: 37586144.
    8. Tavares IM, Moura CV, Nobre PJ. The Role of Cognitive Processing Factors in Sexual Function and Dysfunction in Women and Men: A Systematic Review. Sex Med Rev. 2020 Jul;8(3):403-430. doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2020.03.002. Epub 2020 May 10. PMID: 32402763.
    9. Kadah S, Soh SE, Morin M, Schneider M, Ang WC, McPhate L, Frawley H. Are pelvic pain and increased pelvic floor muscle tone associated in women with persistent noncancer pelvic pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sex Med. 2023 Aug 25;20(9):1206-1221. doi: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdad089. PMID: 37507352.

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