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Sexual intercourse and masturbation: Potential relief factors for restless legs syndrome?
... It has been reported that mental activities such as puzzles, card games, reading, knitting, and computer operations can be effective in coping with RLS symptoms [41]. It has been reported that sexual activity and masturbation can also be used to control RLS symptoms [42,43]. ...
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a sensory-motor problem characterized by an uncomfortable and unpleasant feeling that causes a strong and irresistible desire to move the legs, often during periods of inactivity during sleep. Published full-text studies including non-pharmacological interventions used in the management of restless leg syndrome constitute the data of the study. Data were collected from MEDLINE-Pubmed, Science Direct, CINAHL electronic databases. As a result of the search, a total of 10,453 articles were reached. The study sample included quasi-experimental, experimental, or randomized controlled trials, which were published in English, with non-pharmacological interventions used to cope with restless leg syndrome, with full text available without any year limitation. Therefore, the sample consisted of 25 research articles. Non-pharmacological interventions discussed in this study are acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy, yoga, exercise, sleep hygiene training, near-infrared light therapy, vibration, and massage techniques. In our systematic review, it was found that non-pharmacological methods used to cope with RLS reduce RLS symptoms, RLS severity and mental health problems (depression, anxiety, stress, etc.), and increase quality of life and sleep quality. However, most of the studies we have reviewed are not randomized controlled studies and the sample group of most of them is small. Therefore, their results do not constitute sufficient evidence. In our study, it was recommended to conduct randomized controlled studies with large samples to cope with RLS.
The nonpharmacologic management of patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) is an important part of the treatment. It can represent the entire treatment or it can be used as an adjuvant to pharmacologic options. The limited number of controlled studies allowed for a plethora of pseudoprofessional recommendations. Some of these suggestions may have a grain of truth and some are utterly dangerous. This review discusses the different potential treatments for RLS to facilitate the design of a tailored program for specific patients. Another goal of this review is to prompt the researcher to investigate some of the laymen suggestions.
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Introduction
The purpose of our study is to describe 4 cases of sexsomnia, a form of parasomnia characterised by sexual behaviour during sleep.
Methods
Clinical history and video-polysomnography recordings from patients diagnosed with sexsomnia in the Multidisciplinary Sleep Unit at Hospital Clínic in Barcelona.
Results
Three men and one woman between 28 and 43 years of age reported sexual behaviours during sleep with progression times ranging from 9 months to 7 years. Episodes consisted of masturbation without seeking the participation of a sleeping partner (2 cases) and attempts at sexual intercourse with inappropriate and uncharacteristic vocalizations and behaviours (3 cases). The frequency of the episodes ranged from 4 isolated episodes to 2-3 per week. Patients were amnestic of these events and surprised by their partners’ accounts of their behaviour. Medical histories revealed that 1 patient was a somnambulist, 2 had confusional arousals, and 1 experienced somniloquy. Video-polysomnography did not disclose sexual behaviours during sleep but revealed sleep apnoea in 2 cases and periodic leg movements in sleep in another. The only patient treated with clonazepam reported decreased frequency of both confusional arousals and sexsomnia episodes.
Conclusions
Sexsomnia occurs in young adults and is characterised by masturbation and inappropriate attempts at achieving sexual intercourse followed by total amnesia of the events. It can be associated with other parasomnias such as sleepwalking and confusional arousals. Other sleep disorders, including sleep apnoea and periodic leg movement disorder, may trigger episodes of sexsomnia.
Introduction:
The purpose of our study is to describe 4 cases of sexsomnia, a form of parasomnia characterised by sexual behaviour during sleep.
Methods:
Clinical history and video-polysomnography recordings from patients diagnosed with sexsomnia in the Multidisciplinary Sleep Unit at Hospital Clínic in Barcelona.
Results:
Three men and one woman between 28 and 43 years of age reported sexual behaviours during sleep with progression times ranging from 9 months to 7 years. Episodes consisted of masturbation without seeking the participation of a sleeping partner (2 cases) and attempts at sexual intercourse with inappropriate and uncharacteristic vocalizations and behaviours (3 cases). The frequency of the episodes ranged from 4 isolated episodes to 2-3 per week. Patients were amnestic of these events and surprised by their partners' accounts of their behaviour. Medical histories revealed that 1 patient was a somnambulist, 2 had confusional arousals, and 1 experienced somniloquy. Video-polysomnography did not disclose sexual behaviours during sleep but revealed sleep apnoea in 2 cases and periodic leg movements in sleep in another. The only patient treated with clonazepam reported decreased frequency of both confusional arousals and sexsomnia episodes.
Conclusions:
Sexsomnia occurs in young adults and is characterised by masturbation and inappropriate attempts at achieving sexual intercourse followed by total amnesia of the events. It can be associated with other parasomnias such as sleepwalking and confusional arousals. Other sleep disorders, including sleep apnoea and periodic leg movement disorder, may trigger episodes of sexsomnia.
Background: Restless legs syndrome is a common yet frequently undiagnosed sensorimotor disorder. In 1995, the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group developed standardized criteria for the diagnosis of restless legs syndrome. Since that time, additional scientific scrutiny and clinical experience have led to a better understanding of the condition. Modification of the criteria is now necessary to better reflect that increased body of knowledge, as well as to clarify slight confusion with the wording of the original criteria.Setting: The restless legs syndrome diagnostic criteria and epidemiology workshop at the National Institutes of Health.Participants: Members of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group and authorities on epidemiology and the design of questionnaires and scales.Objective: To modify the current criteria for the diagnosis of restless legs syndrome, to develop new criteria for the diagnosis of restless legs syndrome in the cognitively impaired elderly and in children, to create standardized criteria for the identification of augmentation, and to establish consistent questions for use in epidemiology studies.Results: The essential diagnostic criteria for restless legs syndrome were developed and approved by workshop participants and the executive committee of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. Criteria were also developed and approved for the additional aforementioned groups.
Video-polysomnographic monitoring of a patient with a 4-year history of an unpleasant restless sensation originating in his lower abdomen showed stereotyped, repetitive, rhythmic pelvic body movements resembling coital behaviour at the wake-sleep transition. We discuss the association between restless legs syndrome and rhythmic movement disorder as a particular manifestation of a spectrum of rhythmic sleep-related movement disorders.
Restless legs syndrome is a common yet frequently undiagnosed sensorimotor disorder. In 1995, the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group developed standardized criteria for the diagnosis of restless legs syndrome. Since that time, additional scientific scrutiny and clinical experience have led to a better understanding of the condition. Modification of the criteria is now necessary to better reflect that increased body of knowledge, as well as to clarify slight confusion with the wording of the original criteria.
The restless legs syndrome diagnostic criteria and epidemiology workshop at the National Institutes of Health.
Members of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group and authorities on epidemiology and the design of questionnaires and scales.
To modify the current criteria for the diagnosis of restless legs syndrome, to develop new criteria for the diagnosis of restless legs syndrome in the cognitively impaired elderly and in children, to create standardized criteria for the identification of augmentation, and to establish consistent questions for use in epidemiology studies.
The essential diagnostic criteria for restless legs syndrome were developed and approved by workshop participants and the executive committee of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. Criteria were also developed and approved for the additional aforementioned groups.
The restless legs syndrome is a common disorder that encompasses an idiopathic form of genetic or unknown origin and symptomatic forms associated with many causes. Symptomatic forms occur during pregnancy and are coincident with uraemia, iron depletion, polyneuropathy, spinal disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis. For the hereditary forms, at least three gene loci, located on chromosomes 12, 14, and 9, have been traced so far. Prevalence in the general population is between 3% and 9%, increases with age, and is higher in women than in men. Treatment is needed only in the moderate to severe forms of the disorder and mostly in elderly people. Pathophysiology and treatment may be closely linked to the dopaminergic system and iron metabolism. Dopaminergic treatment with levodopa and dopamine agonists is the first choice in idiopathic restless legs syndrome, but augmentation and rebound should be monitored in long-term treatment. Various other drugs, such as opioids, gabapentin, and benzodiazepines, provide alternative treatment possibilities.