Snoring as a risk factor for sexual dysfunction in community men.
BACKGROUND
Severe obstructive sleep apnea has been associated with sexual dysfunction; however, it is unclear whether milder forms of sleep disturbances might also be associated with sexual problems.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between snoring and five measures of sexual dysfunction in a population-based sample of men.


METHODS
A stratified random sample of men residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota completed a questionnaire containing questions from the Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory (BMSFI) and a sleep questionnaire.


METHODS
Levels of sexual drive (libido), erectile function, ejaculatory function, sexual problem assessment, and sexual satisfaction as assessed by the BMSFI.


RESULTS
Of 827 men with a regular sexual partner, subjects were divided into categories of heavy (N = 95), moderate (N = 573), and none/mild (N = 159) snoring. Their median age was 64 years (range 51-90). The sexual satisfaction domain score was significantly lower in the heavy snoring group (P value = 0.01). The odds of low sexual satisfaction was 2.3 (95% CI 1.2, 4.1) among the heavy snorers compared with the none/mild snoring group. This association remained statistically significant after adjustment for smoking, medical comorbidities, and mental health status. However, there was no significant difference in ejaculatory function, erectile function, sexual drive, and sexual problem assessment across snoring categories.


CONCLUSIONS
These data provide evidence of an association between snoring severity and reduced sexual satisfaction in a population of elderly community males. Snoring was not associated with biologic measures of sexual dysfunction.
Hanak
Viktor
V
Mayo Clinic-Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
Jacobson
Debra J
DJ
Mayo Clinic-Division of Biostatistics, Rochester, MN, USA.
McGree
Michaela E
ME
Mayo Clinic-Division of Biostatistics, Rochester, MN, USA.
Sauver
Jennifer St
JS
Mayo Clinic-Division of Epidemiology, Rochester, MN, USA;. Electronic address: stsauver.jennifer@mayo.edu.
Lieber
Michael M
MM
Mayo Clinic-Urology, Rochester, MN, USA.
Olson
Eric J
EJ
Mayo Clinic-Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
Somers
Virend K
VK
Mayo Clinic-Cardiovascular Diseases, Rochester, MN, USA.
Gades
Naomi M
NM
Mayo Clinic-Division of Epidemiology, Rochester, MN, USA.
Jacobsen
Steven J
SJ
Department of Research and Evaluation, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Pasadena, CA, USA.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003075:Coitus; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D010410:Penile Erection; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012913:Snoring / Q000453:epidemiology*