Self-pleasure or sexual climax?

Multiple studies have shown that masturbation can help you fall asleep faster and achieve higher-quality sleep. However, you might wonder whether masturbation itself is the key to improving sleep, or whether the improvement in sleep is merely the result of the orgasm. In other words, does masturbation have a unique effect on sleep? Or does any sexual activity that brings about an orgasm have the same effect?

Scientific research indicates that both masturbation and sexual intercourse with a partner can improve sleep, such as sleep latency and quality; however, these benefits depend to some extent on whether orgasm is achieved [1]. Specifically, if people do not reach orgasm after masturbation or sexual intercourse, the impact on sleep is less consistent.

Some studies have also found that men tend to have better sleep quality after sexual activity than women. However, this seems to be related to the difference in sexual climax: Given that men can achieve sexual climax more consistently during sexual encounters with their partners than women, their sleep quality is also more likely to be positively affected afterwards.

Measure sleep quality

A recent study published in the "Sleep Health" journal examined the effects of different sexual behaviors (such as masturbation, sexual intercourse with a partner, and abstinence) on various aspects of sleep quality [2]. The researchers used portable polysomnography systems and daily surveys to conduct a 11-night follow-up study on 14 couples. This enabled them to collect objective sleep data, such as sleep latency (the time it takes to fall asleep), sleep duration, and the duration spent in different sleep stages. It is notable that this is the first study to objectively measure sleep quality in the context of sexual behavior using a home-based method, rather than studying sleep in a laboratory environment, as the laboratory environment is an artificial setting that may alter sexual and sleep behaviors.

How does sexual climax affect sleep quality?

The authors of this study found that partners tend to go to bed later on nights when they have sexual activity - whether it's self-pleasure or sexual activity between partners - which can be regarded as a potential negative impact on overall sleep time [2]. However, they also observed some benefits: participants who had sexual activity or self-pleasure woke up less frequently at night, had higher sleep efficiency, and felt more prepared and motivated upon waking up. In contrast, those without sexual activity took longer to fall asleep.

Stronger orgasms are also associated with better sleep quality and a greater sense of preparedness and motivation the next day. In other words, stronger orgasms might lead to better sleep!

Overall, there is evidence suggesting that engaging in sexual activities (whether done alone or with a partner) is likely to help you get better sleep. However, whether your sleep quality improves depends on whether you reach orgasm.