Sleep Disorders: Men, Sleep, and Libido

Photo Credit: Gisela Giardino

In a recent issue of the Journal Sleep, there was a fascinating new study, once again showing the importance of sleep in all areas of health. This time it was referring to men's health --specifically testosterone levels.

We have known for a while that men's levels of testosterone vary with age and usually decline. Some men seem to have higher levels of testosterone well into their 80s. High levels of testosterone have been thought to be linked to hair loss, while low levels have been linked to lack of energy and libido. There is now evidence to suggest that these testosterone variations may be linked to sleep.

Researchers found that the amount of sleep that older men in their study got was significantly related to the amount of testosterone in their a.m. blood samples. More sleep lead to higher levels of testosterone.

What does this mean? It is really hard to say.

First, the results may need to be re-confirmed. Next, we would want to look not just at the total minutes of sleep, but also at the actual quality of the sleep these men are getting.

But what is quality sleep? Is it more delta sleep or slow wave sleep (that "wake up and feel great" sleep!)?

Another good question, but I would say that since we know that the elderly have lower wave amplitude (meaning that their brainwaves do not have as much power to the punch as they may have had when younger... but again we do not yet know what this may mean), we would want to see if those with higher testosterone at 80 have not only more minutes, but also higher amplitude.

How can this study have any effect on our real world thinking?

Here is how I see it: the more sleep you get at 80, the less hair you may have, but the more sexual drive is likely to stay with you.

So ask yourself: do you want to be bald and hot to trot, or do you want to have a head full of hair but not be that interested?

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