(104) Zzz’s and the Big O: Investigating the Impact of Orgasm on Sleep Quality in Women

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Sleep quality and sexual satisfaction are contributors to overall well-being, yet little research has investigated the impact of orgasms on subsequent sleep quality in women. This study aims to address this gap by analyzing sleep data from the Fitbit Versa 3 and self-reported sexual encounters to determine if sleep quality improves following orgasm. This data can contribute to an overall understanding of the connection between sexual experiences and sleep quality and strategies to improve overall health. Objective The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether sleep quality following a sexual encounter with orgasm improves sleep in women using sleep data collected from the Fitbit Versa 3 and self-reported sexual encounters. Methods Sexually healthy women, aged 18 and above, wore Fitbit Versa 3 devices for a duration of 6 weeks. The participants transmitted encrypted and de-identified data through the Fitbit app, ensuring privacy and confidentiality. Weekly online surveys were conducted to record the number, timing, and type of sexual encounters reported by the participants as well as if orgasm was achieved. During sexual encounters, the Fitbit devices measured heart rate, which was normalized to the participants' resting heart rate. Additionally, sleep data including proprietary sleep efficiency scores from the Fitbit devices were collected over the entire study period. Orgasm was self-reported by participants after every sexual encounter. Results A total of 17 sexual encounters were documented within six weeks. 14 representative encounters with full sleep data from the night before, and sleep directly after orgasm were included. For all sexual encounters, sleep data from the Fitbit device for the corresponding night and the previous night were examined. Linear regression analysis was conducted to evaluate any changes in sleep quality during this period. The results revealed a positive trend between improvements in minutes slept (a 54% increase in minutes slept among women with orgasm compared to women without orgasm, R-squared = 0.2434, p = 0.073) as defined by Fitbit with orgasm compared to the night before, respectively. Conclusions The findings of this study suggest a positive correlation between orgasms and improvements in sleep quality, as indicated by increased minutes slept and enhanced sleep efficiency. These results contribute to our understanding of the potential benefits of sexual activity on subsequent sleep. Further research with a larger sample size and controlled variables is warranted to validate and expand upon these findings. These initial findings highlight the potential role of orgasms in promoting better sleep quality, underscoring the importance of considering sexual experiences in the context of overall sleep health. Disclosure No.