Sleep well to enhance sexual pleasure

A good night's sleep not only refreshes you for the day but also gives you an extra edge between the sheets.

David Kalmbach from the University of Michigan Medical School has found that each additional hour of sleep increased the likelihood of sexual activity with a partner by 14 percent.

"If you are having problems in the bedroom, one of the things to think about is are you getting enough sleep," he asked in a paper that appeared in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

In a study of 171 women, those who obtained more sleep on a given night, experienced greater sexual desire the next day.

Sleep was also important for genital arousal, such that women who slept longer on average experienced fewer problems with vaginal arousal than women who obtained less sleep.

"The influence of sleep on sexual desire and arousal has received little attention in the field, but these findings indicate that insufficient sleep can decrease sexual desire and arousal for women," Kalmbach said.

Kalmbach said his findings covered well-rested women over time.

On any given night, however, women who were tired ended up being more aroused the next day.

But eventually, it catches up to them and their desire drops.

"I think the take-home message should not be that more sleep is better, but that it is important to allow ourselves to obtain the sleep that our mind and body needs," he said.