#A 38-year-old man suddenly has sex with his wife while sleeping. But when I wake up, I have no memo.. - MK

#A 38-year-old man suddenly has sex with his wife while sleeping. But when I wake up, I have no memory.

#A woman in her 20s rips her clothes and acts self-defense while sleeping. But when I open my eyes, I don't remember anything.

It is a rare case of sleep disorder called "Sexomnia" reported to the medical community.

As a type of event sleep disorder, such as sleepwalking, patients mostly feel shame and misery when they learn of their actions.

There are many cases in which relationships with loved ones are broken.

A perfect treatment has not yet been found, but there are reports that behavioral therapy and drug therapy improve the condition.

On the 28th (local time), CNN highlighted sexual activity during sleep in an article titled "Absurdly Sleeping Disorder" that no one wants to confide in.

"Cognitive function is in a deep sleep, but the body is active," said Dr. Carlos Shenk, a professor and psychiatrist at the University of Minnesota Medical School in the United States.

According to a 2010 study of 1,000 adults in Norway, about 3% were suffering from sexual activity during sleep.

CNN reported that sexual activity during sleep can "destroy lives" in a way that worsens relationships with loved ones.

According to Dr. Shenk's research, a woman who had sex while sleeping returned to consciousness while having sex with her husband in the middle of the night, but she did not remember, so she accused her husband of forcing her to have sex.

In some cases, the relationship broke down by saying another name during sleep.

"The sleeping brain is completely different from the waking brain," Dr. Shenk said. "Since sexual activity patients in sleep are unconscious, we cannot judge that they are telling the truth in their sleep."

There is also a risk of legal punishment. In particular, when sexual activity during sleep showed a violent tendency, the frequency of reaching 'legal conclusions' was high.

In addition, sexual activity during sleep is difficult to treat.

This is because the cause is not clear. Academics believe there are some genetic aspects. In fact, there was a case where parents discovered sexual behavior during their child's sleep and recognized their symptoms.

Dr. Shenk believes that frequent sleep apnea, mainly in men, may awaken the body and lead to sleep sexual activity.

But there is no way to fix it. Doctors combine behavioral therapy with medication.

Professor Munt of Northwestern University in the United States, who published a paper on behavioral therapy in September last year, said, "It is possible to dramatically reduce or eliminate symptoms through behavioral therapy."

Behavior therapy begins with understanding sexual behavior during sleep. Educate the human sleep stage, the difference between vivid dreams and sexual activity during sleep.

"Education itself helps reduce patient anxiety," Munt said, "and when stress is reduced, the condition improves."

He explained that it is helpful to reduce caffeine or alcohol consumption and keep your sleeping time constant.

He also said that bedrooms should be kept cool and clean. Clinical hypnosis is also helpful.

If behavioral therapy alone is insufficient, medication may be necessary. It is said that sexual activity patients during sleep are prescribed drugs used to treat epilepsy or panic disorders.

Professor Munt said, "Some symptoms only partially improve or not at all through behavioral therapy," and added, "At that time, drug treatment may be necessary."