I can’t stop pleasuring myself in my sleep and it’s driving my boyfriend crazy

DEAR DEIDRE: I CAN’T stop pleasuring myself in my sleep and it’s driving my boyfriend crazy. I’m 29 and he’s 31. We’ve been together for four years. Our relationship was fine until three weeks ago. I woke up with my pyjama trousers pulled down. When I asked my boyfriend, he explained that I must have […]

DEAR DEIDRE: I CAN’T stop pleasuring myself in my sleep and it’s driving my boyfriend crazy.

I’m 29 and he’s 31. We’ve been together for four years.

Our relationship was fine until three weeks ago.

I woke up with my pyjama trousers pulled down.

When I asked my boyfriend, he explained that I must have done it when I was touching myself in my sleep.

Apparently, my moaning woke him up.

It’s happened five times since, but I never remember doing it. It’s so embarrassing.

It’s even starting to cause problems in our relationship.

Recently work has got really busy and I’ve been so stressed that I’ve been turning down having sex with him. I’m just too tired.

But I don’t think he believes me any more when he feels me masturbating at night.

I’m so confused and don’t know what’s wrong with me.

DEIDRE SAYS: It sounds like you’re suffering from sexsomnia. But try not to worry, as there is help available.

Treatment often involves finding out what may be triggering the behaviour, for instance stress and fatigue.

Make an appointment with your GP and explain what’s been happening.

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Your doctor may refer you to a sleep clinic through the NHS, or you may want to pay for a private clinic like The London Sleep Centre (londonsleepcentre.com, 020 7725 0523).

It might help to bring your partner along to your appointments so he can see what’s going on too.