ONE in ten people get frisky in their sleep owing to “sexsomnia”, a study has shown.
The disorder, where dozers engage in sexual activity, was said to be more common than previously thought.
Of 1,002 people surveyed, 11 per cent said it had happened at least once, with six per cent experiencing some sexy shut-eye in the past three months.
Acts of self-love were most common, with five per cent of people touching themselves.
Groping a partner was next, for four per cent, while full-blown intercourse was rarest, at less than two per cent.
People might also have “spontaneous orgasms” or make “sexual vocalisations” in the night, according to researchers at Norway’s University of Bergen.
Men were more likely to be sexsomniacs than women.
It typically happens in the first hour after falling asleep, while stress and tiredness are said to increase the chances.
The study authors said: “Sexsomnia seems to be more prevalent than previously assumed.
“Our results suggest a considerable amount of the general population reportedly experience it.
“Sometimes the behaviour during sexsomnia deviates from waking sexual behaviour, where some become more gentle and passionate, whereas others act more aggressively and even violently towards their partner.”
A sexsomnia defence has derailed several rape and sex assault cases in court.
