Why Men Get Erections During Sleep: Morning Wood Gets Demystified

There’s no shortage of slang terms for the biological response known as “nocturnal penile tumescence.” There’s everything from morning wood to pitching a tent to getting a visit from the boner fairy and more. But what causes men to wake up with an erect member? Is it only a sexy dream that causes this undercover stirring or is there something more to it? This extremely common morning present is actually a good sign. Read on to learn more about why men get erections during sleep.

The Biology of Nighttime Boners

Let’s start with how waking erections work. When a man experiences stimulation in his parasympathetic nervous system it causes the release of neurotransmitters. Next, the arteries in the penis dilate causing more flood to flow to the penis, causing it to swell and get hard resulting in an erection. So, what causes this stimulation? It could be a touch, smell, or seeing something sexy.

Now during sleep, there’s an uptick in the activity of the parasympathetic system naturally. It relaxes the muscles, slows the heart rate, and pushes the brain into a deeper dream state, known as REM. This can create a nocturnal erection.

Many men will have several in an evening, but only see the one they wake up to. Testosterone is also at its top level in the morning which can also influence the frequency of morning wood.

The Bladder Connection

There is some suggestion that a morning erection is also a way for the bladder to wave the red flag to let a man know the tank is full and he needs to drain the main vein! However, there is also something to the fact that a full bladder can stimulate nerves in the spine which create an erection.

Are Morning Erections Good or Bad?

A morning erection is actually an indicator of good health. They are generally most prevalent in adolescence (think of all that testosterone surging around the body) and tend to taper off over time.

In some specialized cases, as with diabetics, lack of morning wood may be a sign of ED or nerve or blood supply issues. Men who take medications for ED might see more morning erections than they had before taking medication.

Dealing with a Morning Erection

There are, of course, lots of ways to deal with a morning erection. Here are a few of the most common:

- Urinate. Most men find that their erections subside after taking a nice, leisurely wizz in the bathroom.

- Have sex. Start the morning off right with a little morning sex. Since testosterone is at its height and the body just finished several hours of rest and repair, morning sex can be quite vigorous and satisfying.

- Self-love. Grab some lube and get to stroking. A dose of feel-good chemicals upon orgasm is a wonderful way to start the day. After cleaning up, head to the kitchen for some Wheaties and there’ll be no stopping you!

Penile Health: The Key to Strong Erections

Want more morning erections or just stronger erections in general? Heart health is a major boner contributor, so follow all the guidelines for heart health. Get regular daily exercise, manage stress, have meaningful relationships with others, eat a healthy diet, avoid smoking, and good to the doctor for regular checkups.

Also, be sure to keep the penis clean. Bacteria and infection love a warm, moist place so it’s important to safeguard health by washing the penis daily with warm water and a mild cleanser free of additives and harsh chemicals. Rinse well and pat dry with a soft towel. To finish off, moisturize the member with a specially formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin). Choose a cream with lots of vitamins like A, B, C, and D to promote penile health and a natural moisturizer that will soften the penis without unpronounceable ingredients.

The Morning Erection Explained - What a Wake-up Woody Means for Men's Health

While most men do not love waking up with a stiff neck or back, very few men complain when they wake up with a different body part that is stiff. Commonly known as "morning wood," it is perfectly normal for men - including young men just reaching sexual maturity - to wake up with a rocking erection first thing in the AM. Learn more about this usually welcome phenomenon and what it means for penis health if it starts to go away.

Is morning wood normal?
Most men wake up to find they are "popping a tent" in their pants, a phenomenon that is a completely normal part of a man’s sexuality. In fact, it is a very good sign that indicates everything is working the way it should be. Most men have multiple erections throughout the night (3-5 or more), each of which can last for half an hour or longer. While most erections in the daytime arise from exposure to something stimulating - either visually, mentally, or physically - a night time erection does not necessarily mean a guy is dreaming about or imagining sex - though he very well could be.

What causes this early morning hello?
There are a few things that may be to blame (or to thank) for a morning erection. A full bladder is one of them. When the bladder becomes overfull, as it tends to during the night, the urine makes its way up the urethra, which causes engorgement and an erection. Though this may help wake the man up to void his bladder, this may be easier said than done with a full-on hard-on. A strong morning boner is also associated with certain sleep cycles and is more likely to occur when a man is in active or REM sleep - which occurs several times a night, as well as just before waking in the morning - though men do have erections outside of REM sleep. Medications for erectile dysfunction are also commonly associated with morning wood and could be the culprit, though many men experience them without medication.

What happens when the morning wood stops?
For a man who has woken up every day since his teens with an erection, the absence of one may seem like a reason to dial 911. However, a missing stiffy does not necessarily indicate a serious problem. Studies have found that it is perfectly normal for both the quality and number of erections to gradually change over a man’s lifespan. This shift is most likely associated with the natural decrease of testosterone that comes as a man ages. Obviously, a young man of 20 has a great deal more testosterone in his body than a man of 60 - so it stands to reason that his manhood may also be standing a little firmer and more frequently as well. However, if there is a sudden drop off or dramatic change in one’s erection quality, quantity, or duration - morning or otherwise - it is wise for a man to get checked out to ensure there is not a more serious problem going on, such as blood pressure issues or diabetes. A man’s penis health is an indication to how his body in general is doing, so it is always good to keep the doctor in the loop as changes progress - particularly if they are sudden.

Keeping strong erections
In some cases, there is little a man can do to bring back a waning wanger; it may just be a sad side effect of aging. After a medical exam, a doctor may recommend testosterone supplements or other treatments to restore his penis to its full glory. Though it may be embarrassing, a man needs to speak up if he feels something is wrong. However, there are some things a man can take into his own hands, including adding a penis health cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) to his daily regimen. A formula containing vital nutrients such as L-Arginine -- which allows for increased circulation to the manhood to help sustain erectile health -- and alpha lipoic acid to fight the signs of penis aging - is preferred. Simply apply after the shower and enjoy the effects of a healthier, more youthful manhood.