Why does guys get morning wood

Though not routinely performed, the erectile function of the penis can be tested as part of a diagnostic sleep study called a polysomnogram. If you do not wake with an erection, it is not necessarily abnormal. It may be that you did not wake from REM sleep. It is also possible that the erection began to fade prior to waking completely.

For those who frequently wake with a morning erection, rest assured that this is a normal part of sleep. In general, sleep-related erections decrease with age.

This may correlate with impotence that occurs during the daytime. In contrast, the presence of erections in sleep when daytime impotence occurs may suggest non-physiological causes of the difficulty maintaining an erection such as stress or performance anxiety. Interestingly, untreated obstructive sleep apnea may also decrease erections. No matter the cause, if you have problems maintaining an erection, speak with your healthcare provider about treatment options.

Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Molecular pathophysiology of priapism: emerging targets. Curr Drug Targets. Peever J, Fuller PM.

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The erection may go away on its own as a person enters deeper sleep. Thus, a person may have erections several times during the night but may not be aware of them.

In addition, testosterone levels tend to be elevated in the morning. Males have high levels of this hormone, which contributes to sexual function. An erection caused by NPT may be physically different from one caused by arousal. One study found that some men experienced pain when they had NPT, but not when they had typical erections. Males of various ages, from children to older adults, experience NPT. Usually, younger adults, who have the highest levels of testosterone, will experience nocturnal erections more frequently than children or older people.

Young adult males may have NPT every morning and a few times during the night. The peak of sexual maturity generally happens when males are in their late teens to late 30s, and this may correspond with higher testosterone levels. It is normal for people in this age range to experience frequent episodes of NPT. As a person approaches their 40s and 50s, they may notice fewer episodes of NPT.

This often occurs because testosterone levels are naturally declining. However, the episodes should decline gradually, not suddenly. A gradual decline in NPT with age is customary. A hormonal imbalance, especially one that affects the penis and testes, can result in few or no episodes of NPT. This is one reason why having regular erections in the morning is an important indicator of healthy male sexual organs.

One study found that men with hypogonadism, which prevents the sexual organs from fully functioning, experienced an increase in NPT after they had received testosterone therapy. If a person is not getting good sleep and entering the REM cycle, they may not experience nocturnal erections. A study of 61 men with obstructive sleep apnea and ED found that getting better quality sleep resulted in more frequent NPT.

The participants who used continuous positive airway pressure devices had more frequent nocturnal erections than those who did not. Other studies have used NPT as an indicator of hormonal or sexual health, especially when treating ED. For instance, if a person has NPT but cannot get or maintain an erection during sexual activity, doctors can rule out issues such as insufficient blood flow or nerve responses in the penis.

If this is the case, ED may be a psychological issue, and a health professional can treat it accordingly. However, if a person has no nocturnal erections and has trouble getting or keeping erections related to sex, doctors may determine that there is a physical cause of ED. Because NPT is an indicator of quality sleep and the health of sexual organs, it is helpful to pay attention to how often NPT happens. If NPT suddenly stops or is happening much less frequently, speak with a doctor.

Another reason you may wake up with morning wood is testosterone, which is likely to be at its highest level in the morning. According to Ramin, a healthy cis man should expect to get hard three to five times per night. Morning wood is also a sign that the pesky erectile dysfunction you may be experiencing is psychological, not physiological.

However, depression and anxiety can actually led to parasympathetic nerve malfunction, affecting both your daytime and nighttime boners. Though morning wood serves no specific function, it might be the best indication that your penis is functioning properly. If you're getting morning wood, it's a good thing! It means you have a health penis.

Nevertheless, a lot of people have this question, because let's face it: It can be awkward to wake up next to someone—especially someone you don't know super well—and have to hide your raging erection.

The real question you should be asking is: How do I make my erection go away? Distracting yourself, taking a cold shower, and meditating can all help, according to Healthline. For more tips, we asked people for tips on how to stop being horny, fast, and here's what they had to say.