{"id":8008,"date":"2024-10-09T13:07:47","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T13:07:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/go.simpleonlinepharmacy.co.uk\/uncategorized\/https-www-simpleonlinepharmacy-co-uk-health-advice-why-do-men-get-morning-wood\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T16:48:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T16:48:08","slug":"why-do-men-get-morning-wood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simpleonlinepharmacy.co.uk\/health-advice\/erectile-dysfunction\/why-do-men-get-morning-wood\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Men Get Morning Wood?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Morning wood is just one slang term for the erections men wake up with. The official medical term for these erections is ‘nocturnal penile tumescence.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever you call it, morning wood is a misunderstood phenomenon. So, in this blog, we explain everything you need to know about morning erections. Including what causes them, and how changes in frequency might indicate erectile dysfunction (ED)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Causes Erections?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An erection is a response to a combination of factors involving the nervous system and the endocrine system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When sexually aroused, the brain sends chemical messages to the nerve endings in the penis. This in turn causes blood to flow into the penis. Muscles in the penis then contract to trap the blood, which results in an erection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Causes Morning Erections?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Morning wood is most likely caused by a number of factors. But here are two theories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Physical stimulation from a partner (which could be accidental) may cause an erection<\/a>, even if your eyes are closed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    1. Hormones may also play a part. Testosterone levels are at their highest in the body immediately after waking from the REM stage of sleep. This may be enough to cause an erection, despite there being no visual or physical stimulation. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      One argument that supports this is that natural levels of testosterone begin to drop in men aged 40-50 years. At the same age, the incidence of nocturnal penile tumescence starts to decrease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What Causes Erections While We Sleep?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      It\u2019s not clearly understood what causes a man to have erections during sleep. However, erections occur during the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep. So it\u2019s thought that increased activity of the parasympathetic system during REM<\/a> sleep may be involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Typically, the last period of REM happens before you wake up, which might be why men will often wake up with an erection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      There\u2019s also a theory that the body releases hormones to suppress erections when men are awake. The brain \u2018relaxes\u2019 at night and releases less of those suppressive hormones, which allows the erections to occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Some also think nighttime erections have a function: to keep the erectile tissue in good shape and make sure your erectile function stays healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      They may also indicate that the bladder is full. The fact that an erection will subside as soon as you empty your bladder strengthens this argument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Despite these theories, the only thing that we are sure of is that nighttime erections happen when erectile function is healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Are Morning and Nighttime Erections Normal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Morning and nighttime erections are a normal part of male life and a frequent occurrence for adult men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Although male babies can have erections, morning erections tend to occur with increasing size, rigidity and frequency as puberty progresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What Are The Signs of Erectile Dysfunction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      The absence of morning erections can be a sign of ED. Although it\u2019s important to take into account that frequency of morning erections decreases as men get older. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      And ED can be an early indicator of an underlying disease such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes. So a lack of \u2018dawn horns\u2019 may suggest that it\u2019s time to visit the doctor for a check-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Other causes of ED include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n