Why do morning wood occur

Morning erections typically subside soon after you wake up. Why do men get morning erections? At what age is it normal to start getting them? And is it ever a cause for concern? A urologist answers five key questions. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Related Articles. Pay attention to how often you experience morning wood and if it stops, speak with your doctor. Keep reading: Erectile dysfunction in young men: causes and treatments ».

An erection self-test is a procedure a man can do by himself to determine if the cause of his erectile dysfunction is physical or psychological. Debunk myths about masturbation and erectile dysfunction and learn more about causes and treatments for ED.

There are many natural ways to boost your libido, such as eating aphrodisiacs and sleeping more. Discover other foods and lifestyle habits you should…. Learn what causes blue balls and when testicular pain may be a sign of something more serious.

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Causes Who gets morning wood? What if morning wood ceases? When to see a doctor Takeaway We include products we think are useful for our readers. What does this mean? What causes morning wood? Who gets morning wood? What does it mean if you stop getting morning wood?

When to see a doctor. The bottom line. Read this next. Erection Self-Test. Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. Can Masturbation Cause Erectile Dysfunction? Medically reviewed by Timothy J. 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. They may wish to discuss possible health conditions, such as sleep disorders, hormonal imbalances, anxiety , and ED.

This condition can indicate serious health issues, such as heart disease , high blood pressure , or diabetes , especially in younger males. A health professional can help treat these conditions, including ED.

Certain medications, such as antidepressants , can make it more difficult for a person to get or maintain an erection. They may also cause a decrease or sudden stop in NPT. Some of these medications include:. If a person has recently started a new medication and notices changes in the frequency of NPT, they may wish to speak with their doctor. Sometimes, the doctor can prescribe a different medication to help address this side effect.

Seek emergency medical help for an erection that does not go away after 4 hours. If this occurs, it can cause tissue damage in the penis and problems with sexual function. A person should talk with their doctor if they notice a sudden change in the frequency of nighttime erections.

This can ensure that a person receives prompt treatment for any underlying health conditions. Learn more about this symptom here. Erections, or boners, can happen at any time and without stimulation.

Males of all ages can experience random erections, often first thing in the…. Having several erections a day is healthy for many men, but there are some situations in which a man may not wish to be erect. Learn more. There are many myths and misconceptions about masturbation, including that it may cause erectile dysfunction.