Morning wood is also known as Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT).
It is a common and often misunderstood physiological phenomenon occurring in men of all ages.
Morning wood is the naturally occurring erection that men experience during sleep or when they wake up.
Even though morning wood may seem strange, it is a normal and healthy part of a man’s sexual system.
In this article, we’ll examine why do men get morning wood and explain the science behind this interesting phenomenon.
The connection between sleep and morning wood
The body’s natural sleep patterns play a big part in forming the link between sleep and morning wood.
Men go through different stages of sleep at night, such as rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep.
Because of these sleep cycles, hormones change, and testosterone levels are high in the morning.
During REM sleep, there is more blood flow and oxygen to the penile area, causing the penis to erect. This phenomenon is called “morning wood.”
This link shows how important sleep is for controlling a man’s sexual health and how NPT is a normal, healthy process of a man’s body.
Factors affecting morning wood
Source: alessandrobiascioliSeveral factors can affect your morning wood.
These factors include how your hormones change, psychological factors, age, and health conditions.
Let us look at each of these factors to understand their impact better.
Hormonal changes
Testosterone is the male sex hormone crucial for developing and maintaining several sexual functions in men.
Testosterone levels are higher in the morning, which can cause morning wood.
During REM sleep, the body’s blood flow and oxygen supply to different tissues, including the genital area, are boosted.
This increased blood flow can cause penile swelling, leading to an erection.
| REM Sleep (Rapid Eye Movement): During REM sleep, the eyes rapidly move in various directions, and this is the time when dreams can happen. Most of the time, REM sleep starts about 90 minutes after you fall asleep. |
Psychological factors
In addition to physical factors, several psychological factors can cause morning wood.
Both conscious and unconscious sexual arousal can cause your body to release hormones like dopamine, leading to a penile erection.
Men often have a sexually exciting dream and wake up with an erection.
Age
Age is another factor affecting your morning wood’s frequency and intensity.
Even though morning wood is common in men of all ages, it is most common in teenagers and men in their early adulthood.
This is because testosterone levels are quite high in this age group; therefore, their morning wood frequency and intensity are also high.
As men age, their testosterone levels decrease, making it harder to get an erection in the morning.
But even in older guys, morning wood is a healthy and normal thing occasionally.
Health condition
Surprisingly, a man’s morning wood can show how well their general health is.
Consistent occurrences of morning wood are often seen as signs of a healthy cardiovascular system.
Erectile Dysfunction or a lack of morning wood can be a symptom of underlying health issues such as Diabetes, Hypertension, or hormonal imbalances.
Suppose you experience a persistent lack of morning wood. In that case, it is better to consult a doctor and rule out potential health concerns.
Conclusion
Now if you are wondering”Why do men get morning wood?
It is because sleep, hormones, psychology, age, and health affect this natural process.
Morning wood, also called Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT), is a normal but often misunderstood physiological process of the male body.
The connection between sleep cycles, especially the REM phase, and higher testosterone levels in the morning helps explain this phenomenon.
It happens more often in younger guys because they have more testosterone.
A healthy intensity of morning wood may indicate heart health. In contrast, its lack may indicate health issues that need medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does morning wood happen?
Morning wood occurs due to the link between sleep cycles and hormones. During the REM sleep phase, increased blood flow to the genital area, boosted by higher testosterone levels, leads to penile erection.
Is morning wood normal?
Yes, morning is a normal physiological process due to the high testosterone levels. Lack of morning wood is often considered a sign of some underlying health issue; therefore, it is good to experience it.
Does a full bladder cause morning wood?
A full bladder may indirectly contribute to morning wood by stimulating nerve reflexes and increasing blood pressure. However, the main cause of morning wood is still the link between sleep cycles and hormonal factors, rather than solely a full bladder.
What factors affect the morning wood?
Factors such as age, health history, hormonal changes, and psychological factors all affect the occurrence of morning wood.
Can morning wood occur in men of all ages, or is it more common in certain age groups?
Morning wood, or nocturnal penile tumescence, can occur in men of all ages. It’s most frequent during adolescence and early adulthood due to higher testosterone levels. Still, even older men can experience it occasionally.
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