Morning wood, also known as Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT), is common among men.
It refers to an erection spontaneously in the early morning, usually just before or during awakening.
Some guys, however, may discover that their erection disappears as soon as they go to the restroom to urinate.
This article delves into why does morning wood go away when you urinate.
Why does morning wood disappear after urination
Erections in the morning or Morning wood is perfectly healthy and natural.
It is also called Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT), occurs in men during REM sleep due to increased penis blood flow.
The urinary sphincter relaxes as males get up and prepare to urinate due to the parasympathetic nervous system, which causes erections.
As a result, blood flow to the penile area decreases as it diverts to the urinary system.
Furthermore, after the erection, the body enters a refractory period in which it is briefly unable to achieve another erection.
Morning wood disappears after urination due to diminished blood flow and the refractory period.
This natural process is a typical part of male erection and sexual health.
Also Read: Have Morning Wood But Still Have ED? Understanding the Connection
The physiological mechanism behind morning wood
Before we get into why morning wood dissipates during urination, we need to understand why it happens in the first place.
Men go through various stages throughout a typical sleep cycle, including REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep and NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.
The body goes through several physiological changes during these stages, including increased blood flow to the penile area.
Thus, during REM sleep, the parasympathetic nervous system becomes more active, causing greater blood flow to the penis.
This increased blood flow and decreased sympathetic nervous system activity result in erections when sleeping.
During this time, the levels of testosterone are also at their highest in the morning, which contributes to the prevalence of morning wood.
As mentioned, morning wood is natural and healthy, often indicating reproductive system and cardiovascular health.
Conclusion
The phenomenon of morning wood, also known as Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT), is a common occurrence among men during REM sleep.
The physiological mechanism behind morning wood involves a complex interplay between the nervous, vascular, and hormonal systems.
As men wake up and prepare to urinate, the parasympathetic nervous system relaxes the urinary sphincter.
This diverts the blood flow away from the genital area, causing the erection to go away.
Additionally, the body enters a refractory period, preventing immediate re-erection.
Thus, the question ‘Why Does Morning Wood Go Away When You Urinate?’ can be explained by reduced blood flow and the refractory period.
These are natural and healthy aspects of male physiology.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does a full bladder cause morning wood?
Yes, when the bladder is full, it can cause morning wood or Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT) because the pressure on the nerves, including the sacral nerve, causes an erection in men during sleep, especially in the morning.
What does it mean if I have morning wood every day?
If you have morning wood daily, it usually means that your body’s hormonal levels, especially testosterone, and overall sexual health are functioning appropriately. It is a sign that the blood flow to the penis works well and that your nervous system is performing as expected.
Why does morning wood go away when I urinate in the morning?
As men wake up and prepare to urinate, the parasympathetic nervous system relaxes the urinary sphincter. This diverts the blood flow away from the genital area, causing the erection to go away.
Can frequent morning urination be a sign of an underlying health issue?
Yes, frequent morning urination can indicate an underlying health issue or a normal response based on lifestyle, habits, and potential reasons like UTIs, Diabetes, etc
Is the disappearance of morning wood after urination a cause for concern?
Men may not always experience morning wood after urination, and that’s usually okay. It differs from person to person depending on age, health, hormones, stress, and sexual arousal.
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