Who can forget Steve Carrell in The Forty-Year-Old Virgin waking up and trying to manage a very rigid and ready morning penis? While it gets a lot of laughs and guys nod at the reality of the situation, it’s actually a really important bodily function. In fact, if a man isn’t regularly waking up with a woody, he may need to book some quality time with his doctor or urologist. Waking up with post-sleep erection is a very clear sign of a healthy penis.

Erections in a Nutshell

To understand sleep erections, it’s important to first know how the “intentional” erection works. It all begins when a man experiences some sort of excitement or stimulation. It could be a touch, a thought, a beautiful potential partner walking by, or even just brushing against something. This stimulation causes his parasympathetic nervous system to release neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are little messengers and they tell the arteries in the penis to dilate so more blood can flow to the penis. All that blood flow causes the penis to get hard, and BOOM – erection. Simple enough, right?

What Causes Erections During Sleep?

So, the big question about sleep erections is really, what sets them off? Is it only sensual dreams or rubbing against a blanket that can cause them? That could happen, of course, but it’s usually more biological than sensual.

When people sleep, activity in the parasympathetic systems goes up a bit. This slows the heart rate, relaxes the muscles, and ushers the brain into REM, the deepest sleep state. This creates sleep erections. It’s quite common for men to have many erections during sleep, some say three to five is the average range. However, usually, men are aware only of the last one, when they wake up.

There are also some other reasons for morning wood. Testosterone is at its highest during the morning and can cause a boner. Knowing that, it’s no wonder many men wake up wanting morning activities because they are at their most vigorous and virile. Some people also believe that sleep erections are caused by a full bladder. The fullness stimulates the nerves in the spine, which can create an erection.

So, what to do with a sleep erection? Go pee, self-love it, or if a partner is present, maybe start a little gentle foreplay to see if a little morning intimacy is possible (just because a boner is present, it doesn’t mean everyone wants to enjoy it). For a little silly fun, some men like to see how much they can hang on it. Washcloth, hand towel, flannel shirt, etc. One thing a man should do with a sleep erection is appreciate it because it means his penis is in good health.

Penis Health Tips to Keep Having Strong Sleep Erections

Having a healthy lifestyle is the number one way to keep having hard-ons naturally throughout life. Here are a few tips to keep your boner up and ready:

1) Get daily cardiovascular exercise – work that heart muscle because it fuels the man muscle below.

2) Eat a healthy diet with a wide range of vegetables, fruit, protein, and heart-healthy fats.

3) Lose weight if needed – it helps blood flow.

4) Quit smoking. Smoking shrinks and damages the arteries and nerves that make hard-ons possible. It’s also just not good for anyone’s overall health.

5) Manage stress to increase the ability of blood to flow where it needs to go.

6) Engage in a thorough hygiene ritual daily. Cleanse the penis daily with warm water and a mild cleanser devoid of additives and harsh chemicals – a natural baby wash is a great option. Rinse well and pat dry with a soft towel. To seal the deal, massage the penis with a specially formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin). Crèmes that contain vitamins like A, B, C, and D to promote penis health and a natural moisturizer to keep this delicate skin soft and supple are good choices.