There’s no shortage of slang terms for the biological response known as “nocturnal penile tumescence.” There’s everything from morning wood to pitching a tent to getting a visit from the boner fairy and more. But what causes men to wake up with an erect member? Is it only a sexy dream that causes this undercover stirring or is there something more to it? This extremely common morning present is actually a good sign. Read on to learn more about why men get erections during sleep.

The Biology of Nighttime Boners

Let’s start with how waking erections work. When a man experiences stimulation in his parasympathetic nervous system it causes the release of neurotransmitters. Next, the arteries in the penis dilate causing more flood to flow to the penis, causing it to swell and get hard resulting in an erection. So, what causes this stimulation? It could be a touch, smell, or seeing something sexy.

Now during sleep, there’s an uptick in the activity of the parasympathetic system naturally. It relaxes the muscles, slows the heart rate, and pushes the brain into a deeper dream state, known as REM. This can create a nocturnal erection.

Many men will have several in an evening, but only see the one they wake up to. Testosterone is also at its top level in the morning which can also influence the frequency of morning wood.

The Bladder Connection

There is some suggestion that a morning erection is also a way for the bladder to wave the red flag to let a man know the tank is full and he needs to drain the main vein! However, there is also something to the fact that a full bladder can stimulate nerves in the spine which create an erection.

Are Morning Erections Good or Bad?

A morning erection is actually an indicator of good health. They are generally most prevalent in adolescence (think of all that testosterone surging around the body) and tend to taper off over time.

In some specialized cases, as with diabetics, lack of morning wood may be a sign of ED or nerve or blood supply issues. Men who take medications for ED might see more morning erections than they had before taking medication.

Dealing with a Morning Erection

There are, of course, lots of ways to deal with a morning erection. Here are a few of the most common:

– Urinate. Most men find that their erections subside after taking a nice, leisurely wizz in the bathroom.

– Have sex. Start the morning off right with a little morning sex. Since testosterone is at its height and the body just finished several hours of rest and repair, morning sex can be quite vigorous and satisfying.

– Self-love. Grab some lube and get to stroking. A dose of feel-good chemicals upon orgasm is a wonderful way to start the day. After cleaning up, head to the kitchen for some Wheaties and there’ll be no stopping you!

Penile Health: The Key to Strong Erections

Want more morning erections or just stronger erections in general? Heart health is a major boner contributor, so follow all the guidelines for heart health. Get regular daily exercise, manage stress, have meaningful relationships with others, eat a healthy diet, avoid smoking, and good to the doctor for regular checkups.

Also, be sure to keep the penis clean. Bacteria and infection love a warm, moist place so it’s important to safeguard health by washing the penis daily with warm water and a mild cleanser free of additives and harsh chemicals. Rinse well and pat dry with a soft towel. To finish off, moisturize the member with a specially formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin). Choose a cream with lots of vitamins like A, B, C, and D to promote penile health and a natural moisturizer that will soften the penis without unpronounceable ingredients.