What happens during sleep?
When men sleep, their bodies go through different stages. One of these stages is called Rapid Eye Moment (REM) sleep, during which the brain is very active, and dreams happen. During this time, men often get erections. These erections are not because of sexual dreams or feelings but are a natural part of sleep.
Is it normal?
Yes, it is a normal phenomenon and there is nothing to worry about. It is common for a healthy man to have 3 to 5 erections in one night while sleeping. Men of all ages, from 18 years and older, can have these nighttime erections. Research shows that this is a normal occurrence for men throughout their lives.
Why do they happen?
- Penile health: Nighttime erections help maintain the health of penile tissues by ensuring proper blood flow. This keeps the tissues oxygenated, flexible, and healthy.
- Erectile function check: It's believed that these erections are the body's way of checking its erectile function. It's like a regular health check-up that happens automatically during sleep.
- Testosterone levels: Testosterone levels are highest in the morning, which is why men often wake up with an erection. However, nighttime erections can occur regardless of testosterone levels, suggesting other factors are at play.
Healthy penis sign
Regular nighttime erections are a sign that a man's sexual health is good. Doctors sometimes use a test called Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT) to monitor these erections and assess erectile function. The absence of nighttime erections could indicate underlying health issues, such as hormonal imbalances, nerve damage, or circulatory problems.
Common myths
Some people think that nighttime erections are always because of sexual dreams, but this is not true. They are a normal part of sleep. Also, just because a man does not remember having an erection does not mean it did not happen. Most men do not remember their nighttime erections.
To protect the identity, the person in the picture is a model and names have been changed.
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