Should I get a morning erection every morning?

Morning erection is an indicator of a man's sexual health. Is its absence a sign of erectile dysfunction?

What is a morning erection?

Morning erection is a colloquial term commonly used to describe what is known as nocturnal penis swelling (NNP). In fact, the expression "morning" is not quite correct, since spontaneous erections of the penis actually occur at night. These sleep-related erections occur at least three to five times during a sleep period in all healthy men. A similar phenomenon is also noted in women and is known as nocturnal clitoral swelling.

Spontaneous natural erections are also noted in the early hours of wakefulness, in the people they are called "morning erection". When men wake up at different stages of natural sleep, each person's awareness of the frequency and degree of morning penile tension is different.

The natural meaning of the morning erection

Morning erections are common in the animal kingdom, especially among mammals. The observation of such manifestations of the body associated with rest is noted even in the human fetus in the womb.

The exact physiological purpose of NNP is unknown. Sympathetic noradrenaline neurons are supposed to be responsible for the suppression of spontaneous erections during the daytime (and that's great!). The inactivity of such inhibitory neurons in the brain during REM sleep allows relaxation and induces excitatory erections stimulated by testosterone. It is believed that regularly repeated nocturnal swelling of the penis helps to strengthen the neuro-vascular system of the penis.

The frequency and extent of morning erections is greatest in youth, and the intensity and regularity decrease in old age. Between the ages of 40 and 50, natural testosterone levels begin to decline, however, men may well have a “morning boner” while maintaining sexual activity.

Negative factors affecting the process

Disturbances and lack of morning erection are more pronounced in men with diseases: dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Stress and tension in a relationship can also affect sexual desire and frequency of spontaneous erections.

A man, faced with anxiety, experiences an increase in the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which is programmed by nature to solve problems. When the nervous system is overloaded for a long time, the person becomes agitated and quick-tempered. This can present with symptoms of depression such as insomnia, fatigue, lack of sexual appetite, and erectile dysfunction.

A regular Morning erection is actually a reflection of a man's sexual and mental health. Conversely, the lack of a "morning boner" inevitably leads to insecurity that negatively affects potency, and can also be a sign of erectile dysfunction.

Methods for measuring nocturnal erection

The existence of nocturnal erections helps doctors determine the cause of sexual dysfunction. The device that controls the NNP is placed on the penis, sensors on the head and base of the penis record changes in its length and girth during sleep and transmit information for computer analysis.

While it may seem a little funny and strange, the postage stamp test can also be used to evaluate nocturnal erections. Several untorn postage stamps, connected by perforation, are loosely pasted around the shaft of a flaccid penis at bedtime. If on awakening there is a rupture of perforated joints, then the presence of nocturnal swelling of the penis is obvious. The method is truly simple, but effective.

Evaluation of measurement results

According to the results of the study, an important conclusion can be drawn: if night and morning erections are observed, then the cause of erectile dysfunction is determined as psychological, otherwise it is considered physiological.