Is It Unhealthy to Not Get Morning Wood?
Research about men’s nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) shows that 80% of men get it at least once in their lifetime. It is also known as ‘morning wood’ which happens after a man wakes up in the mornings and gets a random erection. Many men start to worry and get concerned about their morning wood after it happens weakly or completely stops occurring.
Sleep cycles, health, and hormones are all related to morning wood. There are many reasons that could be causing morning wood to slow down or disappear, and they may or may not be signaling an underlying health issue, so it is important to understand the reasons and why they have changed to know when to act.
Key Takeaways
- Most men get morning wood and it is a completely normal experience
- Lifestyle or health issues can be causing the weak or absent morning wood
- Good sleep, healthy hormones, good mental health, and good circulation are all important
- If it’s completely absent, the issue could be linked to erectile dysfunction
- See a professional to address underlying issues that are possibly present
What Causes Morning Wood?
For a man to experience morning wood, a series of psychological, hormonal, and cardiovascular occurrences during sleep need to take place.
Sleep Cycles
While sleeping, especially in REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, the brain limits the release of norepinephrine due to the absence of the chemical, which normally prevents sleeping erections. Consequently, during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep which occurs repeatedly in a sleep cycle, erections can happen without any sexual desire.
Hormonal Activity
In the early morning, testosterone levels are at their peak. Furthermore, the sleeping related erections are majorly influenced through nerve activation, however, elevated levels of testosterone can improve the quality and rigidity of an erection.
Physical Stimulation
Other physical elements are pressure on the pelvic nerves and bladder fullness, sheets coming into contact with sensitive areas, and covering your body with sheets can all incite an erection during sleep. Interestingly enough, nocturnal erections can offer a temporary solution to the problem of nighttime urination, by making it hard to pee while asleep.
Did you know?
Men have an average of three to five erections during every single REM cycle, not just one. Each instance can be 25 to 35 minutes, which means that they even have the ability to be healthy and erect consciously.
Is it unhealthy to not get morning wood?
It is perfectly natural to miss a morning where an erection occurs. It just means they are happening on a random and irregular basis. Alternatively, if they happen too consistently, it may be a sign of problems regarding sleep patterns, blood flow, hormone levels, and nerve function. The main point here is if the absence is temporary or if it persists.
Possible Reasons Why You’re Not Getting Morning Erections
Many things impact the strength or frequency of morning erections.
Age
Aging is one of the most obvious examples. Though declining testosterone levels are part of the body’s natural aging process, that does mean that morning erections will not become less frequent.
Stress and Mental Health
Stress, anxiety, and chronic mental illness are all factors that are seen to reduce libido and negatively impact sleep patterns. Depressive episodes can have far-reaching impacts, and sleep disturbances can work to compound those impacts.
Poor Sleep Quality
Depressive episodes can have far-reaching impacts, and sleep disturbances can work to compound those impacts. Fewer erections can be the direct result of insufficient quality sleep, as lack of REM sleep equates to less opportunities for nocturnal erections.
Lifestyle Factors
On the lifestyle factors side of issues, there is:
- Smoker’s blood vessels are damaged.
- Alcohol impacts nerve signaling.
- Obesity diminishes circulation.
Other smoking-related issues include
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Nerve damage
Any or all of these factors can contribute to a man’s morning erections disappearing or diminishing.
The Link Between Erectile Dysfunction and Not Getting Morning Erections
Having morning erections is a sign of healthy physical functioning, and sad to say, the absence of ED does not equate to the presence of morning wood.
On the other side of the spectrum, if a man has morning wood regularly, he may have psychological ED.
The absence of morning wood is indicative of the following:
- Poor or infrequent blood flow to the penis
- Nerve-related issues
- Hormonal imbalances
Doctors evaluating a patient for ED typically ask about the presence of morning erections, and for good reason.
The Role of Testosterone in Morning Wood
Understanding Hormone Levels
Testosterone contributes to mood, energy, overall libido, and erectile function. Levels between 300 and 1,000 ng/dL are considered normal, but this varies by person. Low testosterone, or hypogonadism, can lead to reduced or absent morning wood.
Testosterone influences several factors, including:
- Age
- Physical activity
- Levels of body fat
- Diet and sleep
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
Clinically low testosterone in men can lead to Consider using TRT with a doctor to help:
- Heighten libido
- Enhance the strength of erections
- Reinvigorate morning wood
TRT can be in the form of:
- Injections
- Gels
- Patches
Safety and efficiency should be assessed with regular check-ins.
Other Treatments
Testosterone replacement therapy isn’t the only option. Supporting your body’s testosterone levels naturally is often the best first step:
- Consistent exercise and strength training
- A well-rounded diet that has a balance of proteins, good fats, and micronutrients
- Mindfulness practices to manage stress
How Do You Manage Morning Wood If You Are Not Getting Morning Wood?
If there are no morning erections for weeks or months:
- Assess your sleep and stress hygiene
- Enhance diet, exercise, and overall circulation
- Reduce alcohol and smoking
- Look for lags in libido or energy
If all else fails, talk to a doctor about what impacts are causing this issue, this gives you the chance to explore treatment options.
Myths and Misconceptions About Morning Wood
Myths: Morning wood equates to heightened sexual appetite.
Truth: It’s primarily connected to sleeping patterns and neurological stimulation.
Myths: Only young men experience morning wood.
Truth: Morning wood can happen to men at any age.
Myths: Suffering from morning wood means you have ED for life.
Truth: A lot of variables can cause and reset this symptom.
Summary
It is perfectly commonplace and healthy to have days without experiencing morning wood. Having no instances over a prolonged period of time can certainly be indicative of an underlying problem pertaining to sleep, hormones, blood flow, or overall health. Morning wood is a valuable indicator of male sexual health, but must be considered in proper context. It is important to monitor changes in lifestyle, mental well-being, and physical health in order to identify problems that will require assistance from a healthcare professional.