This article was reviewed by Kelly Brown MD, MBA
Unlike morning breath and bedhead, you might not mind waking up with an arousal. But why do guys get morning arousals? And what do morning arousal say about your health?
Despite what you might think, morning arousals isn’t usually the result of steamy dreams. While some thoughts or physical stimulation might trigger, morning arousals are your body’s way of signaling your cardiovascular system is in good shape and your testosterone levels are right where they should be.
But if you’re suddenly waking up every day with no morning arousals, it’s worth checking in with a doctor. It could be a sign of a serious health issue, like heart disease.
In this article, we’ll answer all your pressing questions about morning arousals, like, Why do men get morning arousals?, What do morning arousals say about your health?, and lastly, What happens if morning arousals stops?
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Morning Arousals Meaning
Morning arousals, or morning glory if you’re in the UK, is an easy-to-remember, colloquial phrase for the medical term (NPT). If you get nocturnal arousals (or sleep-related arousals), there’s a good chance that you’ll wake up from time to time with morning arousals.
Though “morning arousals” is a popular term, it’s a bit misleading. Many guys wake up with an arousal, but it’s typical to have several during the night, too.
In fact, according to the International Society for Medicine, most men will get between three and five arousals during sleep on a typical 8-hour night.
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Why Do Men Wake Up With Morning Arousals?
Morning arousals are perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. While the exact reasons for these morning arousals are still a bit of a mystery, experts agree they indicate healthy arousal function and good blood flow to your privates.
Arousals during sleep are all about your parasympathetic nervous system doing its thing. This bodily system regulates rest, relaxation, and arousal. It’s the opposite of your sympathetic nervous system, which controls your fight-or-flight response.
During rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, your sympathetic nervous system takes a backseat, allowing your pathways to take over. This means more blood flow to your privates, causing them to swell, resulting in a nocturnal arousal.
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Other Possibilities for What Causes Morning Arousals
Nocturnal arousals come and go throughout the night, often aligning with certain sleep stages when your body goes through physiological changes.
Alongside nervous system activation, shifts in neurotransmitter levels and hormones play a role too.
Here are some other theories about why nighttime erections occur:
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Testosterone fluctuations. Testosterone helps regulate the release of nitric oxide in the privates parts and the central nervous system, influencing sleep-related arousals.
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Full bladder. A full bladder can press on your sacral nerve, triggering a sleep arousals.
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Neurotransmitters. Your brain releases feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine during sleep, which may trigger nocturnal arousals. Studies also suggest that the release of acetylcholine during REM sleep may contribute to painful arousals, especially in people with sleep apnea.
Despite these theories, experts aren’t really sure what gives men morning (and sleeping) wood. What is clear? If morning arousals stop showing up, it’s a sign something’s not right.What Does it Mean if You Stop Getting Morning Arousals?
Just like waking up with morning arousals are normal, it’s also perfectly normal to sometimes wake up without an arousal.
But, if you consistently wake up without an arousal or notice a sudden drop in nighttime or morning arousals, it might signal an underlying health issue like ED
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ED can stem from several causes, including physical issues like:
- Heart and blood vessel disease
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Low testosterone (less than 200 ng/dL)
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Atherosclerosis (clogged arteries)
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Hypertension (high blood pressure)
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Injuries to your privates and surrounding area
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Complications from surgery
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Chronic kidney disease
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Type 2 diabetes
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Multiple sclerosis
The following prescription drugs might also contribute to ED and affect nighttime arousals:
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Antiandrogens
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Antidepressants
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Blood pressure medications
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Tranquilizers
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Ulcer medications
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Appetite suppressants
ED can also develop as a result of psychological issues, such as anxiety about intimacy, depression, chronic stress, and low self-esteem.
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What to Do if You Have No Morning Wood
Morning arousals aren’t like breakfast. You don’t need it to start your day. But if you often wake up without arousal, though, it might be time to chat with a urologist or other healthcare professional. They can help find solutions, like medications and lifestyle changes. Here’s what that might look like.
Treat Underlying Causes
No morning arousals at all? It might be a sign of a severe case of ED. The first step? Uncover and address underlying causes with the help of a healthcare professional. They’ll likely run tests, possibly including blood work, to rule out health issues like diabetes or high cholesterol.
They might even suggest a nocturnal privates tumescence test, which monitors how many arousals you get while you sleep.
Addressing these underlying causes is crucial — not just for your arousals, but for your overall health.
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Medications
ED is treatable, and often, medications can help. Sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and avanafil (Stendra) are popular choices that can restore your intimate function.
These drugs, known as PDE5 inhibitors, increase blood flow to your privates, making it easier to achieve an arousal when aroused. You’ll still need to get in the mood, but these medications help set the stage.
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Lifestyle Changes
Simple changes to your habits and lifestyle can improve your intimate health and make it easier to get an arousal anytime. Here’s what to try:
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Get active. Even a small amount of daily exercise can noticeably impact your heart health and ability to maintain an arousal. Try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week.
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Maintain a healthy body weight. Obesity is a major risk factor for ED.
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Limit your alcohol consumption. Research shows that frequent and heavy drinking can lead to ED and other health issues. Try to limit your alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks per day.
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Avoid illicit drugs. Some recreational drugs can affect your intimate function, including the ability to get an arousal. If you’re dealing with a substance use disorder, consider reaching out to a healthcare professional for support.
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Quit smoking. Research shows that smoking increases the risk of ED by negatively impacting your heart health.
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What if I Do Have Morning Arousals But Still Have ED?
Morning arousals but no morning arousal intimacy? If you wake up with morning arousals but struggle to get aroused with a partner, your ED might be psychological.
Think about it: while you’re asleep, getting aroused isn’t an issue. So what’s different when you’re awake? It’s likely your thoughts.
Performance anxiety, low self-esteem, and other mental blocks can interfere with arousal.
The silver lining? Knowing this gives you a major hint about what’s causing your ED. And you can now take action.
Reach out to a healthcare professional for some tailored advice, whether it’s therapy or medication.
Image Credit: stefanamer/istockphoto.
What Are Morning Arousals? Final Takeaways
Waking up with no morning arousals day after day could indicate an underlying health problem.
Let’s recap what we know about these sleep-related arousals:
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Morning arousals are a good sign. Morning arousals are a typical part of life and a helpful signal that you’re physically capable of getting aroused.
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Disappearing morning arousals can be a wake-up call. If you’ve recently stopped getting morning arousals, it could be a sign of an underlying condition like ED or blood vessel issues.
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Treatment is available. You can treat ED by addressing underlying causes. Hims offers access to a range of ED treatments online, including chewable ED meds containing the same active ingredients in Viagra and Cialis. These medications are only available after an online consultation with a healthcare provider.
Related: Can’t Get Aroused? 7 Tips to Try Out
Related: Guys: Here’s Why You Get Nocturnal Arousals
This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
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