Erections while sleeping--Purpose?

[BIGdkluver]

Why do men get erections while they are sleeping?

One reason I've heard is that it is nature's way of helping to prevent them from urinating in the bed while they are sleeping.

This seems to be a fairly universal phenomenon among males since the phrase "morning wood" is very common and widely used.

I'm just curious. Any doctors on the site??? Thanks! :smile:

 

[B_Italian1]

It doesn't have anything to do with preventing you from urinating.

The scientific explanation:

Blackwell Synergy - J Sexual Medicine, Volume 2 Issue 6 Page 771-784, November 2005 (Article Abstract)

"Sleep-related erections have been reported to occur from the intrauterine life to senescence. It has been speculated that the main function of nocturnal erections is to provide adequate engorgement of the corpora cavernosa, which then leads to increased tissue oxygenation. This is in turn to prevent cavernous fibrosis, the histopathological basis for corporeal venoocclusive dysfunction, which probably is the most common cause of organic erectile dysfunction. It has been suggested that sleep-related erections are triggered by the release of nitric oxide by the nitrergic nerve fibers within the cavernous nerves. Androgens regulate this mechanism as well as some other non-nitrergic processes within the corpora cavernosa and within the central nervous system. By contrast, the erectile response to tactile or visual erotic stimuli in wakefulness predominantly involves an androgen-independent system, although it may, at least to a certain degree, also be influenced by androgen-sensitive mechanisms. No doubt, androgens are key players in the physiology of nocturnal erections, and the availability of new, user-friendly testosterone preparations such as transdermal gel and intramuscularly administered testosterone undecanoate stimulates further investigations on this field. The prospect that the quality of sleep may also be improved by an androgen therapy administered to improve sleep-related erections in hypogonadal men needs further basic research and appropriate clinical studies."

In layman's terms: it's normal and is supposed to happen, and if a man cannot get an erection for sex, but can get one during the night, that's an indication that it's not a physical problem. There's a test that a doctor will tell a man to do on himself if he's not getting erections, and is unsure if he's getting them during the night. He can wrap a thin strip of paper around the penis before bed, and if if it's torn in the morning that would indicate he had a nighttime erection.

 

[unzipped]

I had heard that a man only has a fixed or X amount of erections and ejacs per lifetime depending on the physiology of the individual?? If that is true-- I may be closed to the expiration date.. lol
uz

 

[B_Italian1]

I had heard that a man only has a fixed or X amount of erections and ejacs per lifetime depending on the physiology of the individual?? If that is true-- I may be closed to the expiration date.. lol
uz

No, I never heard that. A woman has so many eggs, but a man can reproduce well into his 80's. Hey, I'm older than you.

 

[bluemountain]

Actually, these night time erections are to keep men from rolling off the bed!! Have you fallen off the bed yet??

 

[ToBe]

In general, things that happen during sleep are not well understood at the current time. What is the purpose of dreams... who knows? Why do we have different sleep stages? Is REM sleep necessary (the time during which we dream, have nocturnal erections, and all our muscles are paralyzed except for the eyes and diaphragm)?

No one really knows the true purpose of nocturnal erections. They may help bring more oxygen to the corpora cavernosa, but who knows really... What is known is that men with low testosterone or some form of ED tend to have fewer/weaker nocturnal erections. Giving testosterone plus sildenafil (Viagra) to these men generally restores normal nocturnal erections. Effects of Sildenafil on Nocturnal Penile Tumescence and Rigidity in Normal Men: Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study -- Rochira et al. 23 (4): 566 -- Journal of Andrology

As mentioned above, the stamp test is an easy way to gauge presence of nocturnal erections. But, where I'm at, stamps don't come in rolls anymore. A better way would be to use a Rigiscan device to measure penile rigidity throughout the night.
Rigiscan

 

[goodwood]

I personally do not know the point of night time erections, but what I do know is that when they happen and I am with a woman I love it when she takes full advantage of a sleeping man with one. And yes. I have been surprised and awakend and fallen out of bed (after) only to suffer a black eye from hitting the bed side table on my way to the floor. lol.

 

[Julio47]

So nighttime erections are a sign of a high level of testosterone and healthy genitals?

 

[Freddie53]

It doesn't have anything to do with preventing you from urinating.

The scientific explanation:

Blackwell Synergy - J Sexual Medicine, Volume 2 Issue 6 Page 771-784, November 2005 (Article Abstract)

"Sleep-related erections have been reported to occur from the intrauterine life to senescence. It has been speculated that the main function of nocturnal erections is to provide adequate engorgement of the corpora cavernosa, which then leads to increased tissue oxygenation. This is in turn to prevent cavernous fibrosis, the histopathological basis for corporeal venoocclusive dysfunction, which probably is the most common cause of organic erectile dysfunction. It has been suggested that sleep-related erections are triggered by the release of nitric oxide by the nitrergic nerve fibers within the cavernous nerves. Androgens regulate this mechanism as well as some other non-nitrergic processes within the corpora cavernosa and within the central nervous system. By contrast, the erectile response to tactile or visual erotic stimuli in wakefulness predominantly involves an androgen-independent system, although it may, at least to a certain degree, also be influenced by androgen-sensitive mechanisms. No doubt, androgens are key players in the physiology of nocturnal erections, and the availability of new, user-friendly testosterone preparations such as transdermal gel and intramuscularly administered testosterone undecanoate stimulates further investigations on this field. The prospect that the quality of sleep may also be improved by an androgen therapy administered to improve sleep-related erections in hypogonadal men needs further basic research and appropriate clinical studies."

In layman's terms: it's normal and is supposed to happen, and if a man cannot get an erection for sex, but can get one during the night, that's an indication that it's not a physical problem. There's a test that a doctor will tell a man to do on himself if he's not getting erections, and is unsure if he's getting them during the night. He can wrap a thin strip of paper around the penis before bed, and if if it's torn in the morning that would indicate he had a nighttime erection.

And the winner of the award for the most scientifically stated post in the history of LPSG goes to ......:tongue:

 

[ToBe]

So nighttime erections are a sign of a high level of testosterone and healthy genitals?

Yes, if night-time erections are present, it is very likely that testosterone levels are at least normal and the penile tissue is adequately healthy (or someone's taking viagra, levitra, cialis).

 

[B_Nick8]

Perhaps you need to wake up and jerk off. Just a thought.

 

[Julio47]

Could it be caused by erotic dreams? U might not remember but each night we all have nasty dreams! I personnally get wet dreams if I dont empty my balls every 48h...