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Waking up with morning wood is something we experience most of our lives as guys. But what happens when it stops? What happens when you start waking up in the morning with no morning wood?
Some guys may not think much of it and move on about their day as if nothing unusual has happened, but others may go straight into a panic mood. Sparking thoughts like "Is something wrong with me?" or "Am I still a man?".
Which is why we're going to have this conversation today... so before you panic!
Read this guide on what it means when you don't get your morning wood.
In this post, we’ll explore why morning wood is a thing, common reasons it might disappear, and what you can do to get it back.
The Science Behind Morning Wood
First off, what exactly is “morning wood”? Also known as nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT).
It refers to the erections you get while you’re asleep and sometimes wake up with.
This is a completely natural process that happens to men of all ages, from infants to the elderly (but more commonly during your adult life).
The Role of Our Hormones
One of the main reasons you get morning wood is because of your hormones. When you hit puberty, your body starts producing more testosterone, and erections become more frequent.
During deep sleep, your body’s level of a hormone called norepinephrine drops, which allows for erections to occur. Additionally, testosterone levels are highest in the morning, which contributes to those morning boners.
So the combination of these two hormones play a BIG role in helping your body have those morning erections.
Bladder Pressure
Yup, your bladder plays a role in your morning wood as well.
Near your bladder are what is called your sacral nerves. These nerves have a direct contribution for your erections. So during the night when your bladder is full, it can compress those nerves.
This is sometimes referred to as a “reflexive erection” and could explain why you wake up with an erection when you really need to pee.
Movement in Your Sleep
Another factor that contributes to morning wood is the movement during your sleep.
When you’re in a deep sleep, your body goes through different stages of sleep, including REM sleep (which we'll talk about more here shortly). During this stage, you experience rapid eye movements and increased brain activity.
Research has shown that men tend to have more frequent nighttime erections during REM sleep, which could explain why we often wake up with them in the morning.
In addition to that, simple movements can spark an erection during your sleep as well. For example, this could occur when you turn over in bed or feel the movement of your partner.
So to recap, your hormones, bladder pressure, and movement in your sleep all contribute to morning wood.
Reasons Why You Might Not Be Getting Morning Wood Anymore
Now that we know the science behind morning wood, let’s talk about some possible reasons why you're not having morning wood anymore.
Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on your body and mind, and your ability to get an erection is no exception.
High stress levels can interfere with your sleep and reduce your overall sexual function. When your mind is preoccupied, it’s hard for your body to relax enough to allow for those natural processes to occur.
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Physical Health
Your physical health plays a huge role in your sexual health. Conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity can affect blood flow and nerve function, making it more difficult to get and maintain erections.
If you’re not experiencing morning wood, it might be a sign to check in on your overall health. Have your hormones checked (remember how we talked about the importance of hormones for your erections?), schedule an appointment with your doctor, and make sure you’re taking care of your body with proper nutrition and exercise.
Age-Related Changes
As you get older, your body produces less testosterone, which can lead to fewer erections. This is a normal part of aging, but if you notice a sudden drop, it might be worth discussing with your doctor.
Not to say this AUTOMATICALLY MEANS YOU HAVE ED, but it's a sign that, "Hey, I should have this checked just in case".
Circadian Rhythm and Sleep Schedule
Your body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, affects almost every aspect of your health, including your erections. Which in case you didn't know, you have different types of erections (reflexive, psychogenic, and nocturnal erections)
Poor sleep quality or an irregular sleep schedule can disrupt this rhythm and impact your testosterone levels, making morning wood less frequent.
Other Reasons You May Not Have Morning Wood Anymore
There are also other potential reasons why you may not be experiencing morning wood, including:
Medications: Certain medications can lead to ED.
Alcohol or drug use: Excessive use can affect your body's ability to produce testosterone and lead to ED.
Relationship & psychological issues: Stress or tension in a relationship can impact your sexual functioning.
Mental health disorders: Conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD can also play a role in erectile dysfunction.
Medical conditions: Such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease can all contribute to ED.
Depression: Which can alter your REM cycle, messing up your sleep and ultimately prevent you from getting morning erections.
"So, Do I Have ED Because I Don't Have Morning Wood Anymore?"
Just because you're not experiencing morning wood does NOT automatically indicate that you have erectile dysfunction!
Various factors can impact the occurrence of your morning erections, and the absence of them might be attributed to temporary circumstances rather than an actual chronic condition.
Stress, lifestyle changes, or even alterations in sleep patterns can all contribute to fluctuations in your erections. Yes, there is actually variability and fluctuation in your erections... Highly recommend reading that guide!
Additionally, it's possible that you may still be experiencing erections during the night, but they could be gone BEFORE you fully wake up.
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In many cases, men may not even be aware of nocturnal erections that take place during deeper sleep stages. Therefore, while a sudden decrease in morning wood can be concerning (Hey, we get it, it's your dick after all), it's IMPORTANT to consider these factors and discuss any ongoing issues with a healthcare professional.
This will help you gain insight and reassurance about your sexual health and overall well-being.
Lifestyle Changes and How to Get Your Morning Wood Back
Ok, so you're concerned about your lack of morning wood, and you've ruled out any potential physical or health-related causes. What now?
Well, there are some lifestyle changes that can help improve your overall sexual function and boost those morning erections.
Find The Root Cause
This is the number one thing you should focus on if you are truly concerned about your erections and about getting back your morning wood.
If you're not experiencing morning erections anymore and you want to get it back, the number one thing you can do is find out exactly what is causing the issue. Go through everything we talked about in this blog and narrow it down one by one until you have that answer.
And then you can make changes as necessary!
Improve Your Sexual Health
For guys facing having trouble achieving or maintaining erections, The Phoenix is a great way to start improving your sexual health at home. This non-invasive device uses advanced acoustic wave therapy and allows you to "get it up" again.
By encouraging the body’s natural healing processes, it helps enhance and improve overall sexual function (aka your erections!).
Prioritize Sleep
Getting enough quality sleep is crucial for maintaining good health, including your sexual health. Make sure you're getting 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to help regulate your circadian rhythm and support hormone balance.
If you're not sure about how to track your circadian rhythm sleep, there are actually smart watches that will track it for you now.
Reduce Stress
We know it's easier said than done, but reducing stress in your life can greatly improve your overall well-being (these means improving your erections!).
Find ways to relax and unwind, whether it's through exercise, meditation, or engaging hobbies. We can't stress this enough.
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So, What Have We Learned?
Morning wood is a normal physiological response that indicates healthy sexual function.
Stress, poor sleep quality, age-related changes, medication use, and other factors can impact the occurrence of morning wood.
Just because you're not experiencing morning wood does not automatically indicate ED; discuss any ongoing concerns with a healthcare professional.
Lifestyle changes, such as improving sexual health, prioritizing sleep, and reducing stress can help boost morning wood.
Remember to find the root cause of any issues with morning wood before making changes.
And most importantly, take care of your overall well-being for the best sexual health possible.
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