2023-11-02 19:20:00
What is a nocturnal erection?
Nocturnal erection, also called “nocturnal penile tumescence“, is a spontaneous, involuntary and mechanical erection of the penis. “It happens during sleep”, adds Dr Gilbert Bou Jaoudé, doctor-sexologist on behalf of the Charles digital clinic.
The mechanisms of nocturnal erection
It takes place during the phases of so-called “paradoxical” sleep: “This phenomenon occurs at the same time as other phenomena in the body: our brain is active yet we are asleep and our body hypotonic, dreams are more intense, and the eyes move under the eyelids. Without clear explanations these days, this is why this phase of sleep is called “paradoxical”,” notes the doctor-sexologist. “They are present throughout life, with only a slight decline in healthy elderly people,” reports a study published in the National Library of Medicine (source 1).
How many erections during sleep?
The man has approximately 3 to 5 nocturnal erections, lasting an average of 20 minutes each, and with a rigidity of 80 to 90%. Dr Bou Jaoudé.
Depending on the quality and conditions of his sleep, a man will therefore be erect every night for a period of at least 40 to 120 minutes in total. “But the majority of this time being during sleep, the man does not necessarily perceive these erections,” adds the sexologist.
Nocturnal erection, what is the difference with a so-called “morning” erection?
“They are the same with the difference that morning erection is the last of the nighttime erections », Specifies Dr Bou Jaoudé. He adds : “ Erections upon waking up are very common, probably because the man wakes up at the end of the paradoxical sleep phase, and therefore notices the end of the last nocturnal erection. »
As for the notion of a full bladder giving an erection, this hypothesis does not hold water: “A full bladder can help maintain an erection but does not cause it. And it is the fact of waking up that makes the morning erection disappear and not the fact of urinating,” notes the doctor.
Nocturnal erections, how to explain them?
“Spontaneous erections during the night result from change in balance between the parasympathetic nervous system and the sympathetic nervous system during the night,” specifies the sexologist. He adds: “They are not linked to erotic dreams or libido. It is a neurobiological and vascular phenomenon which still retains an element of mystery. »
The paradox of nocturnal erections
Note that men suffering from impotence can have nocturnal erections. “Indeed, when the cause of the erectile disorder is psychological, such as fear of failure, or physiological but benign, the “machine” still works well. On the other hand, in the case of erectile dysfunction due to a significant organic cause, nocturnal erections can also be dysfunctional,” notes the sexologist. In any case, maintaining nocturnal and morning erections is considered a reassuring sign. in case of erectile dysfunction.
But also: the frequency and duration of nocturnal erections are not a sign of good or bad sexual health.
Can a daytime erection lead to sexual intercourse?
“There is no direct link but if there is a slight awakening at that time, accompanied by stimulation, then yes it is possible to have sexual intercourse,” indicates the sexologist doctor.
Is the quality of intercourse better with a nocturnal erection?
It all depends on the cases. “For example, it will be better in certain men who have erectile dysfunction linked to stress, to the fear of sexual failure for a simple reason: their mind is more relaxed in this state of gradual awakening, stress is thus less,” illustrates the specialist. It happens, on the contrary, that these nocturnal erections are poorly experienced by men during periods of mourning, for example.
What are nocturnal erections, also known as “tumescences” for?
Night erections play several roles in the proper functioning of the penis. “They have a restorative effect, serve to oxygenate the penis, prevent prolonged rest of the sexual organ, prepare the penis to easily become erect during sexual intercourse and promote nocturnal emissions of semen to renew it in the event of low-frequency sexual intercourse…”, illustrates Dr. Gilbert Bou Jaoudé. He simplifies: “It’s a bit like warm-up times for an athlete who can enter the field at any time. »
What to do if you have pain during nocturnal erections?
Nocturnal erection is not supposed to hurt, it can certainly wake you up but it should not be painful. If the erection becomes painful to the point of waking the man, he should then consult: “It might be a neurological disorder, a sign of prostatitis or another medical problem. Exceptionally, fortunately, it can also be priapism,” explains the sexologist, Gilbert Bou Jaoudé.
What exactly is priapism?
Priapism is a erectile dysfunction which results in a abnormally long erection and which continues despite the loss of excitement. If this phenomenon occurs, an abnormally prolonged erection beyond two hours of rigidity with pain or discomfort of the penis, it will then be advisable to consult a health professional urgently: “Being erect for too long can damage the tissues of the penis and present irreversible consequences,” warns the specialist.
Absent nocturnal erections, should we be worried?
The absence of erections during the night may reflect a underlying disease : depression, diabetes… Since nighttime erections are unconscious, it is generally quite difficult to realize their presence. In other words, if nighttime and morning erections are present, this is reassuring. If they are absent, it might either be a sign of illness or that one is not aware of it.
If the doctor considers it useful to carry out a medical examination, a plethysmography can then be carried out to measure the quality of these erections.
The causes that might explain their absence:
- Problem with the mechanics of the penis which no longer responds to requests from the brain (problems with arteries, nerves, hormones, etc.)
- “Problem at the brain level such as depression or sleep apnea syndrome or during periods of anxiety,” adds the sexologist.
Circumcision and involuntary nocturnal erection, what is the link?
“There is no link between circumcision (editor’s note: removal of the foreskin for religious reasons or following recurrent balanitis) and nocturnal erection,” reassures Dr. Gilbert Bou Jaoudé. » However, since these erections are uncontrolled because they occur during sleep, some of them may be painful during convalescence from the act (days following circumcision). “Pain which will fade upon waking, when the erection subsides. »
Is there an equivalent phenomenon among women?
The same phenomenon exists in women with erection of the clitoris during the phases of paradoxical sleep. “These, however, are less noticeable due to the fact that the variations of the clitoris are less important and visible than those of the penis”, nuance the sexologist doctor.
What you must remember : if erections are correct during sexual intercourse, there is no need to consult a health professional. Conversely, it will be preferable to seek the advice of a medical specialist if any discomfort, pain or absence is noticed.
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