Why you may be having trouble getting an erection in the morning
What’s “morning wood”?
If you’ve ever woken up in the morning with a full erection, then you’ve had what some folks call “morning wood”, also called nocturnal penile tumescence. It’s pretty common for people. In fact, some people can get up to five erections in one eight hour sleep cycle.
Now, doctors aren’t entirely sure why you get erect when you’re asleep, though there are some theories. But morning wood is very common amongst people. And it’s a good sign that your nerves and blood circulation are in healthy, working order.
Why you may have trouble getting an erection in the morning
Also common among people is erectile dysfunction. This is where your body has trouble providing adequate blood flow for a proper erection. Trouble getting erect in the morning could be a sign of ED.
There’s a range of possible causes including:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Atherosclerosis (clogged arteries)
- Fatigue
- Drug or substance abuse
- Strokes
- Multiple sclerosis
- Anxiety, stress
- Certain medications
Now, if you don’t wake up fully erect, that doesn’t automatically mean you have ED. Morning wood isn’t something that *has* to happen. But if you find you’re having trouble getting or maintaining an erection throughout the day, then it’s probably time to talk to someone.
When to talk to someone
You should talk to a professional when things seem out of the ordinary. Or when they become painful. For example:
Less frequent morning wood
If you used to have more frequent instances of morning wood but now you’re having less or not at all, then it’s probably a good idea to speak with a medical professional just to be sure.
Your erections are long and painful
On the other hand, if you wake up with a morning that lasts for more than 30 minutes or if they hurt, then you should definitely talk to a medical professional.
Blue Pearl Therapeutic
Experiencing ED can be a lot to carry alone. At Blue Pearl, our goal is to create an inviting and safe space to get to the root of a problem. Contact us today to schedule your FREE consultation.
Let’s get you waking all the way up again
Gabriela