Why do men get erections when they wake up ?

Pourquoi les hommes ont-ils des érections au réveil ?

Les érections matinales sont souvent associées à une bonne santé. Mais comment expliquer ce phénomène naturel ? Faut-il s’inquiéter de leur absence ?

On a physiological level, the erection manifests itself in several stages, starting with stimulation, whether visual, auditory, tactile or fantasized. In the early morning, none of this happens. The morning erection does not appear to be triggered by any form of excitement. Its explanation therefore lies elsewhere and still remains mysterious.

REM sleep

Unprovoked therefore, this morning erection is described as "spontaneous" by specialists. It would in fact be considered a form of prolongation of erections which occur during the night. More precisely during the paradoxical sleep phases, those considered to be the most conducive to dreams. Without the latter being erotic, moreover. This "triumphant morning" would be a sort of surprise nocturnal erection when waking up in the middle of paradoxical sleep. It could also be amplified by a peak in testosterone which occurs in the early morning.

Finally, the absence of a morning erection is not worrying in itself. At least if it is temporary. Because a disorder affecting sleep can cause this lack of erection, such as sleep apnea syndrome or even depression… If the phenomenon persists, ask your doctor.