Is Morning Wood a Sign of Good Testosterone? This Is What It Means for Your Health

Waking up with a morning erection, or morning wood, is something most men are familiar with. Men should experience morning erections regularly, which is a normal and healthy physiological response.

Experiencing it is completely normal and common among healthy men. It can tell you a lot about what’s happening in your body, especially your testosterone levels and sexual health. This article answers the question: is morning wood a sign of good testosterone?

Key Takeaways:

• Morning erections are normal and typically occur during REM sleep.
• Morning wood, also known as nocturnal penile tumescence, is a normal physiological process.
• Healthy blood flow is essential for erections, and morning erections can be a sign of healthy testosterone levels.
• Changes in morning wood frequency can indicate underlying health issues, making it an important health indicator.

What Are Morning Erections?

Morning erections begin during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. This is when your brain is active and you’re dreaming vividly (Sleep Foundation, 2022; Rowland et al., 2000). Morning wood is a normal phenomenon for males, and it can happen at any age. Hormones surge during this sleep stage. It’s also when the parasympathetic nervous system takes over. This part of your nervous system promotes relaxation, blood flow, and erections.

The erections that happen while you're asleep are not associated with sexual dreams or sexual arousal. Men can experience them, often many times in a night, without any physical stimulation. That’s because they’re largely regulated by your body’s internal clock and hormone release cycles, especially testosterone. Testosterone levels usually peak in the early morning hours.

Morning erections aren't typically caused by physical stimulation or sexual arousal, but by hormonal changes and neurological factors (they can even be caused by a full bladder). Not every man experiences morning wood every day, but several times a week is generally a good sign.

Morning Erections vs Wet Dreams

Morning wood is different from a wet dream. A wet dream is an involuntary ejaculation that happens during sleep. It's usually accompanied by erotic dreams. Wet dreams involve ejaculation, while sleep-related erections are simply erections during sleep. Wet dreams are a normal part of puberty for young men and can occur at any age.

The Relationship Between Morning Erections and Testosterone

Morning erections are considered a natural check for testosterone levels, though other hormones are also involved in regulating them. Hormone shifts during sleep influence the frequency of morning erections.

Testosterone, your body’s primary male sex hormone, supports libido, energy levels, and your ability to get and maintain an erection. When your testosterone levels are optimal, you can expect regular morning erections(Caronia et al., 2004; Corona et al., 2011; Dean & Lue, 2005).

When you start having fewer morning erections, it can be a sign of declining testosterone levels. That doesn’t automatically mean you have low testosterone (low T), but it is worth watching, especially if you also experience low energy, decreased libido, mood changes, or changes in your body composition (such as putting on weight) (Corona et al., 2011; Caronia et al., 2004).

Remember: testosterone declines with age, typically starting between ages 40 and 50 (Corona et al., 2011; Harvard Health Publishing, 2021). That’s why high-performing men turn to testosterone replacement therapy or support products for erectile function to maintain their edge.

Morning Erections as an Early Warning Sign

When you don’t experience morning erections or sleep-related erections anymore or notice they become noticeably less frequent, it could be an early warning sign of an underlying health condition.

Low T, erectile dysfunction (ED), and even cardiovascular issues can affect your ability to get morning erections. ED affects sexual function and your overall health. You need healthy blood flow for nighttime and morning erections. If that flow is compromised (due to restricted arteries or poor circulation), you’re likely to notice a change (Dean & Lue, 2005; Burnett & Nehra, 2007; American Urological Association, 2023).

If your morning erection becomes rare, painful, or doesn’t feel right, talk to your doctor. It’s important to seek medical advice if you notice any differences.

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Factors That Affect Morning Wood

These risk factors can contribute to changes in morning wood:

• Age: Testosterone and erection frequency naturally decline over time.
• Sleep quality: Disrupted REM sleep = fewer chances for morning wood.
• Stress: High cortisol throws your testosterone out of balance.
• Diet: Poor nutrition or nutrient deficiencies can lower testosterone.
• Weight: Being overweight or obese is linked to reduced erectile function.
• Smoking: It damages blood vessels and restricts blood flow.
• Chronic health conditions: Diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and sleep apnea all interfere with erection quality.
• Medications: Some prescription and over-the-counter meds (like antidepressants or blood pressure pills) can dull your performance.
• ED: Often, the first place men notice something’s off.
• Low testosterone: Especially if it’s paired with fatigue and low libido. Find out more about low testosterone symptoms and how to deal with them.
• Sleep disorders: No REM sleep, no morning wood.
• Mental health issues: Depression and anxiety can play a huge role.

An occasional absence of morning wood is completely normal and not usually a cause for concern. However, if you have painful erections or notice a sudden change in your morning erections, contact your healthcare provider. If there are underlying health issues, they need to be treated.

We've created an article on how to raise testosterone, which explains how these factors work together and how you can get the balance back.

How to Get Morning Wood More Often

There’s no secret hack to get morning wood before you wake every day, but you can increase your chances of experiencing morning wood more often:

• Prioritize sleep: Stick to a consistent schedule and aim for quality REM cycles.
• Move your body: Exercise boosts testosterone and improves circulation.
• Eat smart: Focus on healthy fats, proteins, and micronutrients.
• Manage stress: High cortisol = low T.
• Check your medications: Talk to your doctor if you take chronic medication. Talking to a healthcare professional or urologist about any concerns can help identify and address potential issues.

References

1. Caronia, L. M., et al. (2004). "Testosterone secretion in healthy men: a review of circadian and age-related changes." Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 89(4), 1641–1645.
2. Dean, R. C., & Lue, T. F. (2005). "Physiology of penile erection and pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction." Urologic Clinics of North America, 32(4), 379–395.
3. Corona, G., et al. (2011). "The aging male and the hypogonadal state: an endocrine society clinical practice guideline." Endocrine Reviews, 32(1), 88–96.
4. Buvat, J., & Maggi, M. (2012). "A pathophysiological model for the study of erectile dysfunction in the aging man." Journal of Sexual Medicine, 9(10), 2474–2483.
5. Rowland, D. L., et al. (2000). "Nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity testing: a review of clinical applications and recent advances." International Journal of Impotence Research, 12(2), 87–97.
6. American Urological Association. (2023). "Erectile Dysfunction: Causes and Diagnosis." AUA Guidelines.
7. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023). “Erectile Dysfunction.” Mayo Clinic.
8. Sleep Foundation. (2022). “REM Sleep: What It Is and Why It Matters.” Sleep Foundation.
9. Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). “Testosterone: What it does and doesn’t do.” Harvard Medical School.
10. Burnett, A. L., & Nehra, A. (2007). "Evaluation and Management of Erectile Dysfunction." AUA Guidelines.