Talk with licensed doctors and manage your health history. Understanding these changes and maintaining overall health can help men preserve their sexual wellness. Lifestyle interventions can help maintain sexual health. Men typically experience 5 erections during a night’s rest (depending on age and sleep quality). Learn more about the connection between testosterone and morning erections. In other words, if the blood vessels and nerves in the pelvic region are functioning properly, spontaneous erections during sleep are more likely. If you're experiencing a consistent absence of morning erections, it could be an early indicator of low testosterone. Low testosterone levels (a condition known as hypogonadism) can lead to decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and even depression. One small study suggested men need testosterone levels of around 200 ng/dL to have morning wood. One theory is that a hefty morning hard-on is a sign your testosterone levels are in tip-top shape. Lastly, the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which controls arousal, is activated during REM sleep. "Sexual desire, horniness—that’s probably a pretty good indicator of testosterone for most people," he says. Instead, Sun advises, pay more attention to your libido than to your morning boners. But other health conditions, like diabetes and cardiovascular issues, are common causes, says Andrew Sun, M.D., a urologist at Urology Partners of North Texas. "Morning erections are a great general indicator of overall penile health," Sun says. During sleep, the body also releases the neurotransmitter dopamine, which plays a role in erections, as well as libido and arousal (3, 4). Testosterone levels follow a diurnal cycle, peaking in the morning and declining by afternoon—then rebooting during sleep and doing it all over again the next day (2). "A lot of people think that testosterone controls erectile function, and therefore, ‘I have ED, so I’m going to go to the low-T center and get more testosterone for my ED,’" he says. Low T can be one explanation if you don’t wake up hard as often as you used to or if you experience other changes in your erections. Morning wood isn’t usually caused by sexual dreams. That includes digestion, breathing, heartbeat, and sexual arousal. Morning wood is a slang term for nocturnal penile tumescence, which means waking up with an erection. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before starting any medication, supplement regimen, or treatment plan. Besides managing Male Health Review, Mark is also a guest columnist for several blogs related to men’s health. Research-backed tools, tactics, and techniques to maximize your health, delivered to your inbox every Monday. Natalie Kunsman, M.D., is a board certified physician specializing in functional, anti-aging, and regenerative medicine. She's written health and lifestyle stories for Women's Health, Redbook, Prevention, Good Housekeeping, USA Today, Better Homes & Gardens, Giddy, Parade, Yoga Journal, and more. Contact us at if you see an error. Every article is rigorously reviewed by medical experts to ensure accuracy. The Edge upholds the highest standards of health journalism. However, not having them doesn’t necessarily mean your T levels are too low.
