Waking up with morning wood is a common experience for most men or Assigned Males At Birth (AMABs), but have you ever noticed how it seems to disappear as soon as you head to the bathroom?
It is an interesting phenomenon that leaves many men wondering. If you are also intrigued by this mysterious connection between your body’s functions, you’re not alone—let us learn about the impact of urination on morning erections.
In this article, we’ll discuss why does morning wood go away when you urinate and what it means for your overall health.
Why Does Morning Wood Go Away When You Urinate
Morning wood, or Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT), is a common occurrence for most men. It usually happens during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, and by morning, you might wake up with an erection.
However, it often vanishes after you urinate, which is a pretty normal occurrence but leaves many curious about the connection between the two.
There are a few reasons, like pressure on the bladder, switching body functions, hormonal changes, and relaxing of the pelvic muscles for why your erection might go away when you urinate in the morning.
Let us take a closer look at these:
1. Pressure on the Bladder
When you wake up, your bladder is usually full from holding urine throughout the night. This fullness creates internal pressure that sends signals to your brain, indicating the need to urinate.
Because the bladder and penis share a close connection in terms of function, the act of urinating can divert blood flow away from the penis. As a result, the NPTnaturally subsides, allowing you to urinate more comfortably.
2. Switching Bodily Functions
The body does not prioritize maintaining an erection while you’re in the process of urination. The body needs to shift its focus from one to the other.
Once your body switches into urination mode, the brain sends signals to relax the muscles responsible for maintaining the erection, causing it to go away.
3. Hormonal Changes Upon Waking
As you wake up, the hormone balance in your body shifts. During REM sleep, there are high levels of testosterone in the body that begin to decrease slightly after waking.
This change can cause morning wood to gradually go away. Additionally, as you stand up and move around, the blood circulation tends to increase in the other parts of the body, which can reduce the blood flow to the penis that maintains the erection.
4. Relaxation of the Pelvic Floor Muscles
The muscles surrounding your bladder and penis are called the pelvic floor muscles. They help in both erections and urination.
When you have an erection, these muscles contract to trap blood in the penis. When you prepare to urinate, these muscles relax, which not only allows you to urinate easily but also releases the blood trapped in the penis, causing the morning wood to go away.
Difficulty Urinating While Having Morning Wood
Sometimes, men find it difficult to urinate while they still have an erection. This happens because the muscles that control the release of urine are also involved in maintaining an erection.
When you have an erection, the body prioritizes keeping blood in the penis, making it harder to pee. In such cases, waiting to lose the erection or standing in a more comfortable position can help ease urination.
Conclusion
NPT is a normal and healthy part of male physiology, and it is common for it to disappear when you urinate.
So, why does morning wood go away when you urinate? This happens due to a combination of bladder pressure, hormonal changes, and the body’s natural shift from maintaining an erection to focusing on urination.
Also, it is normal to have difficulty urinating during morning wood. It is usually not a cause for worry, and changing your position can help.
It is advised that you visit your doctor if you experience any unusual changes in your morning erection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can stress or anxiety impact morning wood?
Yes, stress or anxiety are among the factors that can affect morning wood. Chronic stress may lead to low testosterone, which can affect erections.
Are there any medical conditions that can cause morning wood to disappear?
Yes, medical conditions like Diabetes, heart disease, and hormonal imbalances (such as low testosterone) can reduce or cause morning wood to disappear.
How long do morning erections typically last?
Morning erections typically last anywhere from a few minutes to about 30 minutes. The duration of NPT can vary depending on factors like age, hormone levels, and overall health.
What does it mean if I stop getting morning wood?
It is normal for morning wood to stop with age, but there are some other factors that can reduce the frequency of your morning wood, including changes in blood flow, hormone levels, or nerve function.
Can medications affect morning wood?
Yes, medications like antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, and antihistamines can affect morning erections by altering blood flow, hormone levels, or nerve signals.
Are there any health benefits to morning wood?
Yes, morning wood indicates healthy blood flow and normal erectile function, reflecting good cardiovascular and nerve health.
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