Male reproductive health experts are advising men to take their sexual health seriously by consulting healthcare professionals if they are not experiencing morning erections, a natural and common occurrence in healthy men.
Urologists emphasized that the absence of morning erections could signal underlying health issues such as erectile dysfunction or infertility and should not be ignored. Speaking with *PUNCH Healthwise*, the physicians recommended a comprehensive health assessment, including hormone testing, semen analysis, and lifestyle evaluations, for men not experiencing morning erections.
Morning erections, often seen as a sign of healthy sexual function, are typically caused by increased blood flow and hormonal fluctuations during the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep. However, a significant number of men have reported a lack of morning erections, raising concerns about potential fertility or sexual health issues.
Consultant urologist Dr. Emmanuel Eze explained that the body’s ability to have regular morning erections may reflect broader reproductive health. He stated that the absence of morning erections could indicate problems with hormone levels, such as low testosterone, or vascular health, which could affect overall erectile function and, in some cases, fertility.
“Morning erections typically occur 3-5 times each night and are part of the body’s natural hormonal fluctuations,” Dr. Eze said. “A persistent lack of morning erections could be a sign of erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, or even more serious conditions like heart disease.”
Dr. Eze further elaborated that erectile dysfunction often results from an imbalance in blood flow to the penis. He noted that poor blood circulation, often associated with cardiovascular conditions, could reduce the ability to achieve spontaneous erections.
Testosterone, a crucial hormone for sexual function and sperm production, could also play a role in the absence of morning erections. A decline in testosterone can lead to a reduced frequency of these erections, along with other symptoms such as fatigue, decreased libido, and loss of muscle mass. While testosterone levels naturally decline with age, significant drops could indicate more serious health concerns.
The urologist also stressed the direct connection between erectile function and male fertility. He explained that erectile problems could affect a man’s ability to conceive by interfering with regular sexual activity, thus impacting sperm delivery.
However, Dr. Akpo Edewor, Senior Registrar in Urology at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, countered that the lack of morning erections does not necessarily signal serious health problems. He explained that various factors, such as sleep patterns, stress, and the time a man wakes up, can influence whether or not he experiences a morning erection.
“Morning erections should not be seen as the definitive measure of sexual health,” Dr. Edewor said. “If a man can still achieve an erection during sexual activity, even without morning erections, it indicates that his erectile function is likely intact.”
While morning erections can offer clues about a man’s sexual health, Dr. Edewor emphasized that erectile dysfunction is a more complex condition that involves difficulty maintaining or achieving an erection sufficient for intercourse. He also noted that conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension, along with medications for these conditions, could contribute to erectile dysfunction.
Both experts agree that men who experience persistent issues with erections should consult a healthcare provider to identify and address any underlying conditions.
