Waking up with an erection is a normal physiological event that can signal healthy testosterone levels. Dr Jeff Foster, medical director of men's health at Voy, told Metro that the frequency of morning erections varies by age and can indicate overall health.
Frequency guidelines by age
According to Dr Foster, teenage boys and men in their 20s should experience morning erections most days or every day. In their 30s, the frequency drops to more than 50% of mornings. For men in their 40s and 50s, two to three times per week is normal, while those in their 60s might expect once or twice weekly.
Former rugby player Joe Marler, 35, discussed on the Man Alive podcast that morning erections become less common with age. 'I get the occasional one, but nowhere near as many as I used to,' he said.
When to see a doctor
Dr Foster shared a key indicator: 'The time we would say you need to go see a doctor is if you can't remember the last time you had morning erections. That's a really good indicator that either hormones have dropped or your cardiovascular risk has gone up.'
He recommends men monitor testosterone levels from age 30, as they reflect overall health. Other signs of low testosterone include difficulty making progress in exercise, weight gain, muscle loss due to a slower metabolism, and mental health issues like decreased mood, increased anxiety, and higher depression risk.
Why morning erections occur
Lovehoney's sexual health expert Sarah Mulindwa explained that morning erections are not primarily due to sexual arousal. During REM sleep, the parasympathetic nervous system takes over, controlling automatic functions like breathing and heart rate. This system does not inhibit erections, and men often wake during REM sleep. Testosterone levels also peak in the morning, contributing to erections.
Mulindwa noted that morning erections generally indicate a healthy body. However, if an erection is painful or lasts more than an hour, or if morning erections stop entirely, it may be wise to consult a GP. Absence could relate to circulatory issues, medication, low testosterone, or erectile dysfunction.
