While most men do not love waking up with a stiff neck or back, very few men complain when they wake up with a different body part that is stiff. Commonly known as “morning wood,” it is perfectly normal for men – including young men just reaching maturity maturity – to wake up with a rocking hard-on first thing in the AM. Learn more about this usually welcome phenomenon and what it means for male organ health if it starts to go away.

Is morning wood normal?

Most men wake up to find they are “popping a tent” in their pants, a phenomenon that is a completely normal part of a man’s physiology. In fact, it is a very good sign that indicates everything is working the way it should be. Most men have multiple stiffies throughout the night (3-5 or more), each of which can last for half an hour or longer. While most woodies in the daytime arise from exposure to something stimulating – either visually, mentally, or physically – a night time boner does not necessarily mean a guy is dreaming about or imagining sensual acts – though he very well could be.

What causes this early morning hello?

There are a few things that may be to blame (or to thank) for a morning wood. A full bladder is one of them. When the bladder becomes overfull, as it tends to during the night, the urine makes its way up the urethra, which causes the manhood to swell. Though this may help wake the man up to void his bladder, this may be easier said than done with a full-on hard-on. A strong morning boner is also associated with certain sleep cycles and is more likely to occur when a man is in active or REM sleep – which occurs several times a night, as well as just before waking in the morning – though men do have woodies outside of REM sleep. Medications for male dysfunction are also commonly associated with morning wood and could be the culprit, though many men experience them without medication.

What happens when the morning wood stops?

For a man who has woken up every day since his teens with a pop-up, the absence of one may seem like a reason to dial 911. However, a missing stiffy does not necessarily indicate a serious problem. Studies have found that it is perfectly normal for both the quality and number of pop-ups to gradually change over a man’s lifespan. This shift is most likely associated with the natural decrease of andrrogen that comes as a man ages. Obviously, a young man of 20 has a great deal more andrrogen in his body than a man of 60 – so it stands to reason that his manhood may also be standing a little firmer and more frequently as well. However, if there is a sudden drop off or dramatic change in one’s tumescence quality, quantity, or duration – morning or otherwise – it is wise for a man to get checked out to ensure there is not a more serious problem going on, such as blood pressure issues or diabetes. A man’s male organ health is an indication to how his body in general is doing, so it is always good to keep the doctor in the loop as changes progress – particularly if they are sudden.

Keeping the manhood strong

In some cases, there is little a man can do to bring back a waning wanger; it may just be a sad side effect of aging. After a medical exam, a doctor may recommend andrrogen supplements or other treatments to restore his male organ to its full glory. Though it may be embarrassing, a man needs to speak up if he feels something is wrong. However, there are some things a man can take into his own hands, including adding a male organ health cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) to his daily regimen. A formula containing vital nutrients such as L-Arginine -- which allows for increased circulation to the manhood to help sustain reproductive health -- and alpha lipoic acid to fight the signs of male organ aging – is preferred. Simply apply after the shower and enjoy the effects of a healthier, more youthful manhood.