Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
Topics: Health, Sex and Relationships
Claire Reid
A sex expert has revealed what it means if you regularly wake up with ‘morning wood’ - and it turns out it’s actually pretty good news for your health.
Kate Moyle, a sex and relationship expert from sex toy manufacturer LELO, cleared up some common myths and misconceptions related to sex.
Speaking to the Sun, Kate explained that just because a bloke wakes up with an erect penis it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s turned on.
It’s fairly normal for a man to wake up with morning wood and is actually a good sign.
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She explained: "Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) doesn't mean that a man has woken up turned on, or just had an erotic dream (although that may sometimes be the case).
"It's actually a sign of healthy circulation and nervous system activity.”
Men can actually experience between three to five erections every night and these will likely become noticeable when you wake up.
Kate went on to warn blokes to keep an eye on their early morning downstairs movements as if they suddenly come to halt, you should pay a visit to your GP.
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"If these morning erections suddenly stop then it can be an indicator of an underlying health condition,” she added. “And it's worth discussing with your doctor."
Kate also debunked the myth that if you or your partner have a sexually transmitted infection you’ll know - because not all STIs are visible or have symptoms.
She told The Sun: "Anyone who is having unprotected sex - not just intercourse but other forms of sex like oral sex - can catch an STI.
"Some STIs are symptomless and so it's a good idea to test regularly, which can easily be done by visiting a sexual health clinic, or using a home testing kit."
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Kate says it’s best to make sure you protect yourself by wearing condoms, particularly if you’re having sex with a new partner.
You should also get regular STI tests to make sure you haven’t picked anything up.
In 2021, the UK earned itself the undesirable title of 'gonorrhea capital of Europe'.
Data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control released back in October 2021 showed that the STI was far more prevalent in the UK than in any other country in the EU or EEA (European Economic Area).
In 2018, the UK had 93.2 cases of gonorrhoea per 100,000 people, way ahead of Ireland in second place with 49.8 per 100,000.
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Next up was Denmark with 38 cases per 100,000; followed by Norway with 31.3 per 100,000; then Iceland with 29.8.