So, you've literally just woken up in the morning but already your privates are standing to attention.
This is what's known for obvious reasons as 'morning wood', and it's perfectly natural as it happens to basically every bloke from time to time.
However, if you're getting morning wood a lot then there's a certain meaning behind that and you might want to know what a sex expert makes of it all.
Don't worry, it's not a sign that your ding-a-ling is about to fall off or something, it's actually a very positive thing health-wise.
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Sex and relationship expert Kate Moyle said that just because a man has morning wood it didn't necessarily mean he was turned on.
Speaking to The Sun, 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.
"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."
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).
Ever since Brexit, the government has banged on about ways in which the UK is ahead of Europe but I don't think this is really what they were hoping for.
Still, it's something we're 'world beating' in at least.
Additional words by Claire Reid.
Topics: Health, Sex and Relationships
Joe Harker