A new study has suggested that men who get erections in the morning are less likely to die from heart disease or strokes.
The study, which was published in the journal Age and Ageing, involved scientists asking up to 1,800 middle-aged and older men in Belgium how often they got ‘morning glory.’
It was found that those who had morning erections were approximately 22 percent less likely to die from what is known as the major killers, which includes strokes.
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The study explained that researchers believe night-time erections are a sign of good circulation.
Dr Leen Antonio, lead researcher and assistant professor of endocrinology at Belgium's Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, said: “Erectile dysfunction and poor morning erections are associated with increased mortality."
“Loss of morning erections are a sign your arteries are not functioning properly," added Dr Geoff Hackett, the ex-president of the British Society for Sexual Medicine, when speaking to The Sun.
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“That means you are at significant risk of a heart attack or stroke within three to five years. This applies to celibate, single men — not just those who have a partner.”
If you’re wondering what causes nocturnal erections, then they occur during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep – essentially the phase where we dream.
Therefore, the reason why men wake up with an election could be related to the fact that we often wake up after coming out of REM sleep.
As there are several sleep cycles per night, men can experience up to five erections per night which can last between 20 and 30 minutes.
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However, erections are also possible for those men during non-REM sleep, especially in older men. The reason for this is unclear though.
But ‘morning glory’ clearly does not happen often for some men, with the Daily Mail also reporting that Boots have started selling their own-brand Viagra to help deal with the cost of living crisis.
They are selling four-pack impotence pills for £14.99, which are £5 cheaper than the original version.
Viagra contains sildenafil, which enables the blood vessels to expand and boost blood flow to the genitals.
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Boots say the decision hopes to ‘increase accessibility’ for men that have struggled with erectile dysfunction in the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
It is a move which has been welcomed by experts, who say it is ‘good news’ in helping to provide a cheaper over-the-counter option for men.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Health