Nocturnal Emission: What it Is and What Causes It

You’re sleeping deeply in the middle of the night and, suddenly, you have an orgasm caused by a pleasant dream and you wet your clothes. This common scene for many people is known as nocturnal emission or a wet dream.

Nocturnal emission isn’t a problem. It’s a simple reaction to a physical need, usually caused by a mental image. Although having sleep orgasms is neither good nor bad, they do puzzle many people.

Nocturnal emission: why it occurs

Experts haven’t established a clear cause of nocturnal emission, although they associate it with high testosterone levels. One study found that men with high testosterone levels are more prone to nocturnal orgasms. However, 13% of volunteers with normal levels also experienced wet dreams.

Other studies suggest that long periods of abstinence can also cause nocturnal emission. “If you don’t have a sexual release of any kind, you’ll have more nocturnal emissions,” says psychologist and sexologist Marelize Swart.

Generally, nocturnal emission occurs during REM sleep. During that phase, the body oxygenates more and there’s more blood flow to the genitals, which produces an erection in man or arousal of the clitoris in women, which favors stimulation and orgasm.

You should also read: Do You Suffer from Retrograde Ejaculation?

Do women experience wet dreams?

Indeed, nocturnal emission isn’t an exclusive experience of men. In a study published in Diarios de Estudios Sexuales, 37% of women under age 21 reported having orgasms while they slept.

Much earlier, in 1953, the controversial Kinsey Reports estimated that 70% of women have had sleep orgasms at some point in their lives.

However, the nocturnal secretion of vaginal fluids isn’t necessarily accompanied by an orgasm. For men, nocturnal emission always causes ejaculation. Vaginal discharge in women means that there’s sexual arousal, but it can happen without reaching orgasm.

Does nocturnal emission occur only in adolescence?

No, wet dreams don’t have an expiration age. While there’s sexual activity, they may occur. Nocturnal emission is most common during adolescence because there are more hormonal changes during that stage. In adulthood, the hormones are more stable and wet dreams are more rare.

Do you have to have an erotic dream to have a nocturnal emission?

Usually it’s accompanied by erotic dreams, but that isn’t a condition. There may be ejaculation without an erotic dream and even without remembering any dream.

Having an orgasm while you sleep can also be caused by external stimuli such as the friction of the sheets or clothing with the genitals. A study published by the American Psychological Association suggests that sleeping on your stomach could favor nocturnal emission.

You can also have an erotic dream that ends in orgasm without it causing a nocturnal emission, even if you have an erection.

Discover: Dry Orgasm: What Is it and Why Does it Happen?

Is not having nocturnal emissions indicative of any problem?

Not all people have wet dreams, and that’s as normal as having them. Having or not having wet dreams is no indication of any sexual dysfunction.

Some people have never had wet dreams and have normal sex and orgasms. There’s no direct relationship between nocturnal emissions and each person’s sex life.

Also, some people have wet dreams but can’t reach orgasm during sex. Some psychologists believe that this is because, during sleep, no psychological inhibitors that prevent orgasm when there’s a state of consciousness manifest.

Can you control nocturnal emissions?

Nocturnal orgasms are completely involuntary. Thus, there’s no way to avoid them or make them occur. Studies from McGill University in Canada consider that you can control your dreams in general, but research doesn’t show clear evidence that this is possible.

As you can see, nocturnal emission isn’t a problem. But if you have any concerns, it’s always advisable to consult a specialist to clear your doubts.

The Relationship between Mental Health and Anorgasmia

Mental health is closely related to sexual enjoyment, which is why it's important to pay attention to situations that can alter you and cause anorgasmia. Read more »

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