Best sexologist Dr Vijay Dahiphale The Unexpected Sleep Orgasm – Exploring Nightfall Sleep is meant to be a period of rest and relaxation. We dream, we rejuvenate and we wake up refreshed. But for some, especially if you are a man, you may experience this phenomenon called nightfall. You may wake up from a wet dream in the morning wondering what that wet patch on your bed sheet is. What exactly happened? Nightfall is also known as nocturnal emissions or night discharges. Your body has experienced a spontaneous orgasm during your sleep. This is a natural process which usually does not involve a physical stimulus but does involve an involuntary ejaculation during the night sleep. Nightfall is mostly experienced amongst teenagers who have just reached sexual maturation. However, it occurs in some adult men as well. Studies report that over 83% of men have experienced at least one nocturnal emission at some point in their lifetime. The frequency of emission varies from man to man. Sometimes, a functional erection may still be there when you wake up. It is also possible for you to sleep through the entire process or wake up just after you’ve had the orgasm. Nightfall during teenage years If you are an adolescent reading this, you don’t have much to worry about. Regular emissions are common and nothing for you to worry about. When you hit puberty, your testosterone levels increase. This stimulates your sex drive, helps in the production of sperm and in the process of ejaculation. As a teen, you are going to have a lot of questions. There is a lot of curiosity about sex, especially if adults do not discuss it and sex becomes a topic of taboo. This is also a time when masturbation and sex dreams become frequent activities. There is also exposure to various erotic materials which can also stimulate the teenage mind and it is common to replay this through sexual dreams. Nightfall is commonly experienced this way and may or may not be accompanied by a wet dream. Nightfall can cause confusion and anxiety during this period as you may not be familiar with your body and its sexual functioning. Myths about nightfall There are many misconceptions about nocturnal emission. They are: Nightfall is a rare phenomenon. It afflicts only people who are unnaturally preoccupied with sex. It happens only to non vegetarians. It can cause erectile dysfunction. It reduces your sperm count and affects sexual performance. When does nightfall become a problem? Nightfall is regular amongst adolescents but as an adult, if it happens too often, it is always better to speak to your physician about it. If you feel it is affecting your quality of life, and if you are experiencing other symptoms like a burning sensation during or after urination, leg or back cramps or an inability to concentrate due to fatigue, then discuss these symptoms with your doctor. Causes of Nightfall Nocturnal emissions can have multiple causes and it is difficult to pinpoint one specific cause for it. Some of the reasons are: Increase in testosterone – This is usually the main cause for teenage boys. The spike in testosterone levels increases the chances of having nocturnal emissions. Rubbing of genital against bed sheet – While sleeping, if your penis shaft rubs against a pillow or bed sheet, it can trigger an erection. This will automatically result in an ejaculation. You may not even wake up during this entire scene. Sensual dreams – During sleep, there is intense brain activity. More blood flow happens and the nervous system gets excited through physiological arousal and you have a wet dream followed by an ejaculation. Sexual inactivity – If you are sexually inactive, it is possible that the excess semen may come out during sleep. This is also a natural way for your body to relieve itself of the buildup of sexual energy. Weakness of nerves – Your genitals and reproductive system are connected to your brain and they work in tandem for all sexual activity. When nerves get weakened, this connectivity can get disturbed. This can cause excessive nightfall as you may experience some difficulty in ejaculating during climax. The stored semen then comes out during sleep. Certain medications taken for health reasons such as tranquilizers or sedatives may cause nightfall for adult men. Watching erotic content excessively can cause the nervous system to get stimulated really fast, especially if this happens before bedtime. This could result in sexual dreams and consequent ejaculations during sleep. If you are experiencing nightfall, do not be embarrassed. There are different treatment options available for you to get your sound sleep back. Treatment for Nightfall The main treatment for excessive nightfall involves taking medication or using home remedies. Nightfall is not a major medical ailment and is often taken care of with lifestyle modifications and relaxation. If you are on any medications that are increasing your testosterone levels, then ask your doctor to reduce the dosage or change the medication if you are experiencing excessive nightfall. Cut down on watching or reading erotic content before sleeping. Certain home remedies have proven to be beneficial in regulating this problem. Consuming a mixture of fenugreek and honey, yoghurt, gourd juice, garlic, sage tea and gooseberry can be tried. If alternate medicine is something you want to consider, homeopathy and Ayurveda offer some excellent medications as well. Relaxation is very important. Take a warm bath with essential oils before sleeping. Do not be embarrassed to discuss about this with your partner or loved ones. If you are experiencing any anxiety related to this, you can talk to a sex therapist if needed. Make lifestyle modifications such as avoiding spicy food and coffee, exercising and urinating before bedtime. Conclusion Nightfall is normal and only needs to be checked if it happens excessively. Getting the right treatment gets you back that refreshing sleep without any worries. Best sexologist in mumbai