What are wet dreams?
Wet dreams, scientifically known as nocturnal ejaculation, sleep orgasm, sex dreams, nightfall or nocturnal emissions, is the involuntary release of sperm during sleep, in the case of men, and vaginal secretions, in the case of women, which may or may not be accompanied by erotic dreams and, in the case of women, there may not be an orgasm.
Wet dreams are ejaculations and orgasms that occur while a person is sleeping. They can happen to men of all ages, but are more common during the early years of puberty in young adolescence.
Almost all men will experience wet dreams at the same time, which are often called wet dreams, and are considered a normal part of sexual development.
Ejaculations during sleep are most common during puberty, between the ages of 12 and 18. For many young adults it is one of the first signs that puberty has started.
Most scientists agree that there is no set trigger that causes wet dream. While increased masturbation appears to have an effect on the frequency of wet dreams, the correlation between the two is not absolute.
Many young people masturbate frequently and continue to experience wet dreams, although they usually have fewer events. Conversely, some men rarely have them even if they don’t masturbate regularly.
Ejaculations during sleep are often linked to erotic dreams, but just like the frequency of masturbation, there is no direct link between the two. Some men will have vivid erotic dreams that lead to spontaneous orgasm, while others will regularly have erotic dreams but will never have a wet dreams.
Some may wake up during their wet dreams, but it is just as common to sleep completely. Others may not even achieve an erection during a wet dreams. It just varies from person to person.
Although wet dreams are generally believed to be a strictly male phenomenon, women can also experience them. Just like men, women can have erotic dreams and they can sometimes lead to orgasm. Unlike men, the evidence of a female orgasm during sleep is less obvious and therefore not discussed as much.
Additionally, women tend to have fewer wet dreams than men because their genitals are usually less susceptible to touch and stimulation during sleep than male genitals.
Most doctors and child psychologists will say that a parent shouldn’t berate a child for experiencing wet dreams since he has no control over them. If a child asks about wet dreams, doctors usually recommend that the parent explain that they are a normal part of growing up.
A young adult entering puberty is often aware of the changes his body is going through. They should be reassured that what they are experiencing is not unusual and that others of their age are very likely to have nocturnal wet dreams as well.
This situation is considered normal and common to happen in adolescence and young adults, especially when they do not have an active sex life, but it can also happen in people of any age who have been without sexual intercourse for many days.
Due to the fact that it is a considered and common situation, it is not necessary to undergo treatment, however, to reduce the number of episodes of wet dreams, it may be advisable to have more frequent safe sex, for example.
Causes of wet dreams
Wet dreams seems to be related to prolonged sexual abstinence, fatigue, erotic dreams, excessive tiredness, tightness in the foreskin or even an inflammation of the prostate, and it happens during the REM sleep phase, in which nervous activity is more intense and may result in arousal and ejaculation.
In adolescence, it is very common for men to suffer from this nocturnal emission, as they have very high levels of testosterone in the body, which causes an increase in sperm production and, consequently, the need to release excess from the body.
In the case of women, although uncommon, it is possible to have cases of nocturnal emissions, however the causes are still not very well understood. In this case, it is possible that there is release of vaginal fluids during sleep, however this does not necessarily indicate that there was an orgasm, it may just be a sign that there was arousal, which may or may not have been accompanied by erotic dreams.
Frequent episodes of involuntary leakage of sperm or vaginal lubrication during sleep can be detrimental to health because in some cases it can result in:
- Depression;
- Low concentration;
- Lack of sexual appetite;
- Increased urge to urinate.
In these cases, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician, urologist or gynecologist, according to age, to assess the situation and verify that there are no other associated diseases.
Treatment for wet dreams
Generally, no specific type of treatment for nocturnal emission is indicated, as it is considered a normal situation. However, increased sexual activity, as well as masturbation, can help reduce the number of episodes.
In addition, increasing consumption of garlic, onions or ginger and drinking fruit juices, such as pineapple or plums, also seems to improve blood circulation, decreasing episodes of wet dreams.
However, in cases where wet dreams directly interferes with the person’s quality of life, it is important to consult a sexologist or psychologist so that these issues can be worked on and there can be a reduction in the emission episodes.
How to prevent wet dreams
1. Avoid sleeping on your stomach to reduce the chances of wet dreams.
Lying on your stomach is more likely to experience wet dreams. Try sleeping on your side or back to prevent them. Use pillows or an extra blanket to avoid rolling back onto your stomach.
- Tossing and turning in your sleep is normal, so don’t be discouraged if you wake up on your stomach. Perhaps your body is just comfortable sleeping this way.
Tip: Some people recommend lying on your side, but there is no guarantee that this will help.
In some (but not all) cases, stress can cause wet dreams. You may be able to prevent them by dealing with stress and relaxing before bed. Spend at least one hour before bed soothing your mind and body.
2. Relax before bed so you don’t feel stressed.
- Try meditating for 10-15 minutes. You can simply focus on your breath or follow the instructions for meditation.
- Write down your thoughts in a personal journal.
- Read a book.
- Do some yoga poses .
3. Masturbate regularly to reduce the body’s need to rid itself of old semen.
While this does not provide any guarantees, it may help stop wet dreams. The semen can accumulate in the testes and ultimately be reabsorbed by the body. At the same time, you may have wet dreams if your body wants to get rid of old sperm. Masturbation will help keep fluids in check, which will reduce the chances of wet dreams.
- Try masturbating right before bed to reduce the chance of wet dreams.
- Masturbating is completely normal, so don’t be shy about it.
- If you still get wet dreams on a regular basis, even if you masturbate, this is probably not the method for you.
4. Develop a healthy relationship with having sex if you are sexually active.
Communicate with your partner to maintain a healthy, open, satisfying sexual relationship for both of you. Discuss what safe sex means to both of you. While not everyone can help stop wet dreams, sex can make it less likely to occur.
- As a rule, wet dreams are not associated with arousal, so it’s not about sexual release. As with masturbation, releasing accumulated semen simply reduces the chances of you having wet dreams.
5. Talk to a counselor if wet dreams make you worried.
While there is nothing to be ashamed about, it’s normal to get upset or embarrassed about wet dreams. Fortunately, with the help of a psychologist, you can provide yourself with peace of mind. A professional can help you understand your feelings and use strategies to deal with them. With it, you can also work out the reasons why you are worried about wet dreams.
- Look for a psychologist online or ask your doctor for advice.
6. Drink sage tea in the evening to help the body relax.
Ayurvedic diets sometimes drink sage tea in the evening to help them sleep and relax. As a result, it also reduces the likelihood of emissions. However, there is no evidence that this treatment works, as it works individually for each person.
- To make a decoction, heat a kettle of water until you see bubbles forming at the bottom. Then fill the sage tea bag with water and leave for two to three minutes.
7. Chew two to three cloves of garlic before bed to reduce blood flow to your genitals.
Garlic contains allicin, which reduces the amount of blood flowing to the genital area. This will help prevent erections so you won’t have wet dreams.
However, there is no guarantee that this will work. To try this method, eat two to three raw garlic cloves right before bed.
- Garlic has a distinct flavor, especially if eaten raw. This may not work for you if you don’t like the taste of garlic.
8. Add a spoonful of honey to a mixture of equal parts fenugreek and celery.
Measure out about half a cup (120 ml) of fenugreek juice and mix it with about half a cup (120 ml) of celery juice. Then add a spoonful of honey to taste. Drink the mixture in the evening before bed. It will help cool the body, but there is no guarantee that it will prevent wet dreams.
- This drink is believed to help maintain a healthy reproductive system.
9. Try a warm essential oil bath to unwind before bed.
Take a warm bath, and then add a few drops of relaxing essential oil to it. Mint, lavender, sandalwood, or rose oil are great options. Soak in the bath for at least 20-30 minutes to relax.
- Relaxation can help reduce the chances of wet dreams. However, there is no guarantee that this will work.
