Dear Franglish92654,

Most healthy men often wake up in the morning with an erection, no matter what the weather is like outside. Men have several erections a night as part of their sleep cycle. Many times they wake up and find they are still erect.

A man's penis becomes erect in response to sexual arousal and excitement, but it can also become erect as a result of deep relaxation, such as what's experienced in deep sleep — with or without dreams.

An erection is caused by a rush of blood into the penis. When the body is very relaxed cavities in the tissue of a man's penis open to allow blood to flow in.

A man's penis, especially a young man's penis, can also become erect without any kind of arousing stimulation — this is called a "spontaneous erection."

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.