Wet dreams or nightfall is a condition where men ejaculate in their sleep, usually late at night while they are still sleeping. Doctors call this nocturnal emission or sleep orgasm because men ejaculate seminal fluid at night. While wet dreams and nightfall are typically associated with young teenagers or adolescent boys, they are a common experience for most grown men too. Men undergo involuntary ejaculation of semen in a subconscious state while they are asleep.

If you have been experiencing nightfall, there isn’t much to worry about. There is nothing wrong with you. Nightfall and wet dreams are more common than you think. However, in some cases, nightfall may be accompanied by other medical concerns like erectile dysfunction, insomnia, infertility, etc. In a few cases, urine can also pass with semen. And, night sweats can occur too. If you suspect that your nightfall is due to some serious concern, the best thing to do is to visit a urologist. In this article, we have covered everything you need to know about nightfall, including what is nightfall and what are the causes of nightfall. Read on to know more! 

What Is Nightfall? 

“What is nightfall?” is a frequently asked question by most men. And, as we said, nightfall technically means the ejaculation of sperm at night when the body is asleep. It can occur either at late night or in the wee hours of the morning. Nightfall, also known as nocturnal emissions, in most cases is accompanied by wet dreams. 

Nightfall primarily occurs due to weak penile muscles, and the weakness of the penile muscles is usually caused by excessive masturbation, changes in hormone levels, a full bladder, or semen viscosity. Most people think of nightfall as a disease or a taboo. However, this is far from true. Nightfall is not a disease and it should be addressed.

When a man undergoes puberty, many hormonal changes occur. One of the most significant changes in men is hormonal changes and the development of sexual organs. As a result of these changes, boys may experience nightfall or the involuntary ejaculation of semen in their sleep. This might be in response to wet dreams or dreams about various sexual acts. 

Myths About Nightfall

We understand that your brain is flooded with concerns at the moment, and that’s why we are here. To address all the concerns, here are a few myths about nightfall. 

1. Nightfall does not reduce sperm count

Nightfall does not affect your sperm count. Instead, nightfall is a natural way for the testicles to remove old sperm and help with the formation of new healthy sperm in the body.

2. Wet dreams and nightfall happen only during puberty

While wet dreams and nightfall are most common in adolescents and teenage boys, they can also be experienced by grown adult men. 

3. Nightfall reduces a person’s immunity

Some people believe that wet dreams and nightfall are associated with a lower immune response to things such as colds or infections. However, this has no basis in science and is a myth. Nightfall is normal and in some cases, some amount of nightfall is healthy.

4. Nightfall is a sign of illness

This again is false. Nightfall isn’t a result of an underlying condition or medical illness. The opposite is true. Wet dreams are a normal occurrence and may be a sign of healthy sexual functioning.

5. Masturbation can prevent nightfall

While masturbating before bed can reduce the number of wet dreams a person experiences, it does not guarantee that a person won’t experience them. Research linking masturbation to nightfall and wet dreams is lacking. However, you can try it and see for yourself if it works. 

What is the Frequency of Nightfall? 

Normally, the frequency and discharge of nightfall vary from one person to another, the majority of men experience nightfall during their adolescence. But, in some cases, some men have to live with this condition throughout their whole lives.

Thus, medical attention is not needed unless it is accompanied by other symptoms or the symptoms continue to reappear for an extended time. 

Also Read: Should You Be Worried About Nightly Erections?

Causes Of Nightfall in Men 

As we said earlier, nightfall or nocturnal emissions is the body’s way of removing old sperm from the testicles and producing new healthy sperm. However, the most common causes of nightfall are:

Masturbating excessively or frequently

Nightfall can occur when a person masturbates excessively or too frequently. This results in the weakening of the parasympathetic nerve, which is responsible for maintaining an erection and locking the semen into the organ. This can also cause fluctuations in hormone levels and make men more susceptible to nightfall. 

When old semen needs to be released to produce and store new healthy semen

The most common cause of nightfall is the body’s natural response to release old semen and produce new semen. Usually, old sperm is discharged from the body after masturbation or sexual acts that lead to ejaculation. This makes space for new semen. 

However, when old sperm and semen aren’t released from the body by either of the acts, the body automatically releases old sperm to make space for producing and storing new semen. And, this usually occurs at night when the mind and body are asleep, thus relaxed. These are the two most common causes of wet dreams and nightfall in men. 

Symptoms and Signs of Nightfall

Some of the most commonly identified signs and symptoms of nightfall include:

1. Weakness in the body
2. Laziness
3. Premature ejaculation
4. Muscle cramping
5. Mood swings
6. Sleeplessness

The bottom line is that nightfall isn’t harmful or something you should be ashamed about. There are a few lifestyle changes you can make to reduce nightfall including masturbating a healthy amount, eating a fiber-rich balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep at night. And, if you face any psychological issues due to nightfall, it will be wise to start a conversation with a mental health professional. 

Also Read: 4 Signs That You Are Masturbating Too Much