Is Nightfall A Disease? Breaking Taboos Surrounding Male Sexual Health

Think of nightfall (also called nocturnal emissions or wet dreams) like a pressure valve on a pressure cooker. When things get too steamy, the valve releases some of that pressure to keep everything safe. Your body does the same thing during puberty when your hormones are all over the place. 

During adolescence, an increase in sexual hormones occurs, which can lead to increased sexual arousal. When this happens, your body sometimes lets out some extra semen when you’re asleep. This is your body’s way of keeping everything balanced. So don’t be embarrassed! Instead, let’s understand what causes nightfall, the myths around it, and when you might need to talk to a doctor.

Nightfall, or nocturnal emission, is the involuntary ejaculation of semen during sleep. While it can also occur in females, it is more common among males. During puberty, when secondary sex organs are developing, a surge of hormones leads to increased sexual arousal. Sexual arousal during sleep may be accompanied by sexual dreams and stimulation of the genitals — from rubbing against bed sheets or pillows — which can result in more blood flow to the genitals. The body then releases some semen, which exceeds its capacity to hold.

Semen is formed inside the male reproductive organs continuously. The body has only a fixed capacity to hold semen, and old semen is required to be removed through masturbation or sex to accommodate newly formed semen. When there is an excess of sperm, the body naturally removes it through ejaculation. However, several factors that can influence the frequency and occurrence of nightfall are:

• Excessive masturbation can weaken the parasympathetic nerves involved in erection, leading to premature ejaculation and sperm leakage.
• Low sexual activity can lead to excess build-up of old semen, which gets released through nightfall.
• Going to sleep with a full bladder can stimulate reproductive organs and may lead to nightfall.
• Too much exposure to sexual content can cause sexual arousal and nightfall.
• Obesity can put extra pressure on the abdominal and bladder regions, which can stimulate the reproductive organs and result in nightfall.
• Stress-induced nightfall occurs during random eye movement (REM) sleep when most dreams occur. Higher stress levels may result in sleep disruptions and a rise in REM sleep.

Nightfall is common for many in their late teens and twenties and usually lessens as one gets older. While it's not a health problem, it can impact how you feel in your body and mind because of myths and misunderstandings. Here are some things you may deal with if nightfall happens:

• Premature ejaculation: This is often the main sign, and it can happen when you are either sleeping or having erotic dreams.
• Trouble sleeping: It can lead to disturbed sleep, as some men may wake up after ejaculation, which can affect daily functioning
• Feelings of embarrassment: The taboos around nightfall can cause embarrassment and low self-worth since many don’t talk about it.

Due to a dearth of reliable information online regarding nightfall, most men believe the myths associated with it. 

Common myths include:

• Myth: Nightfall is a sign of illness.
  Reality: It is usually a normal part of male sexuality, though it can occasionally relate to underlying medical problems.
• Myth: It shrinks the male sex organ.
  Reality: Nightfall does not affect the size of the male sex organ.
• Myth: It lowers immunity and causes weakness.
  Reality: Nightfall does not impact immunity or cause weakness.
• Myth: It reduces sperm count and causes infertility.
  Reality: Nightfall releases stored semen but does not affect sperm count or fertility.
• Myth: It leads to impotency.
  Reality: Nightfall does not cause impotence; any related issue is often psychological. Men who believe it weakens them may suffer from psychological stress and performance anxiety, affecting their sexual confidence.

Nightfall is a common issue that can benefit men by removing old semen. But it should only happen infrequently. Nightfall with a higher frequency is concerning and could lead to the following issues:

• Overproduction of semen with thin consistency
• Prostate inflammation
• Pain in the legs
• Irritation while urinating
• Erectile dysfunction

“Nightfall is good, not bad. You can prevent nightfall by having sex with your partner or masturbating. But if the issue still persists, then visit a good sexologist,” says Dr Karthik Gunasekaran, MBBS, MS General Surgery, Sexologist, Mumbai.

Nightfall is not a disease, and almost all males experience it at some point. It is a sign of good reproductive health and helps ease sexual tension in men. However, if this occurs too frequently, it can be a cause for concern. If having nightfall is affecting your mental and physical well-being, you should consider the following natural remedies:

• Adopt a healthy lifestyle by regularly exercising, eating a balanced diet, and getting adequate sleep.
• Limit exposure to sexually stimulating content before bedtime.
• Practise yoga and meditation before bedtime to relax.
• Empty your bladder before sleeping to reduce stimulation and nightfall.
• If you feel the frequency is too much — see a doctor. 

Nightfall (also called wet dreams) is totally normal and usually happens because of puberty and hormonal changes. But if it’s happening a lot or making you feel stressed, it’s okay to look into ways to reduce it. Pop culture, like movies and TV shows, can also be used to educate people and encourage open discussions about sexual health issues. The stigma around nightfall also needs to be broken so that men can talk about these concerns without feeling embarrassed. If you are also among those who are experiencing nightfall, always remember that it’s a typical body process. Don’t hesitate to seek support and discuss your concerns with a health professional.

No, nightfall only releases old semen, and the production of sperm continues, so it does not affect fertility. 

No, nightfall itself does not lead to impotency. Any related issue is often psychological. Men who believe it weakens them may suffer from psychological stress and performance anxiety, affecting their sexual confidence.

Ejaculation of old semen helps in the formation of new, healthy semen and promotes reproductive health.