Integrative and lifestyle medicine expert Luke Coutinho recently opened up about morning erections, emphasising that they are a “simple sign of good health and heart function.” “What you casually call morning wood is scientifically known as Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT) — and it’s not just a fluke. It’s a silent indicator of how well your heart, hormones, and nervous system are functioning. Yes, that morning stiffness is a sign of internal balance and vitality,” Coutinho noted in a detailed post on Instagram.*Your heart’s working fine: Erections depend on healthy blood vessels. If blood can flow well to your penis, it likely flows well to your heart, too.*Your testosterone is in check: Testosterone surges in the early morning. If you wake up erect, your hormones are probably balanced.*Your nervous system is relaxed: These erections happen during REM sleep, showing your parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) system is active — the same system that helps your body recover, digest, and heal.However, if you’re not waking up with morning wood regularly, Coutinho said it could be a sign that your body is waving a red flag.Possible reasons include poor sleep quality, stress or anxiety, medications (like antidepressants), low testosterone, vascular or cardiac issues, and nerve damage (e.g., from diabetes).Coutinho advised that every male should do:*30 mins of daily movement (cardio + strength)*7–8 hrs of quality deep sleep*Cutting down smoking/alcohol*Eating heart-smart, anti-inflammatory foods*Daily stress management (breathwork or mindfulness)Dr Sanjay Prakash J, consultant,icrosurgical andrologist and urologist, Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology Chennai, reflected on the same and gave us a deeper insight.Dr Sanjay stressed that morning erections indicate “healthy blood flow, hormone levels, and nerve function”. “They are a normal part of the male sleep cycle, often occurring during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. There is no need to panic or fret about this. The presence of regular morning erections usually indicates that the vascular and nervous systems are functioning properly, and testosterone levels are within a healthy range,” said Dr Sanjay.Story continues below this adHe also affirmed that morning erections are not always linked to sexual thoughts or desire; they’re more of a “natural body response during deep sleep stages”. “Their absence over time, especially in younger men, could signal issues such as low testosterone, stress, sleep disorders, or circulatory problems,” said Dr Sanjay. Here’s what you should consider (Photo: Freepik)According to Dr Sanjay, if morning erections become noticeably less frequent or stop altogether, it might be worth consulting a doctor to check for underlying health concerns. “In most cases, however, they’re a reassuring sign of good male reproductive health,” said Dr Sanjay.What to note?*Variability in morning erection could be an early indicator of endothelial dysfunction (endothelium is the innermost lining of blood vessels, indicating early circulatory dysfunction)*Erectile dysfunction is considered a premonitory sign of a future heart attack. Hence, it is better to seek early medical attention, said Dr Sanjay.Story continues below this adAlso Read | ‘Number 5 is super common’: Gastroenterologist lists signs that indicate your body might be missing key nutrients*A gradual decline in morning erections with increasing age is a normal physiological phenomenon*When to be concerned is if erectile dysfunction occurs in men less than 45 years and if associated with low libido, fatigue, and difficulty in maintaining erections.*Meet a qualified andrologist for these issues, suggested Dr Sanjay.DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.