Some Characteristics of Nocturnal Penile Tumescence during Puberty

Abstract

ExtractThis paper presents a study of nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) and the relation of this phenomenon to stage J rapid eye movement (REM) sleep for a group of pubertal males. Ten subjects, ages 12.8 to 15.3 years, slept in the laboratory for three consecutive nights. Electroencephalograms, electrooculograms, and measurements of penile erections were recorded.The average tumescence time per night was 158.99 min; average REM time was 137.07 min. Average simultaneous REM and tumescence per night was 101.89 min. These subjects averaged 6.85 tumescence episodes/night, and, of these, 5.15 occurred during a REM period. Tumescence episodes during REM averaged 30.77 min in duration, whereas episodes which occurred when no REM was present averaged 11.75 min. All subjects had at least four REM periods per night and at least three tumescence episodes. No subject had more than 6 REM periods or more than 11 tumescence episodes.The amount of penile tumescence during a night's sleep was found to be less subject to the first night effect than was total sleep time, which indicates the strength of the underlying process controlling tumescence. Two components of NPT were described: a high probability component (maximum tumescence during REM), and a variable probability component (all nonmaximum and non-REM tumescence). Although the results indicated that there is a close relation between REM and tumescence, no simple cause and effect relation between the two phenomena was apparent.NPT seems to be a complex process with multiple functions. Although it may play a role in sexual development, it may be only partially related to the sexual activity of the mature male. Speculation

Significance of Full Nocturnal Erections with Short Duration

“…Our cut-off values for mainte nance flow and pressure decay were similar to values reported by others [14,15]. In addition, in our patients with corporeal veno-occlusive dysfunction, high values of cavemosal artery end-diastolic velocity, which have been NPT has been shown to be present from birth to senes cence [9,10], and erections during the REM sleep are found invariably in healthy male subjects of all ages [11], Polysomnographie recording of nocturnal erections has been subsequently considered an extremely reliable tool for the differential diagnosis of organic and psychogenic impotence. However, the assessment of NPT and rigidity can often detect borderline findings for which a precise diagnosis cannot be made.…”

Sleep-Related Painful Erections: A Meta-Analysis on the Pathophysiology and Risks and Benefits of Medical Treatments

“…26,39 SREs are already present in infant boys but eventually become more prolonged and rigid during puberty. 40 The frequency and rigidity of SREs increase after testosterone supplementation in hypogonadal men. 41e44 In addition, there is an increase of serum testosterone levels during the non-REM to REM sleep transition, parallel to the development of an SRE.…”

Sleep Related Erections Throughout the Ages

“…During a normal night of sleep, humans usually have about four or five periods of REM sleep attended by dreams and penile or clitoral erections. SRE is at its peak during puberty, constituting just over 30% of sleep in 13‐ to 15‐year‐old boys and decreasing to 20% in men between ages 60–69 [1–4]. This means that the duration and intensity of SREs is a function of age.…”