Clitoral Erection: Rem Sleep's Arousing Mystery

Nocturnal clitoral tumescence, colloquially known as morning bean, is the scientific term for the clitoris becoming erect during sleep. During Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, there is a shift in the dominant system that is activated, from sympathetic (fight and flight) stimulation to parasympathetic (rest and digest) stimulation. This shift drives the parasympathetic nerve response that results in the clitoris becoming erect. This occurs spontaneously and does not require the person to be awake.

Clitoral erections during REM sleep are spontaneous

Nocturnal clitoral tumescence, or "morning bean", is a spontaneous clitoral erection that occurs during REM sleep. During REM sleep, there is a shift in the dominant system that is activated, moving from sympathetic (fight or flight) stimulation to parasympathetic ("rest and digest") stimulation. This shift drives the parasympathetic nerve response that results in the clitoral erection.

During REM sleep, there is a shift in hormone balance as the brain needs to quell active functions for restful ones. This hormonal shift leads to increased blood flow to the groin, resulting in a clitoral erection. The clitoris, like the penis, has erectile tissue that responds to hormonal changes. Pulses of blood flow into the vagina cause the clitoris to engorge, and vaginal sensitivity and fluidity increase.

While clitoral erections during REM sleep are spontaneous, they can also be influenced by other factors. Testosterone, which is at its highest level in the morning, has been shown to enhance the frequency of nocturnal erections. Additionally, a full bladder can stimulate nerves in the same region as the nerves that control clitoral erections, so a full bladder may also contribute to clitoral erections during sleep.

They are caused by increased blood flow to the groin

Nocturnal clitoral tumescence, or "morning bean", is a natural phenomenon that occurs during REM sleep. During this sleep phase, there is a shift in the body's hormone balance as the brain suppresses active functions to allow for rest. This shift leads to increased blood flow to the groin, resulting in clitoral engorgement and erection.

The clitoris, like the penis, has erectile tissue that responds to hormonal changes. When we sleep, our bodies go through several cycles of REM sleep, during which we dream. During REM sleep, certain areas of the brain are activated, including those responsible for stimulating parasympathetic nerves and suppressing sympathetic nerves. This shift in balance drives the parasympathetic nerve response that results in the clitoral erection.

While the penis and clitoris share the same embryonic origin, the size difference is significant. The clitoral erection is much more subtle and less noticeable than the penile erection. However, it is a normal and healthy response to being aroused, and it can occur even in the absence of conscious sexual stimulation.

During REM sleep, the level of blood supply to the vagina increases significantly, as high as during sexual intercourse. Pulses of blood flow into the vagina, causing the clitoris to engorge, and vaginal sensitivity and lubrication increase. This can lead to a physiological response in the form of an orgasm. While it is difficult to measure, some estimate that women can orgasm up to 30% of the time during these episodes.

The occurrence of nocturnal clitoral tumescence is not well understood and has been understudied compared to its male counterpart. This may be due to the subtlety of the clitoral erection or the historical taboo surrounding female sexuality. However, understanding this natural phenomenon can help reassure women that what they are experiencing is healthy and normal.

They can occur 4-5 times a night

Nocturnal clitoral tumescence, or "morning bean", is a natural phenomenon that occurs during sleep. During the REM sleep phase, when we dream, there is a shift in our hormone balance as the brain suppresses our active functions for restful ones. This shift leads to increased blood flow to the groin area, resulting in a clitoral erection. On average, people go through 4-5 REM stages per night, which means that clitoral erections can occur 4-5 times a night.

During these REM stages, the clitoris engorges with blood, leading to an increase in vaginal sensitivity and natural lubrication. This physiological response is often paired with an orgasm, and women are more likely to experience this during the dream phase. While it is difficult to measure, it is estimated that women can orgasm up to 30% of the time during these episodes.

The occurrence of clitoral erections during sleep is a normal and healthy phenomenon that can be a marker of sexual well-being. It is a spontaneous occurrence that does not require being awake and is influenced by hormonal changes. The counterpart phenomenon in men is more commonly known as "morning wood" or "nocturnal penile tumescence".

While the penis and the clitoris have the same embryonic origin and develop from the same structure, there is a significant size difference between the two organs. This may be why clitoral erections during sleep are less noticeable and less commonly discussed than penile erections. However, it is important to highlight that both men and women experience these sleep-related erections, and they are a natural part of human physiology.

They are often accompanied by orgasms

Nocturnal clitoral tumescence, or "morning bean", is a natural phenomenon that occurs during REM sleep. During this time, there is a shift in hormone balance as the brain suppresses active functions for more restful ones. This shift leads to increased blood flow to the groin area, resulting in a clitoral erection. While this physical response is similar to that of men, women also often experience an orgasm during the dream phase.

Dr Sergio Diez Alvarez, Director of Medicine at Maitland and Kurri Kurri Hospitals, University of Newcastle, explains that the level of blood supply to the vagina during sleep can increase significantly, sometimes as high as during sexual intercourse. This increased blood flow causes the clitoris to engorge, vaginal sensitivity to increase, and natural lubrication to occur. These physiological changes can result in an orgasm, with some women experiencing this 10-30% of the time during sleep.

While it is difficult to measure, and women may not always remember their dreams or the physical sensations upon waking, Dr Diez Alvarez states that it is possible to wake up with a real sensation of a sexual erotic experience. This is despite there being no correlation between this form of stimulation and the usual erotic stimulation that occurs when awake, as it is purely based on hormones.

The occurrence of sleep-related erections (SREs) has been known since antiquity, with references to them found in Plato's works. Throughout history, philosophers, theologians, physicians, psychoanalysts, and many others have shown interest in SREs. However, despite all the efforts to understand them, the mechanisms and functions of SREs are still not completely understood.

In modern times, the occurrence of nocturnal clitoral tumescence is much less researched and discussed than its male counterpart. This may be due to the subtlety of the female erection or the historical taboo surrounding female sexuality. Increasing research and awareness of this phenomenon could help reassure women that what they are experiencing is healthy and normal.

They are a natural and healthy response to arousal

Nocturnal clitoral tumescence, or "morning bean", is a natural and healthy response to arousal. During sleep, we go through several cycles of REM sleep, during which we dream. For this to happen, there is a shift in our hormone balance as our brain quiets our active functions for more restful ones. This shift in balance leads to increased blood flow to the groin, resulting in an erection. The clitoris becomes engorged, vaginal sensitivity increases, and vaginal lubrication occurs. This is a natural and healthy response, and it is important to understand that this is a normal part of a person's day-to-day life.

The clitoris and the penis have the same embryonic origin, meaning they are different organs developed from the same structure. They both have the same erectile tissue that responds to hormonal changes. During REM sleep, there is an increase in blood flow to the genitals, which can result in an erection. This occurs because certain areas of the brain are activated, including areas responsible for stimulating the parasympathetic nerves and suppressing the sympathetic nerves. This shift in balance drives the parasympathetic nerve response that results in the erection.

While the penis and the clitoris respond similarly to these changes, there is a difference in how men and women experience this physiologically. Women are more likely to have an orgasm during the dream phase, and this can happen even without any physical, visual, or aural stimulation. This is because the level of blood supply to the vagina during sleep can be as high as during sexual intercourse. As a result, women can wake up feeling aroused and wet, and may even have had an orgasm in their sleep.

It is worth noting that the experience of nocturnal clitoral tumescence can be subtle, and many women may not realise they are having a clitoral erection. This is because the clitoris is much smaller than the penis, and the erection mostly happens internally. However, there may be some noticeable changes, such as the clitoral hood pulling back and the external bud becoming more engorged and visible.

Nocturnal clitoral tumescence is a natural and healthy response to arousal. It is a normal part of a person's day-to-day life and can be a source of reassurance that their body is functioning properly.

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