Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep - Genito-urinary function
Key points
- Genito-urinary function Sleep-related erections (nocturnal penile tumescence) develop rapidly during REM sleep, and may persist into NREM sleep.
- Their frequency is not affected by sexual abstinence or activity.
- Endocrine function This is considerably different during REM sleep compared to NREM sleep or wakefulness.
- Immunological function This is different during sleep compared to wakefulness, but there are no known specific effects of REM sleep.
Genito-urinary function
Sleep-related erections (nocturnal penile tumescence) develop rapidly during REM sleep, and may persist into NREM sleep.
Their frequency is not affected by sexual abstinence or activity. There is little change in their frequency with age, even in the elderly, and they may occur in prepubertal children.
Endocrine function
This is considerably different during REM sleep compared to NREM sleep or wakefulness.
Immunological function
This is different during sleep compared to wakefulness, but there are no known specific effects of REM sleep.
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Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
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