Find out what wet dreams are and why they happen.
If you’ve ever woken up and found a wet patch on your sheets or pyjamas and know that it’s not urine or sweat, then chances are you’ve had a wet dream. A wet dream is when a male ejaculates while they’re asleep. This could be because they’re having an arousing dream but this isn’t always the case. Wet dreams are perfectly normal and nothing to be embarrassed about. It can happen to females, too – women can orgasm in their sleep without even knowing about it and this is also referred to as a wet dream.
Why Is It Called A ‘Wet Dream’?
It’s called a wet dream because of the wet semen that’s ejaculated. It can be less ‘wet’ for females, but they often experience increased vaginal fluids and/or orgasm. A wet dream is also known as a sex dream, nocturnal emission or sleep orgasm.
What Causes Wet Dreams?
Puberty is a key factor – wet dreams tend to happen a lot more during puberty because your hormones are all over the place. While you can still experience wet dreams as an adult, they tend to happen less frequently because your hormones are more settled. And, as we mentioned earlier, erotic dreams can trigger ejaculation and orgasm, but it can also happen when you’re dreaming about something completely boring.
Can I Prevent Wet Dreams?
There’s no guaranteed way to prevent wet dreams but some people swear that masturbating before bed helps to reduce accidental ejaculation through the night. While wet dreams can be embarrassing, it can help to keep in mind that they will reduce naturally as you get older and that they’re a perfectly natural part of growing up.
Am I Having Too Many Wet Dreams?
Everyone is different – some people will have lots of wet dreams while others will have very few or none at all. There is nothing unhealthy about having wet dreams, including how many (or few) you have. You’ll probably notice that you have less and less wet dreams as you age.
Dealing With Wet Dreams
Wet dreams are a normal, healthy part of puberty and growing up. If you’re feeling embarrassed or worried about making a mess or waking up to wet, sticky sheets, it can help to keep a clean towel or wipes near your bed. If you’re staying over at someone’s house, you might want to pack an extra set of clean underwear and PJs, just in case.
Remember – wet dreams are completely natural and nearly everyone you’ve ever met has probably experienced it at least once in their life. Like many changes during puberty, they won’t cause you any harm but they may cause you the odd wave of embarrassment.
