Nocturnal emission - meaning and definition
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Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.
Definition
A nocturnal emission, or wet dream, is ejaculation or genital arousal that happens during sleep. It is a normal part of puberty and can continue into adulthood.
At a glance
- A nocturnal emission, or wet dream, is ejaculation or genital arousal during sleep.
- It is a normal part of puberty and can continue into adulthood.
- It happens involuntarily, sometimes with a sexual dream and sometimes without.
- People with a vulva can also experience arousal or orgasm during sleep.
- Wet dreams are harmless, and frequency usually decreases with age.
In detail
Wet dreams are most common in the teenage years as hormone levels rise, and they happen involuntarily, sometimes with a sexual dream and sometimes without. People with a vulva can also experience arousal or orgasm during sleep.
They are harmless and not a sign of illness or of anything a person did wrong. Some people have them often, others rarely or never. Frequency usually decreases with age.
In a sentence
- The puberty book reassured readers that wet dreams are common and nothing to be embarrassed about.
- The school nurse explained what a nocturnal emission is in the Year 8 health class.
Where the word comes from
Nocturnal comes from Latin nocturnus, of the night. The everyday name wet dream is much more widely used.
Common questions
Are wet dreams normal?
Yes. They are a normal part of puberty and can continue into adulthood. They happen involuntarily and are not a sign of illness or of anything a person did wrong.
Is it normal never to have wet dreams?
Yes. Some people have them often, others rarely or never. Both are normal.