Wet dreams were common for most of us during puberty. Many of us can remember the awkward mornings during adolescence, waking up to the confusion of what happened during the night. Was it all a dream? Was it just your imagination?

A wet dream, formally known as nocturnal emission, is defined as a spontaneous occurrence of sexual arousal during sleep that includes ejaculation and orgasm for a male, and vaginal lubrication and orgasm for a female.

We all accept it as a regular part of growing up (and it is), but why does it happen, and why so frequently during our teens? 

Up to 83% of men experience nocturnal emissions at some time during their lives, most occurring during puberty. For women, only 37% have said they had experienced a wet dream, like men, mainly during puberty.

Wet dreams are natural and very common as we develop into adulthood, but why do they happen, and can they be avoided? 

Firstly, they are brought on by the rapid change and increase of hormones during puberty. For men, testosterone and for women, oestrogen and progesterone. This spikes sexual interest in general and, therefore, can creep into the unconscious too.

They occur during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep, which is when dreaming occurs. The process that begins the wet dream begins in the hypothalamus, the gland in your brain responsible for emitting hormones. 

The next part of the brain involved is the frontal cortex, which is the part of your brain responsible for decision-making and social behaviour. When it is less active during sleep, dreams can often become more vivid and more sensual.  

Dopamine is what causes the pleasure within a wet dream. When experiencing sexual dreams, dopamine levels rise and can lead to heightened pleasure and often lead to a physical response, eg, ejaculation or lubrication.

Here are some simple steps to clean up:

1. Remove any clothing with semen or vaginal discharge on and put into a wahing basket or straight into the washing machine
2. Clean the outside of the penis or vulva and the surrounding area with warm water. 
3. Dry gently with a clean towel and change into new, dry clothes.

If there is semen or discharge on the sheets, a person may also want to change their bedding.

Wet dreams are never something to feel embarrassed or guilty about; they are completely natural and happen to most people. Just because your friends haven’t spoken about having one doesn’t mean you are the only one. 

So next time you wake up wet, remember, it’s totally normal. Wet dreams for both men and women are a way for your hormone levels to regulate and can be a sign of a functioning sexual system.

However, if they regularly affect your sleep quality, it is advised to talk to a GP. 

Find more stories like this:

• Does an orgasm help you sleep?
• Sex dreams part 2