Urologist François Peinado warns: "Not all nocturnal erections are healthy."

Urologist and male sexual medicine specialist François Peinado has urged that erections that disrupt sleep and cause pain not be normalized , as they may be a condition called sleep-related painful erection syndrome (SRPE), which requires medical attention.

"Not all nocturnal erections are healthy: some can be painful, persistent, and highly disruptive to the patient's quality of life," said Peinado, who warns that SRPE is still little known outside the urological field and, therefore, is underdiagnosed.

As he explained, affected men can go months or even years without a clear diagnosis , believing it to be stress or prostatitis, when in fact it is a specific urological syndrome for which effective treatment exists.

SPR may be due to an imbalance in dopaminergic neurotransmission, pelvic floor muscle disorders, or even the use of certain medications. Diagnosis is based on a detailed clinical interview and sometimes also requires a sleep study.

Regarding treatment , the doctor explained that options range from muscle relaxants to mild hormone blockers, as well as specialized pelvic floor physiotherapy. "Each case can be treated in a personalized and conservative manner before considering more complex options," Peinado emphasized.

Thus, he emphasized the importance of raising awareness about this disorder to prevent affected men from suffering in silence. "A healthy sex life starts with good rest. And if nocturnal erections are painful, they shouldn't be normalized; they should be treated," he concluded.