Unwanted erections, or at least unintended ones, happen with frequency. Maybe you saw something that took your fancy or the friction from your favorite corduroys got a little out of hand and boom – your penis is at attention. However, sometimes you pop wood without having any real reason to point to. There’s no instigator, it just happens. This is a completely normal thing for all men, but some men may notice it happening more than once or twice, and sometimes it can be more serious than just a semi. Here’s a look at what causes unwanted erections and how to safely right the battleship.

Unwanted Erection Cause #1: Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT)

Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT), commonly known as “morning wood,” is one major cause of an unintended erection. Men experience up to five erections each night as they sleep as part of a normal restorative biological function. Some men will wake to find they are already hard when they wake up, even though it happened before they were conscious. These unwanted erections can also be a little persistent and won’t just settle down on their own. They can be caused by anything as simple as a sheet touching the penis or hormones still coursing through the body from the night before. NPT is more common for younger men, but it’s not exclusive only to them.

The fix: Pee, wait it out, or find a use for it.

Unwanted Erection Cause #2: Too Much Testosterone

Hormones majorly influence so much of how we feel and what our body does in the short and long run. They inform on everything from when to sleep to when it’s time to get some lovin’ to how to feel. Men with too much testosterone, also known as High T, can find themselves the recipient of unwanted erections. Now, testosterone levels will fluctuate over a man’s life, influenced both by age and environmental factors, so sometimes, the issue can fix itself given a little time.

The fix: Ask your doctor for a test to see if that’s causing all the extra erections.

Unwanted Erection Cause #3: Priapism

Priapisms are undoubtedly the most dangerous type of unwanted erection because it is caused by a blood clot in the penis that can last for hours. Unresolved, it can not only be extraordinarily painful but can also cause penile tissue to die. Men who have sickle cell anemia or regularly use male erection enhancers have a higher risk of priapism.

The Fix: A trip to the emergency room for a medication injection or draining blood from the penis are the only ways to remedy priapism.

How to Deal with Unwanted Erections

While erections are usually greeted with fanfare and excitement, sometimes they happen at inopportune times or you're just not in the mood. Here are a few strategies to use when you're not in the mood for a romp with a partner or yourself:

1) Move. Sometimes fabric rubbing against the penis can cause an erection. Shift your junk to see if it releases the mighty beast. If that doesn’t work, putting your hands in your pockets can help hide it until it goes away.

2) Don’t masturbate, meditate. Take a moment to close your eyes, take a few deep breathes, and just let it all go. Focus on the sound of your breath if your mind starts to wander. Biologically, meditation slows blood flow and relaxes blood vessels which allow the blood to drain from the penis.

3) What’s unsexy to you? It could be Margaret Thatcher, a dentist appointment, or a clingy ex. Think about whatever turns you off and it’ll turn down that boner.

4) When all else fails, find something bigger than it and cover it up. A messenger bag, laptop, book, or jacket are all good options.

Remember, unwanted erections happen to all men at some point in time. In fact, they can be a good indicator that things are working and healthy. To keep erections healthy and showing up (when you want them to), have a good daily penis health routine, including a penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) that’s specially created to nurture and fortify the penis. Apply a crème with nutrients like vitamins A, B, C, D, and E and essential amino acids like L-Carnitine and L-Arginine to keep the penis strong and healthy.