Nocturnal emission is not a disease, so don't panic; it's important to distinguish between physiological and psychological factors.
Abandoned essence can be a sign of disease.
In Chapter Six of *Dream of the Red Chamber*, titled "Jia Baoyu's First Experience of Love," there is a description of Jia Baoyu having a erotic dream while sleeping in his nephew's wife Qin Keqing's bed. In his hazy state, he even engages in sexual intercourse. Upon waking, when Xiren comes to tie his belt, she reaches for his thigh and feels a cold, sticky patch. Startled, she quickly withdraws her hand and asks, "Where did that come from?" Baoyu blushes and remains silent. This is Jia Baoyu's first nocturnal emission.
Nocturnal emission refers to the involuntary ejaculation of semen without sexual intercourse, including wet dreams and spermatorrhea. It is a physiological phenomenon characterized by frequent ejaculation without sexual intercourse, accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, forgetfulness, palpitations, insomnia, lower back pain, leg weakness, and lethargy. Traditional Chinese medicine refers to this phenomenon as nocturnal emission or spermatorrhea. Ejaculation with dreams is called "wet dream," while ejaculation without dreams, or even while awake, is called "spermatorrhea." It is often caused by kidney deficiency and weak seminal control, heart-kidney disharmony, or damp-heat accumulation. In Western medicine, it can be seen in conditions such as phimosis, redundant foreskin, urethritis, and prostate disorders. Wet dreams are often the initial stage of spermatorrhea while awake. Wet dreams and spermatorrhea are two different symptoms of nocturnal emission with varying degrees of severity. It should be noted that nocturnal emission is not menstruation, so there is no regularity. It is perfectly normal for nocturnal emission to have disappeared, especially as men enter middle age, when it almost completely ceases.
Nocturnal emission can be divided into physiological nocturnal emission and pathological nocturnal emission, which can be mainly distinguished by age, physical condition, penile erection during nocturnal emission, semen quality, and subjective symptoms after nocturnal emission.
Physiological nocturnal emission is common in young adults, especially unmarried or separated from their spouses, who are healthy, energetic, easily agitated, or fatigued and stressed. It usually occurs once every two weeks or longer, with a large amount of viscous semen. During nocturnal emission, penile erection function is normal, and there are no other symptoms.
Pathological nocturnal emission is more common in middle-aged and elderly people, or those with congenital deficiencies. Symptoms include a pale complexion, fatigue, heavy smoking, excessive drinking, overeating fatty and sweet foods, an overweight or weak physique, frequent masturbation, excessive sexual activity, and unfulfilled sexual desire. Frequent nocturnal emissions, sometimes occurring at night or spontaneously ejaculating while awake, are characterized by small, thin semen volumes. Erection is weak or absent during nocturnal emission. Afterwards, symptoms include mental fatigue, lower back and knee pain, tinnitus, dizziness, and general weakness.
Medical analysis of semen has shown that its main component is water, with small amounts of protein, sugar, and inorganic salts. However, due to current limitations in scientific and technological development, the mechanisms of sperm and life production are not fully understood. Therefore, Western medicine has not yet reached a definitive conclusion on whether nocturnal emission is harmful to health. Women experience increased vaginal secretions and mucus discharge during sleep or sexual stimulation, which usually goes unnoticed. Men, however, often view nocturnal emission as a medical condition and become anxious. So, how should we view nocturnal emission? Only by understanding its causes and mechanisms can we address it correctly.
Nocturnal emission rarely occurs in boys under the age of 12. The incidence rate is approximately 25% for boys aged 14, with higher rates in urban areas and families with better economic conditions. At 16, the rate is about 55%, at 18 it's 70%, at 20 it's 75%–80%, and by age 45, at least 90% of men have experienced nocturnal emission at some point. The frequency of nocturnal emission is mostly once a week or once every few weeks. Some studies have shown a direct correlation between the occurrence of nocturnal emission and education level. Survey data shows that 18% of single men with a junior high school education experience nocturnal emission, while 30%–46% of single men with a university education experience it an average of once a month.
Today, people with basic sexual knowledge view nocturnal emission as a physiological phenomenon and a component of human sexual behavior. In the past, both traditional Chinese feudal culture and foreign feudal ethics regarded it as a "strange phenomenon." In Babylonian times, it was believed to be the result of visits from "night maidens" or "night angels." In the Middle Ages, people believed nocturnal emission was the work of the devil. In China, the preciousness of semen was excessively emphasized, and nocturnal emission was always seen as a pathological condition. The loss of semen was believed to lead to kidney deficiency, leading to misconceptions about its nature. For teenagers, parents and teachers have a responsibility to tell them that occasional nocturnal emission is a normal physiological phenomenon, and there is no need to panic, let alone be immoral. Using harsh words or avoiding the topic altogether will harm their mental health and create unnecessary psychological burdens.
Treatment for nocturnal emission primarily targets the underlying cause. First, it's essential to learn about sex, establish a regular sexual routine, avoid excessive arousal of the sexual organs, strengthen physical exercise to improve overall health, and focus energy on studies and work. Additionally, sleeping on your side is recommended, avoiding sleeping on your back, as this can compress the lower abdomen and the blanket, potentially stimulating the reproductive organs. Avoid wearing tight or narrow pants, as these can also stimulate the reproductive organs, leading to sexual arousal and nocturnal emission. For nocturnal emission caused by diseases of the sexual organs and lower urinary tract, treatment must address the underlying cause. For example, phimosis or redundant foreskin may require surgical intervention; urethritis or prostatitis can be treated with antibiotics; and for nocturnal emission caused by neurasthenia, severe cases may require appropriate oral sedatives.
Psychological care is crucial for managing nocturnal emission, especially for teenagers lacking sex education. They should receive sex education and consciously resist the negative influences of pornography, including books, movies, and videos. Maintaining a regular lifestyle, focusing energy on studies and work, engaging in artistic and sports activities, paying attention to sleeping posture (avoiding sleeping on one's back), avoiding tight clothing, abstaining from alcohol and spicy foods, not smoking, regularly washing underwear, and maintaining good hygiene of the external genitalia are all important. If there are any reproductive system diseases such as prostatitis, seminal vesiculitis, phimosis, redundant foreskin, or balanitis, seek medical attention promptly.