There’s no one best time of day to have sex that applies to everyone. Compared to night sex, morning sex is better for some people and worse for others. But physiologically speaking, it might be generally better to have sex in the morning because many people’s bodies have higher levels of testosterone and estrogen, two hormones that influence sexual desire, at the start of the day. That means you may be more in the mood and potentially able to have more satisfying sex in the morning.
Your sex hormones are higher in the morning.
“You might just have an easier time getting aroused in the morning than you do at night, thanks to your hormones,” AASECT-certified sex therapist Jessa Zimmerman, M.A., tells mbg.
Testosterone levels in men replenish overnight and thus tend to be at their highest in the morning and at their lowest at night. “Their hormonal pattern follows the circadian rhythm,” Alisa Vitti, hormone expert, founder of The FLO Living Hormone Center, and author of In the Flo, tells mbg. “While they sleep, they make all of their testosterone for the next day, and they have the highest blood serum concentration of that hormone upon waking, in addition to the boost of cortisol they get. The combination is very motivating for activities of the physical nature, whether that be sex or a workout.”
Testosterone plays a key role in sexual functioning for men, helping with both getting erections and feeling motivated to have sex. For those with penises, Zimmerman says the elevated testosterone levels in the morning can thus give you an increased libido, improved arousal, and a better erection.
Similarly, estrogen is associated with female sexual desire, and those hormones also tend to be higher in the morning, according to Zimmerman. Furthermore, morning wood isn’t just for penises—people with vulvas also experience increases in blood flow to the vagina during REM sleep, as well as vaginal swelling and lubrication. That means they may be as likely to wake up with their bodies already primed for sex. And more blood flow to the clitoris and lubrication around the vagina can mean more sensitivity and pleasure.
You may have more energy in the morning.
Another reason morning sex can potentially be better than sex at night? Energy. You’re right at the start of your day and at the start of your energy tank, meaning you might be more alert and able to engage in sex.
“The benefit of having sex in the morning is that it might be easier to be present and focus on what’s happening in the moment,” AASECT-certified sex therapist Lauren Fogel Mersy, PsyD, tells mbg. “When we’re tired, we might be more easily distracted.”
Many people get to the end of the day feeling exhausted and perhaps touched out, meaning they’re not wanting any more touch or stimulation. It may take more effort to get back into the right mindset to engage in sex. “Many people leave sex to the end of the day when they have nothing left in the tank,” Zimmerman notes. “That exhaustion and fatigue can lead to neglect and avoidance in your sex life. Having sex in the morning allows you to tap into a fresh fuel tank.”
