Adolescence Section: Nocturnal Emissions, Seminal Emissions, and Sexual Physiology During Puberty

**23. Is it normal to have strange dreams during puberty?**

Adolescents are prone to having strange dreams, but there are often some underlying causes.

(1) Psychological factors. For example, excessive excitement or tension; excessive mental exertion or thinking too much about a particular thing; being frightened or scared during the day; excessive stress. It is also easy to occur when feeling depressed or in a bad mood.

(2) When sleeping, the hands are placed on the chest, which compresses the chest and obstructs the airway.

(3) Overeating at dinner can cause a feeling of bloating in the stomach, which can lead to nightmares.

(4) Long-term use of sedative-hypnotic drugs that suppress sleep can also cause sleep disturbances if the drug is suddenly stopped.

Nightmares are mostly temporary and generally do not lead to serious consequences. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle often plays an important role in reducing nightmares.

(1) Have more entertainment and more happiness, think about everything in a positive light, and everything will be alright.

(2) Strengthen physical exercise and improve physical fitness.

(3) Develop regular sleep habits, such as washing your face, feet, and brushing your teeth with warm water before bed. In winter, use a hot water bottle to warm your feet and gently wipe your head and neck with a warm towel. If possible, take a warm bath before bed. Wear a thin shirt and shorts when going to sleep.

(4) Perform a self-massage before bed: Sit cross-legged or lie on your back. First, gently massage your head and face with both hands. Then, massage your left shoulder and left arm with your right hand, and your right shoulder and right arm with your left hand. Next, rub your chest and abdomen with both hands, making the movements light and slow. Finally, massage the soles of your feet (Yongquan acupoint). The entire massage process can be long or short, generally around 10 minutes. Then, place your hands on your sides and slowly perform deep breathing exercises, focusing your mind on the Dantian (focusing your mind means not focusing on the area directly; Dantian refers to the area not far below the navel). This will gradually induce drowsiness and sleepiness.

(5) The best sleeping position is to sleep on your right side. The head of the bed should be oriented north-south, and it is better to sleep with your head to the north and your feet to the south.

**24. Is nocturnal emission normal during puberty?**

Nocturnal emission refers to ejaculation without sexual intercourse or masturbation. Nocturnal emission during puberty needs to be divided into physiological and pathological types. Physiological nocturnal emission is a normal phenomenon, mainly seen in unmarried men, occurring 2-3 times per month; and nocturnal emission during puberty is a sign of sexual maturity. Pathological nocturnal emission often occurs 2-3 times per night or more than twice per week, or semen may leak out while awake, accompanied by symptoms such as lethargy, insomnia, and excessive dreaming, requiring further treatment.

Pathological nocturnal emission can be caused by both organic diseases and psychological factors. Organic diseases such as phimosis and prostatitis can cause nocturnal emission, and treatment of these primary diseases often yields good results. After ruling out organic diseases, psychological factors should be considered. Positive and effective psychological counseling often plays a crucial role. It is important to cultivate a healthy sexual mindset; develop healthy lifestyle habits, such as avoiding sleeping in a prone position, using non-thick blankets, and wearing tight pants to prevent pressure and stimulation of the external genitalia that could lead to nocturnal emission; when interacting with the opposite sex, one should be natural, open, and frank, avoiding inappropriate thoughts and sexual impulses; and overcome the fear and guilt associated with nocturnal emission, as simply blaming oneself and suppressing desires often has the opposite effect.

Frequent nocturnal emissions can easily create a psychological burden, affecting daily life and leading to insomnia, fatigue, lethargy, and in severe cases, neurasthenia. In such cases, it's necessary to take certain measures to return your life to normal. Participate in more extracurricular activities, shift your attention to studies and work, avoid exposure to sexually stimulating substances, and establish a regular daily routine.

**25. Why shouldn't teenagers wear overly tight jeans?**

Jeans have always been popular among teenagers. However, overly tight jeans can also be a health hazard.

(1) Tight jeans have poor breathability, making it difficult for moisture and heat in the private parts to dissipate. As a result, the genitals are often in a damp and hot state, providing an environment for bacterial growth and reproduction. This can lead to scrotal inflammation in men.

(2) "Running water does not stagnate, and a frequently used door hinge does not rust." The human body relies on the circulation of blood through the meridians to obtain nourishment. Wearing overly tight jeans restricts the body and can easily lead to poor circulation in the lower limb meridians. Once the arterial blood circulation in the lower limbs is impaired, it will cause insufficient blood return, which can easily lead to symptoms such as chilblains, cold feet, numbness in the legs, and weakness in the legs.

(3) Wearing tight jeans frequently can lead to infertility. Men who frequently wear tight jeans will experience an increase in the local temperature of the scrotum. The optimal temperature for the testicles is 34℃. Being in a high-temperature environment for a long time is not conducive to sperm growth and development, and over time, it can lead to male infertility.

(4) Wearing tight jeans is also detrimental to the skin and nerves. This is because the waistband of jeans is often tightly constricted around the waist, which is where the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve passes from the deep layer of skin to the superficial layer. Once this area is subjected to tight compression, it will cause insufficient blood supply. Therefore, it will cause ischemic damage to the skin, resulting in numbness, dulled sensation, or even loss of sensation in the lateral femoral skin.