Well, i've noticed that when I have one, its raging, and I always have to pee. Somewhere in the way back of my mind I thought these might be linked, as when you've got wood, you can't pee (readily), so your body induces the erection to prevent that while you're sleeping.
This is of course stupid, but has a logical ring to it. However, even at 29 I have still not figured out how to quickly lose the erection to take the morning wee. If you've seen 40yo virgin, you understand my mornings (minus the creepiness and the working out).
In general, I don't occupy my mind with how to lose erections. Even when they're unwanted. Something about that seems wrong.
Waiting for the clothes to dry. Enough blabbering.