Male erection & its problem: How it works, duration, Cause and Treatments
Erections are a natural part of male sexual function.
Many men or Assigned Males at Birth (AMAB) have some common questions regarding erections, how they work, and types and problems related to erections.
In this article, we will answer all such queries regarding erections; read on to learn more.
What is Erection?
A male erection occurs when his sexual organ is engorged with blood and enlarged due to sexual stimulation or no specific reason.
The penile erection lasts for a few minutes or just half an hour, but this can differ between individuals, as several factors might affect it.
After you ejaculate, erections go away but might go away without ejaculating.
Quick Checkout: Male Sexual Anatomy
The male reproductive organ includes:
- Two sponge-like chambers (corpora cavernosa) that fill with blood during arousal.
- The urethra, running beneath the corpora cavernosa, carrying urine and semen.
- Erectile tissue, major arteries, veins, and nerves supporting function.
- The shaft, the organ’s longest part.
- The head (glans) at the tip of the shaft.
- The meatus, the opening at the head’s tip for urine and semen release.
What Does an Erection Look Like?
An erection causes the penis to become larger, firmer, and more upright.
The shaft becomes rigid, and the glans (head) may appear more pronounced or swollen.
The angle, shape, and direction of an erection can vary greatly from person to person, and it's typically influenced by anatomy and individual differences.
What Does an Erection Feel Like?
An erection usually feels firm, enlarged, warm, and slightly tingling due to increased blood flow. Most men find it pleasurable and sensitive, although the exact sensation varies.
Prolonged erections (priapism), often caused by medication, can become painful or uncomfortable.
But when dealing with stress or high blood pressure, these factors can reduce sensitivity or make it harder to maintain an erection.
How does an erection work?
Erections result from both psychological and physical factors.
Sexual arousal prompts the brain to send signals to the penile nerves, releasing nitric oxide. This relaxes smooth muscles and expands blood vessels, increasing blood flow.
Blood fills the erectile tissue while outflow is restricted, causing the penis to swell and harden.
There are mainly three stages of an erection:
The three main stages of erection includes:
Soft or flaccid male sexual organ: This is the normal state, and it happens when there is no sexual stimulation through fantasizing, sight, or touch. During this point, blood flow to and from the male sexual organ is considered equal.
Swollen male reproductive organ: Sexual arousal makes your brain and nerves change the blood vessels and other tissues present in the male sexual organ so that more blood flows in the male reproductive organ than out. During this phase, you will notice that the male sexual organ starts to swell.
Erect male sexual organ: The male sexual organ becomes erect. Your brain and nerves continue to send more blood to the male reproductive organ and limit blood flow. The male sexual organ becomes fully erect and allows you to indulge in manual arousal or vaginal or oral sexual activity.
However, some physical or psychological problems can prevent you from experiencing an erection or achieving a hard erection for sexual intercourse.
What are the Types of Erections?
There are mainly three types of erections:
Reflexogenic Erection
It is an erection triggered by physical stimulation (e.g., touch or friction).
The autonomic nervous system controls it and involves nitric oxide, which relaxes muscles and increases blood flow.
Psychogenic Erection
This Erection is caused by mental or emotional arousal—thoughts, fantasies, or visual cues.
The brain activates sexual response centres, sending signals to increase penile blood flow.
Nocturnal Erection
It occurs involuntarily during Rapid Eye Movement(REM), often called "morning wood."
Nocturnal Erection Linked to healthy blood flow and hormone activity, possibly helping maintain penile health.
Additionally, Random Erections
These erections happen without sexual arousal and can occur anytime, especially during adolescence.
They’re a normal response to hormonal changes and help preserve penile function.
How often can you experience erections?
Men can experience erections at any point during the night or day.
This might be in response to arousal or can be random.
However, it is difficult to tell an average occurrence rate.
People might experience more frequent erections during the puberty stage, while older age or men with erectile dysfunction might experience less or no erection.
It is widespread for men to experience an erection upon waking.
This is known as nocturnal penile tumescence.
It is considered the standard procedure of the reproductive system and happens due to the effect of sleep cycles and enhanced blood flow while sleeping.
How long does an erection last?
You should know there is no set time for the duration of sexual intercourse or how long the erection lasts.
Generally, an average erection might last for a few minutes or half an hour.
However, this can differ from man to man, as several factors are responsible for affecting an erection's duration.
It is noticed that the average amount of time a man experiences an erection during sexual activity before he ejaculates is almost seven minutes.
Some factors like age, stress, alcohol consumption, and medicines can affect your erection.
If you experience an erection for more than four hours, immediately contact the doctor.
An erection that lasts for more than four hours is a condition called priapism.
What are the Factors affecting penile erection?
Several factors can cause erection problems in men, Some of them include:
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Fatigue
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Tension
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Feelings of self-consciousness
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Distractions
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Alcohol consumption
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Erectile dysfunction or impotence
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Priapism
What are the risk factors for lead ED-like erection problems?
Various factors can lead to ED, like erection problems in men, and here are some of the primary factors:
Age: The risk of ED may increase with growing age, particularly in men over 50.
Chronic Diseases: Certain medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, prostate cancer, and high cholesterol can impair blood flow and nerve function in males. You already read above that improper blood flow might have the risk of affecting your sexual response and lead to ED.
Obesity: Being overweight can increase your risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and these two are among the leading risk factors for ED. Know how obesity is linked with erectile dysfunction.
Medications: Certain medications, such as those used for high blood pressure, depression, and prostate conditions, can cause or worsen ED symptoms. Know which drugs can lead to ED.
Psychological Factors: Stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship problems may also lead to ED in some men.
Hormonal Imbalances: Men who face low levels of testosterone or other hormonal imbalances can have issues with their sexual function and might face ED.
Physical Injuries and Surgery: Damage to the pelvic area, spinal cord injury, or nerves controlling erections can cause ED. Also, surgical procedures like those for the prostate or bladder can sometimes result in ED and cause erection problems.
Neurological Disorders: Conditions such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke may damage nerves that are essential for erectile function. Thus, a Neurological Disorder may also lead to erection problems in men.
Lifestyle Factors: Alcohol abuse, smoking, and drug abuse can be contributing factors to ED. Alcoholism and smoking can damage your blood vessels and reduce flow of blood to the penis.
How do you maintain hard erections?
It is essential to know that erection problems can happen as you age or as you suffer from health disorders.
However, if you are facing difficulty in achieving or sustaining hard erections, meet the doctor immediately to get the best treatment plan.
Here are some easy tips which can help you to maintain hard erections:
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Choose a healthy diet and maintain good body weight.
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Take practical steps to manage high cholesterol levels and treat high blood pressure, heart disease, and health.
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Pressure and other chronic ailments can affect your ability to achieve hard erections.
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Exercise regularly for at least 20 to 30 minutes.
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Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
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Reduce your stress levels.
Also, one of the most reliable and convenient medical treatments for the erection problem is oral ED medications.
These medications belong to a class of PDE5 Inhibitors and ensure proper blood circulation to the penis by stimulating blood vessels and erectile tissue around the penis.
Some of the most popular ED pills available in the market are:
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Strendra(Avanafil)
These above-listed ED drugs are brand-name drugs, and for some people, they might be somewhat expensive to buy.
Generic variants of these Popular ED pills are available in the market, and you can choose from a trusted and reliable online pharmacy.
Explore Best Ways to Increase Blood Flow to the Penis.
Summary
Thus, to indulge in sexual activity without any interruption, erections are essential.
Erections usually start with arousal and go away once arousal stops.
If you think you are not able to achieve the hard erections required for sexual intercourse, contact the doctor immediately.
In such cases, you may face male sexual dysfunction called Erectile dysfunction, which may affect your sexual life.
Adopt a healthy lifestyle, reduce stress, and do Kegel exercises to increase blood circulation to the penis. If needed, medications like Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra can help with erection issues in case you are dealing with ED. Explore the best exercise that can help you with ED.
Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra are common prescription options to help you with erections. Each ed pill comes with different effects and side effects. The best choice depends on individual needs, so consult a doctor for guidance.
Drinks that support erections include pomegranate juice, beet juice, and green tea. These improve blood flow and heart health. Watermelon juice and low-sugar smoothies with leafy greens or berries may help improve erections. But, Avoid sugary or alcoholic drinks, which can impair circulation and hormone levels.
Foods that boost erections include leafy greens, beets, dark chocolate, salmon, walnuts, and berries. These foods support blood flow, nitric oxide levels, and heart health. Oysters and other zinc-rich foods can enhance your testosterone levels. Having a balanced, Mediterranean-style diet is also best for erectile function. Check out our complete guide on natural foods for better erections to help with ED.
