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Erections are a normal part of a penis owner’s life. While getting an erection in your teens is easier, as you grow older, things might seem a little difficult. They can also occur at weird times and make things uncomfortable, but well...that’s just the way it is! Keep reading to learn more about erections, including how to get an erection, how long should an erection last, and more.
What causes an erection?
The most common cause of an erection is sexual arousal. You can get aroused by seeing, experiencing, or even thinking about something or someone that turns you on. Erections might also occur for no apparent reason, known as spontaneous erections (although you can't control thee). So, if you get an erection without being aroused, it is absolutely okay!
How to get an erection?
Blood flow is key in transforming a flaccid penis into a rock-hard one. Blood pours into the veins that fill the corpus cavernosum, which are the two tubes in the penis when a man is aroused. When blood enters these tubes, they expand (much like a water balloon), making them longer, stiffer, and more rigid. As a result, your penis gets hard and erect.
How can you make an erection go away?
You tend to lose the erection once you have ejaculated. However, there are a few other ways to get rid of an erection by removing the source of stimulation. Some of these are:
- Changing positions to prevent your thighs or pants from touching the boner
- Thinking about something non-sexual, mundane, or even repulsive
- Counting backwards or reading everything you notice around you to distract yourself and pass the time
How often are you supposed to get an erection?
There’s no precise rule which states how often a person is supposed to get an erection. People with penises get 11 erections every day on average and three to five more each night, but these numbers vary among individuals. Your age, hormone levels, and lifestyle are a few of the many variables that impact how frequently you become hard.
How long can the average man stay erect?
There is no universally accepted time when it comes to erections. An average erection lasts between a few minutes to about half an hour. However, this can vary considerably from person to person.
What to do if you want to get an erection?
The secret to achieving an erection is to relax and allow yourself to feel stimulated. Here are some suggestions if you want to get into the mood:
- Imagine a sexually-stimulating scenario
- Take a glance at pictures you find seductive
- Watch porn or read erotica
- Touch yourself where it feels really good
- Use a sex toy on and around your genitals
How to make your erections harder?
The first step to getting harder erections is to ensure you are healthy. Regularly checking in with your doctor about your physical fitness is an excellent idea. This way, any underlying issues can be addressed well in time. Concerns like high blood pressure and heart disease might go undetected, and a checkup will confirm if you need medication or lifestyle changes.
To increase the strength of your erections, you can also improve your diet, take supplements, exercise, and stop smoking. When it comes to the psychological causes behind ED, seeking therapy can help resolve and unpack whatever is bothering you!
Can your erections be ‘too hard’?
It's fantastic if you get powerful, regular erections! There's no need to worry about being 'too hard' because, at the end of the day, your body only has so much blood to circulate.
On the other hand, a prolonged erection might be painful. This disorder, referred to as priapism, can harm the delicate tissues of your penis. Contact a medical professional immediately or go to an emergency room if your erection lasts more than four hours.
Why do men get erections in the morning?
Some people think that morning erections are caused by dreams or a full bladder. However, it is your parasympathetic nervous system that is responsible for the hard-ons.
Numerous bodily functions, such as digestion, urination, and sexual desire, are controlled by this region of the nervous system. This system is active when you are sleeping, especially during the REM cycle. Even though you might experience multiple erections each night, you'll most likely become aware of them as you are closer to waking up. Most people awaken after or during the REM stage of sleep, which means they are more likely to wake up while having an erection. Contrary to popular belief, your morning erection isn't typically brought on by sexual dreams.
What are some common health conditions associated with erections?
A few health conditions commonly associated with erections are:
- Erectile Dysfunction: This occurs when a person is not able to get an erection or sustain one during sexual activity. While stress and relationship issues can trigger ED, there are other causes as well, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, lack of regular physical activity, recreational drug use, and cardiovascular issues.
- Premature Ejaculation: PE may result from numerous sources. These include psychological factors like fear or inexperience as well as physiological factors like drug usage or medical issues. PE could go away on its own or be treated depending on the underlying cause. Treatment options include counselling, topical medications, and lifestyle changes.
Treating sexual health problems can be daunting due to the stigma associated with it, but Rocket Health is cancelling stigma one day at a time! Book a consultation with our judgement-free medical experts for all your sexual health-related concerns.
