The pleasure men feel from sex comes from oxytocin, the feel-good hormone which increases testosterone levels, causing men to have a higher sexual desire than women. But if you are dealing with the occasional bad night in bed or more prevalent erection issues. This article tackles erection and other problems men encounter regarding the subject.
Stages of Erection
Within the penis are soft tissues with blood vessels that are filled when sexually stimulated. Physical touch and thinking of sex-related thoughts can stimulate extra blood flow into the penis for an erection. Further, a fibrous membrane around the tissue of the penis traps the extra blood to maintain the erection. Here’s what the penis looks like at every stage of an erection:
- Flaccid (soft) penis – In its normal state, blood flows into and from the penis equally. There is no stimulation or fantasizing that would bring about sexual arousal.
- Swollen penis – During sexual stimulation, the penis will start to swell as the brain and nerves change the blood flow into the penis than what goes out.
- Erect penis – As stimulation continues, blood flow into the penis increases while restricting blood flow from it. That blood engorges the penis ready for sexual activity. A fully erect penis allows penetration or manual stimulation until ejaculation.
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What is bad for an erection?
Some factors affect whether or not the penis achieves an erection, sustains it, and stays erect long enough for mutual satisfaction. These include:
- Weight issues (overweight and obese)
- Distractions
- Stress at work and home
- Conflicts in the relationship
- Feeling self-conscious
- Low self-esteem
- Sexual performance anxiety
- Fatigue
- Tension
- Anxiety
- Tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drug use
- Feeling discomfort with the sexual partner
How long does an erection last during sex?
Calculating the average duration of sexual intercourse should start from penetration to ejaculation. Stimulation should continue and even increase to maintain an erection and reach an orgasm. The level of sexual stimulation and mood can affect how long the penis will stay hard.
For a ballpark figure, there is a published study calculating the intervaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT). The 4-week long study involved 500 couples who would press the timer ‘start’ at penetration and ‘stop’ at ejaculation. The result? The penis stays erect within a range of 33 seconds to 44 minutes, with a median average of 5.4 minutes from the start of penetration until ejaculation. The study also found that the older the couple, the shorter the period of sex.
How many erections a day?
On average, a man can have around 11 daytime erections, starting from the so-called ‘morning glory’ upon waking up. In addition, during a full night’s sleep, a healthy man can get three to five more night-time erections. These spontaneous erections during sleep can last 25 to 35 minutes, according to the Sexual Medicine Society of North America. Still, the duration of erections will always vary depending on:
- Your age
- Type of erection
- Type of sexual activity
- Frequency of sex
- Healthy BMI
- Lifestyle and habits
- Injury, pain, or medical conditions
- Psychological issues
- Stress, performance anxiety, tension
Understanding Sexual Dysfunctions
Below are several situations that can be signs of temporary erection and ejaculation problems. In cases where these happen more than occasionally, it could be a sign of chronic erectile dysfunction.
- Difficulty getting an erection
- Partial erection (difficulty getting a firm erection)
- Premature ejaculation
- Ejaculating inside rather than outside the penis
- Can’t maintain an erection (loses the erection during intercourse)
Is it normal for an erection to last over 4 hours?
On the opposite end of the spectrum as erectile dysfunction is what is called priapism. The prolonged erection may be unrelated to sexual desire. In some cases, injury, medications, and drug use may be causing an extended duration of an erection.
Consult with your doctor for risks of permanent tissue damage which may be causing the problem. When priapism is left untreated, there is a risk of the penile tissue dying from a lack of oxygenated blood flow into the penis.
How can the penis stay hard longer?
Healthy blood flows into the penis while restricting the blood flow out achieves a long-lasting erection. When there are issues with erection and ejaculation, first consider health and lifestyle changes, then medication.
- Rule out cardiovascular health, high blood, and cholesterol issues
- Stay active (overweight and lack of exercise can lead to erection issues)
- Quit or manage to smoke, drink alcohol, and use drugs
- Get enough rest and sleep
- Prioritize recovery after injury and surgery as these may cause temporary erection issues
- Consider sexual therapy or counseling
Masturbation and erection issues
Can masturbating often and watching porn lead to problems getting and maintaining an erection?
Several studies debunked this myth noting several factors that affect sexual dysfunction. The primary cause of erectile dysfunction may be mental health issues like depression, which leads to habits like masturbation and porn use.
Still, research suggests frequent masturbation while watching porn can lead to the desensitization of certain images. The penis and the brain may become less sensitive to other sexual stimulation.
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Taking medication for erection
There are FDA-approved medications your doctor can prescribe for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. These prescription medications can help maintain an erection for longer:
- Sildenafil (Viagra) – A single dose half-an-hour to one hour before any sexual stimulation can result in an erection that lasts about 3 hours.
- Vardenafil (Levitra) – More biochemically potent than Sildenafil, Vardenafil is prescribed in lower doses. 10 mg Vardenafil has the same effect as 50 mg of Sildenafil, but with fewer risks of side effects.
- Tadalafil (Cialis) – slow metabolization in the body with an effect lasting between 36 and 72 hours.
- Stendra (Avanafil) – new in the market; is thought to have fewer drug interactions and side effects than the older prescription medications.
In Conclusion
The average time an erection lasts from penetration to ejaculation is around 5.4 minutes. The penis can become erect even without an erection, as in the case of nocturnal erections. Men can experience night-time erections during sleep. They usually last for around 25 to 35 minutes without stimulation.
Consult with your doctor for any problems with losing an erection during sex, becoming erect for too long, or inability to become fully erect. Therapies, lifestyle changes, and medication can improve your health and help solve erectile dysfunction.
