If you’ve ever wondered how a penis gets hard, you’re probably not alone. Learn what causes the penis to harden and how to treat erectile dysfunction.
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It’s no wonder you want to know how the penis works, even if you’ve had sex before. And it certainly shouldn’t be embarrassing to ask questions about sexual health.
If anything, understanding what exactly makes the penis erect can help you diagnose certain sexual dysfunctions, such as erectile dysfunction (ED), and increase the effectiveness of birth control methods.
Quick FAQ
Brain signals cause the corpora cavernosa to relax and allow blood to fill the space. Once the blood is trapped under the high pressure, an erection occurs.
Men can stay erect anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. If an erection lasts more than four hours, emergency medical care should be sought as soon as possible to prevent damage to the penis.
Studies have shown that men can experience an erection 11 times a day and three to five times a night. The exact number of erections a man can experience can depend on age, lifestyle and other factors.
We’ll answer your questions about how an erection works so you can better understand your body.
What is an erection?
The definition of an erection is when the penis becomes hard and enlarged due to blood flow to the genitals.
The enhancement of blood flow makes the penis stand erect and away from the body (erect).
Erections usually occur during the arousal stage of sex, and sometimes a man can get “hard” spontaneously.
Once a man climaxes and ejaculates, the erection usually subsides. Sometimes, the difficulty will go away on its own with the need to orgasm.
How does the penis harden?
During the arousal stage, a number of physical and emotional changes occur in a person as they become aroused and engage in sexually stimulating activities.
The brain sends signals to the penis using the body’s nerves. The messages inform him corpora cavernosa to relax and let the blood flow into the space and fill it.
Once the blood vessels open and blood rushes in, it is trapped under the high pressure, which results in an erection.
The membrane surrounding the corpora cavernosa helps keep blood trapped to maintain an erection.
When you have an orgasm, the muscles of the penis contract, which stops blood flow. The penis begins to soften as the pressure decreases, the valves open and blood flows out.
How long can men stay hard?
There is no average time for the duration of an erection because it can vary from a few minutes to a few hours.
But according to researchthe average time between erection and ejaculation during intercourse is five to seven minutes.
The duration of an erection can be affected by a number of physical and psychological factors, such as:
- heart disease
- high cholesterol
- high blood pressure
- Diabetes
- portliness
- smoking
- depression
- anxieties
- stress
- relationship problems
If an erection lasts more than four hours, contact a doctor as soon as possible. Any erection lasting more than four hours is considered priapism and requires urgent treatment to prevent damage to the penis.
How many times a day does a man get hard?
There is no exact number when it comes to how many times a day an erection occurs.
But, studies show that men experience an erection 11 times a day and three to five times a night.
Lifestyle, age and hormone levels can affect the frequency of erections. Talk to your GP if you are concerned about your ability to get and keep an erection.
How can I make an erection go away?
Of course, ejaculation is the most ideal way to make an erection disappear. But this is not always possible.
You can eliminate the source of the arousal and erection in a few ways.
- Thinking about things not related to sex.
- Meditation
- Cold shower
What causes erectile dysfunction?
Symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED) include:
- You can achieve an erection sometimes, but not every time you desire sexual activity.
- You can get an erection, but it doesn’t last long enough to have sex.
- The inability to achieve an erection at any time, even during the night.
According research, age is the biggest factor in the development of DM. As men get older, they produce less testosterone, which is necessary to get an erection.
Supplements and hormone therapy are options for men over 50 who struggle to get and keep an erection due to low testosterone.
However, there are other causes of erectile dysfunction. Here are a few to consider:
- Diabetes
- high blood pressure
- heart disease
- high cholesterol
- smoking
- drinking too much alcohol
- use of illegal drugs
- to be overweight
- lack of regular exercise
Erectile dysfunction can be a sign of an underlying disease, so it’s vital to discuss concerns about ED with your doctor.
ED treatments
In most cases, erectile dysfunction is completely treatable. Some treatments that can be effective include:
- Pharmaceutical treatment: Medicines with a doctor’s prescription such as e.g sildenafil (viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis) treats erectile dysfunction in men of all ages.
- Supplements: Over-the-counter (OTC) supplements like VitaFlux contain L-arginine, L-citrullineand L-carnitinewhich can help improve blood flow and erections.
- Lifestyle changes: Excercisemaintaining a healthy weight, reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking can all help with better erections.
- Treatment: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), sex therapy, and couples therapy have been shown to help address the underlying psychological causes of erectile dysfunction.
- Mechanical devices: Vacuum erection devices or penis pumps can be effective alternative treatments for ED.
- Surgery: Penile implants it’s an option you can discuss with a doctor if other treatments have failed.
Packed food
You shouldn’t be ashamed to ask how penises work. It’s helpful to understand how your body works to better know what you can do to make it work well.
As mentioned, your penis hardens as a result of stimulation, which causes the brain to send signals that allow more blood flow to your corpus cavernosum.
If you’re having trouble getting an erection, there are a number of treatment options available that can help, from ED medication to nitric oxide boosters like VitaFLUX.
Be sure to check with your doctor to determine the best ED treatment option for you.
