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Erection
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ERECTION



An erection is when a penis hardens and enlarges due to filling up with blood.
Erections typically occur when a person with a penis is sexually aroused, but it
can happen spontaneously.


WHAT IS AN ERECTION?

An erection is when your penis becomes hard and enlarged from an increase in
blood flow. This increase in blood flow makes your penis stand up and away from
your body (erect). Sexual stimulation or excitement is the typical cause of an
erection. But people can get random or spontaneous erections. Erections go away
after you ejaculate, but can also go away without ejaculating.

ANATOMY OF A PENIS

To better understand how an erection happens, it helps to know what your penis
is made of. A penis consists of:

 * Two chambers called the corpora cavernosa, which run the length of your penis
   and contain a maze of blood vessels shaped like a sponge. It has sponge-like
   spaces, which means blood can fill the open space.
 * The urethra, or tube that carries pee and semen (the fluid containing sperm),
   which runs along the underside of the corpora cavernosa.
 * Erectile tissue, two main arteries and several veins and nerves.
 * The shaft, the longest part of your penis.
 * The head (glans), which is at the end of the shaft.
 * The meatus, or opening at the tip of the head where pee and semen come out.


HOW DOES AN ERECTION HAPPEN?

An erection begins with sensory and mental stimulation in your brain. Your brain
sends messages to your penis via your nerves.

Essentially, these messages tell the muscles of your corpora cavernosa (this
contains the sponge-like material) to relax, allowing blood to flow in and fill
the open spaces. When the blood vessels of the corpora cavernosa relax and open
up, blood rushes in to fill them. The blood then gets trapped under high
pressure by a series of valves, creating an erection.

The tunica albuginea (a membrane surrounding the corpora cavernosa), helps to
trap the blood in the corpora cavernosa, so you stay hard.

An erection is reversed when muscles in your penis contract, stopping the flow
of blood. The pressure decreases and the valves open, letting the blood flow
out. Your penis loses its erection and becomes flaccid (soft).


WHAT IS THE AVERAGE SIZE OF AN ERECT PENIS?

The average length of an erect penis is about 5.1 inches (around 13
centimeters). How big your penis is when erect has nothing to do with the size
of your penis when it’s soft. Some people with a smaller-than-average penis can
have a longer-than-average erection and vice versa.


WHAT ARE THE THREE TYPES OF ERECTIONS?

People most often associate erections with sex. But erections can happen without
any sexual activity or when you’re asleep. Here are the three types of
erections:

 * Reflexogenic erections happen when something touches your genitals and
   triggers arousal. This is probably the type you think of most often, like
   erections during masturbation or sexual foreplay.
 * Psychogenic erections happen when you think of sexual memories or fantasies.
   This type of erection happens without physical touch.
 * Nocturnal erections happen when you’re asleep. They occur more commonly
   during the deep stages of sleep.


WHY A PERSON CAN’T GET AN ERECTION

Erectile dysfunction (ED) happens when a person can’t get or keep an erection
that’s hard enough for sexual intercourse. It’s a common condition that affects
at least 10% of people.

A number of factors can cause ED, including:

 * Vascular disease: Blood supply to your penis can become blocked or narrowed
   as a result of vascular diseases like atherosclerosis due to high blood
   pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or tobacco use.
 * Neurological disorders: Nerves that send impulses to your penis can become
   damaged from stroke, diabetes or other causes.
 * Psychological state: These include stress, depression and performance
   anxiety.
 * Trauma: An injury could contribute to symptoms of ED.
 * Certain medications: Several different types of medication can affect
   erections.
 * Surgery on your prostate, bladder or another organ in your reproductive
   system.

MEDICATIONS TO HELP WITH AN ERECTION

Your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to help with ED. Some examples
of oral medications include sildenafil (Viagra®), vardenafil (Levitra®) or
tadalafil (Cialis®). If low testosterone is the cause of erectile problems, your
provider may recommend testosterone therapy.

If medication doesn’t help, there are nonsurgical treatments like using a vacuum
erection device (penis or penile pump) or getting penile injections. A
suppository you put inside your penis can also be an option.

Be sure to discuss all treatment options with your healthcare provider so you
can decide what method works best for you.

Several other nonsurgical treatments are currently being studied including
focused low-intensity shockwave therapy. Another treatment called radial wave
therapy has been shown to be ineffective for treating ED. At this time, these
treatments aren’t FDA-approved for ED, and further research is needed.


HOW LONG CAN THE AVERAGE MAN STAY HARD?

An erection can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. There isn’t
really an average time for how long an erection should last. In general, though,
the average amount of time a person has an erection during sexual intercourse
before they ejaculate is about seven minutes.

Several factors can affect how long an erection lasts. Age, medications, stress
or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages are examples of factors that
influence an erection.

Go to the emergency room if you have an erection that lasts longer than four
hours. An erection lasting longer than four hours is a condition known as
priapism.


WHAT MAKES SOMEONE MAINTAIN AN ERECTION?

How you get and maintain an erection is extremely personal and unique to your
body. It’s worth noting that erectile problems may occur as you age, or as you
develop other health issues. Your healthcare provider can discuss your situation
with you and develop a treatment plan if you feel your erections aren’t hard
enough or don’t last long enough for enjoyable sex.

Generally speaking, though, there are some things you can do that help your
erections. Examples include:

 * Eat a healthy diet and maintain a body weight that’s right for you.
 * Take steps to prevent or manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol and
   other chronic conditions that may impact your ability to stay hard. Keep in
   mind, medications to treat these conditions can also sometimes affect your
   erections.
 * Exercise regularly. Most healthcare experts recommend at least 20 to 30
   minutes of exercise per day.
 * Avoid misusing drugs and smoking cigarettes. If you drink alcohol, drink only
   occasionally.
 * Try to reduce or minimize your stress.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to getting and maintaining an erection.
The process starts in your brain and involves your nervous and circulatory
systems. Being able to get and maintain an erection is important to your sexual
and emotional health. ED can also be one of the first signs of a more serious
issue like heart disease. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if
you’re concerned about your erections or are unable to get or maintain an
erection. Treatment options are available to help you.

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Medically Reviewed

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/06/2023.

Learn more about our editorial process.

REFERENCES

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