When it comes to erections, there is a lot more than meets the eye. You may think you know and understand penises well, but there is plenty of "fake news" out there. Let's set the record straight by answering your erection questions with simple answers.

All products recommended are personally selected by me, Elaine S. Turner. I choose them and genuinely believe in them. However, this article may contain affiliate links. That means if you use that link to buy a product, I may earn a small affiliate commission, or tip, as I like to see it. You can learn more here if you have any questions about my affiliate policy.

What is an erection?

An erection is when a penis reaches an enlarged and rigid state.

It is often correlated with sexual arousal or excitement. The tissue inside the penis fills up with blood, which causes an erection. 

It can be a response to sexual stimulus, the way the wind blows, or absolutely nothing at all. It all depends on you. 

How long can the average man stay erect?

There's no "rule" of how long a person would be erect.

The average erection lasts around 10 minutes to about 30 minutes.

But falling below or above that average is normal too.

Again, it depends on many factors.

But, if your erection lasts more than 4 hours, it's too long. That's called priapism which is a medical emergency.

It can cause permanent ED and even the death of tissue in your penis. 

If you have an erection lasting close to or longer than 4 hours, get to an emergency room. It could be caused by various things, from medication response to a spider bite. 

How many times does a man get hard in a day?

As usual, this varies. 

You can get hard day, night, and anywhere in between. It also does not have to be a response to something sexual at all. 

During puberty is when you'll likely experience the most erections. 

But the general averages are about 11 boners during the day and about 3-5 erections per night. 

If you're having less, no big deal!

If you're having more, also, no big deal!

This will vary based on countless medical and lifestyle factors. 

Why do guys always get hard?

Erections can be totally random and uncontrollable.

It has a lot to do with your body's testosterone. 

Most often, an erection is caused by sexual arousal. But the cause of that arousal could be a touch, a smile, or even a fleeting thought. 

Random erections are nothing to worry about and are generally considered a sign of good health. 

How do you stop an erection?

If you've got an erection at an inconvenient time, the stress of having it at a bad time could make things worse.

Rather than focus on the embarrassment, you can jump into action to stop your erection.

Here are a few techniques you can try:

• Meditate - breathe slowly and deeply and focus on your breath. This will help take your focus off your boner and hopefully let it go away.

• Distract yourself - think of distinctly unsexy things like doing the dishes, name all the dinosaurs you can think of, or recite a poem. Whatever takes your mind off the situation.

• Take a cold shower - A tried and true classic! Since your erection is caused by blood flowing into your penis shaft, a cold shower should force the blood flow to be redirected to the rest of your body. 

• Reposition yourself - Adjust your body to sit in a different position to stop stimulating your penis. You can also try the "north tuck" to hide it. Gently put the tip of your erection into the waistband of your pants. This should help hide the erection for the time being. 

Why does a man get erect in the morning?

Ah, morning wood. This is a type of "random" erection where a person wakes up with an erect penis. 

This is especially common in younger men and into early adulthood. As you age and your natural level of testosterone begins to decrease, the occurrence of morning wood will likely fall as well. 

Morning wood doesn't have a single, definitive cause. It could be the touch of your bedsheets, hormonal shifts during the night, or general brain relaxation.

Morning wood is regular and indicates good blood flow and overall health. 

Are there different types of erections?

Yes, there are three different types of erections you should know about. 

• Nighttime erections - also called NPT for nocturnal penile tumescence. The average penis owner will have 3-6 erections each night. If you stop getting nighttime erections, this could indicate other health issues or erectile dysfunction. 

• Reflexogenic erections - these erections are inspired by direct stimulation such as touching or rubbing.

• Psychogenic erections - when you feel inspired by something in your mind or something you see. Such as seeing an attractive person, smelling something special, or having an erotic thought.

The majority of erections are a combination of reflexogenic and psychogenic. 

Is erectile dysfunction as common as people say?

True Erectile Dysfunction isn't very common.

It is normal to have difficulties with your erection during sex from time to time.
As you age, they may require a little more time and attention to get to complete rigidity. That's due to testosterone. As you age, your body uses less and less testosterone, making erections less frequent and often more temperamental. 

Patience and sympathy are critical. Your penis doesn't respond well to stress or negative feelings, so stay positive and take your time. 

Can ED pills give you a boner?

ED medications like Viagra are vasodilators, opening up your veins to promote blood flow.

They do not create erections.

They don't work at all for about one-third of the population.

If you take erection tablets frequently, you'll develop a tolerance for them over time. 

Developing a tolerance to ED medication means you'll become dependent on them. 

You'll also need the medication to get one at all if you use them too frequently.

Also, these should always be prescribed by a doctor or urologist. Too often, people buy knock-off products from sketchy sex shops. These are not the actual prescription drug, and there is no way to guarantee their safety.

Also, if you have particular heart or blood conditions, ED medications can seriously threaten your health. Play it safe and avoid these drugs whenever possible. 

What is the average penis size?

Studies show the average penis size is about 5.3- 5.6 inches long (erect).

That’s much shorter than the previously thought average.
Also, realistically, it's even shorter than this statistic. The majority of studies ask participants to self-report their size.
Meaning participants could be measuring incorrectly or rounding up a bit. 
Again, those are the average. Size isn't as important as you think. 

How can I have stronger erections?

Erections are excellent indicators of your health.

So remember to eat healthy, avoid smoking, keep bicycle rides short and jogs long. You'll notice that your penis will respond more as you hope. 

Regular pelvic floor exercises can have a massive impact on your erection strength. 

You can also try penis pumps to strengthen your erections! They're essentially a penis gym when used regularly. Check out my article on penis pumps here for a step-by-step guide!

Is erectile dysfunction only a sexual health issue?

If you're experiencing symptoms of erectile dysfunction, it may be an indicator of a much more significant health problem.

It may also indicate that the new medication you were prescribed isn't the right one for you.

Suppose you no longer have nighttime erections and struggle with erecting an erection.

In that case, you may have undiagnosed issues such as heart disease, high cholesterol, or other health issues.

Can you really break your penis?

Yes, in a sense, you can break your penis. 

Penises are fragile.

You can burst the blood vessels in your penis, a.k.a. a "broken penis." The bursting of blood vessels can cause painful swelling. This swelling can prevent you from having sex or self-pleasure for a long while. 

You're most at risk of getting a broken penis when the partner you're penetrating is on top. So bang with care!

Why do I have a small penis?

Your penis is actually much longer than you think.

The visible penis is much like the visible clitoris, the tip of the iceberg.

Your penis continues back into your body for few inches.

The next time you have an erection, take your finger to the underside and base of your penis. Apply gentle pressure. You'll be able to push back and feel it!

For those carrying a little extra weight, you're hiding a much larger penis!

You see, you can gain weight around your pubic mound, which is the area that surrounds your penis.

That hides the extra length you've been searching for. 

So, if you want a longer penis, eat healthily and exercise more!

Can you really get an erection after death?

Yes, you can get erections both in the womb and in the grave. 

You read that right. Infants can experience erections in the womb.

Also, you can get an erection moments after death.

Commonly called the "terminal erection" or "angel lust." It is most common when the person has died from hanging but has been seen in other circumstances.

Is it normal to have a curved penis?

Yes, most penises have a curve. 

Penises are typically curved in one way or another.

Of course, there was a study about the angle of penises. These were the results (90 degrees implies a straight erection, and 0 degrees would be pointing up toward the belly button)

Percentages of various penis angles:

• 0-30 degrees - 4.9%

• 30-60 degrees - 29.6%

• 60-85 degrees - 30.9% 

• 85-95 degrees - 9.9% 

• 95-120 degrees - 19.8%

• 120-180 degrees - 4.9%

Whichever way you curve, it's normal and healthy. Just look at all the dildo options on the market. Almost all of them have a curve!

Grower or shower, does it matter?

No correlation exists between the length of a flaccid penis and its erect size.

So, you can let the other people in the locker room know you're full of surprises. 

Some people are self-conscious about being a grower rather than a shower.

Research has shown that shorter (or "growers") flaccid penises increased by 86% when erect. Meanwhile, those who hang low when flaccid (or "showers") only grew by about 47%. 

Does having a large shoe size mean you have a large penis?

Nope.

Another myth.

A study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research said, "penile dimensions are significantly correlated with age, height, and index finger length."

But they didn't say a word about shoe size. 

So you can stop hiding your shoe size from your partner. 

Or you can stop bragging about it. 

Is the penis a muscle?

Nope. 

Your penis is not a muscle.

Nor does your "boner" contain bones.

Humans are the only primates who do not have a penis bone. (yup, that's also real.)

Penises are mostly spongy tissues that fill up with blood when stimulated. 

How can I have better erections?

Erections don't come easily to everyone.

For those experiencing difficulties, it may be time to seek outside help. Sex coaching may be exactly what you need. 

Erections are much more complex than many people think.

If you're struggling with getting or staying erect, odds are it's based on how you feel and other life factors. 

Contact me today if you're ready to have more reliable erections. 

“Men’s fear of sexuality is the basis of all horror from the male perspective.”

-Nicolas Winding Refn

Want to keep learning?

Keep reading!

Do you want to contribute to the Sex With Elaine blog?

SEND ME AN EMAIL!

Enjoy this article?

THEN FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM!

Never miss another helpful tip.