Erections most often occur during sexual arousal but can sometimes also happen randomly. Often, an erection lasts from a few minutes to half an hour, but this varies between individuals, as many factors can affect it. In addition to almost every other part of your body, smoking also affects your reproductive system.
For many men, the duration of maintaining an erection is a source of concern and can impact their confidence and sexual satisfaction. It’s important to know that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to how long you should be able to maintain an erection. However, there are some general guidelines and factors to consider.
Effectively treating ED is highly dependent on finding the root cause of the disorder. Some providers use a questionnaire to supplement their medical history and physical exam. Questionnaires may rate your ability to initiate and keep erections, gauge your satisfaction with sex, and help identify any problems with orgasm. More than 50% of all males between the ages of 40 and 70 years report some level of erectile dysfunction. Diabetes can also damage the nerves that signal increased blood flow to the genital area. The hormone testosterone affects a person’s sex drive and energy levels, which govern arousal impulses to the brain.
These include descending nerve pathways from the brain that transmits messages from the brain down the spinal cord. Key factors related to frequent nocturnal erections include testosterone and androgens. Erections are necessary to carry out sex and are a natural part of male arousal. The penis has two major muscles.¹ Centrally is the corpus spongiosum, and laterally is the two corpora cavernosa which contain the erectile tissue. This erectile tissue is responsible for increasing the rigidity of a penis. While there’s no “normal” amount of time a man should stay erect, especially when it comes to sex, you may be wondering what the average amount of time an erection can occur is.
Factors Affecting Erection Duration
It promotes blood flow and helps increase your body’s nitric oxide levels, which both help to stimulate your erections. If you’re looking for tips on how to get and maintain an erection, you’re in the right place. Over the course of this blog, we’ll go over all the synthetic drugs, natural supplements and lifestyle changes that help you improve erectile function. Anything that affects the level of sexual desire (libido) can also cause erectile dysfunction because a reduced libido makes it more difficult for the brain to trigger an erection. Psychological conditions, such as depression, can reduce libido, as can changes in hormone levels (chemicals produced by the body).
Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you’re concerned about your erections or are unable to get or maintain an erection. You can get a prescription by talking with a doctor, either in person or online. It’s important to tell the doctor about any current health conditions or medications you’re taking since erection pills can affect blood pressure and interact with some drugs. Problems getting or maintaining an erection is called erectile dysfunction (ED).
There are several factors that can influence how long you are able to maintain an erection. These can include:
Factors such as stress, alcohol, and medication can affect a person’s ability to achieve and maintain an erection. If a person has continual trouble with getting an erection, they should talk with their doctor because they may have ED. If a person has a prolonged erection that is unrelated to sexual activity and lasts more than a few hours, they should seek immediate medical help.
- Age: As men age, they may experience changes in their erectile function, including a decrease in the ability to maintain an erection for a prolonged period of time.
- Health Conditions: Certain health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure can affect erectile function and the duration of erections.
- Psychological Factors: Stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues can all impact your ability to maintain an erection.
What is Considered Normal?
It’s important to keep in mind that what is considered a normal duration for maintaining an erection can vary from person to person. On average, a healthy man may be able to maintain an erection for anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes during sexual activity.
When to Seek Help
If you are consistently experiencing difficulties maintaining an erection or if you are concerned about the duration of your erections, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider. They can help determine if there are any underlying medical or psychological issues contributing to the problem and recommend appropriate treatment options.
Remember, open communication with your partner and seeking professional help when needed can go a long way in addressing concerns related to erection duration and overall sexual health.
