Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyStages of ErectionHow Hard Is Hard?Erectile ProblemsImproving Erections

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Anatomy

Stages of Erection

How Hard Is Hard?

Erectile Problems

Improving Erections

Erections happen in stages with thepenis, starting soft and becoming gradually harder until it stands outward or upward. This happens most often in response to sexual arousal but can sometimes occurfor no reason at all(particularly during puberty and the teen years). Erections can go away afterejaculationor on their own.

The inability to achieve and maintain an erection—referred to aserectile dysfunction (ED)—can occur as your body ages but can affect people of any age.

This article explains how erections work as well as how hard an erection should be, erection problems you may encounter, and tips for better erections.

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Anatomy of the Penis

An erection occurs when blood engorges tissues in the penis, causing it to become swollen, enlarged, and rigid.

Erections involve several key structures in the penis:

After ejaculation (the expulsion of semen from the penis) or the cessation of stimulation, an erection will subside. The time this takes depends on the length and thickness of the penis.

Stages of an Erection

An erection involves a complex interplay of physiological and psychological mechanisms that work in tandem to engorge the penis with blood. Hormones, blood vessels, nerves, and muscles all play a part.

An erection ultimately involves two processes:

The stages of an erection can be described as follows:

Softness (Flaccidity)

This is the natural state of the penis when it is limp and soft (flaccid).

During sexual arousal or the manual stimulation of the penis, the brain will activate nerves that cause the corpus cavernosa and corpus spongiosum to relax. It will also trigger the release of a chemical called nitric oxide that causes penile arteries to dilate.

Swelling (Tumescence)

Intercourse and repetitive penile stimulation force additional blood into the corpus cavernosa and corpus spongiosum, increasing tumescence.

Rigid Erection

As the corpus cavernosa and corpus spongiosum become engorged, the ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosum muscles will contract to prevent the flow of blood out of penile veins.

The engorgement, in turn, causes the corpus cavernosa and corpus spongiosum to become compressed against the walls of the tunica albuginea. This not only further restricts blood flow but also makes the penis harder as the swollen interior tissues press against the walls of the fibrous outer sheath.

This is the stage when the penis is at its maximum rigidity and sensitivity.

Return to Softness (Detumescence)

After ejaculation or the cessation of manual stimulation, the tunica albuginea will relax along with the ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus muscles. This allows blood to flow out of the penis, returning it to its normal, flaccid state.

After ejaculation, there will be arefractory periodduring which you can’t get another erection even with stimulation. This can be as short as 15 minutes, or as long as a day or more.

Erections During PubertyWith the onset of puberty,testosteronelevels can spike quite dramatically in boys, leading to random erections. These are common, especially in early puberty, and can happen without touching the penis or having sexual thoughts. Over time, testosterone will be less prone to fluctuations, resulting in fewer spontaneous erections.

Erections During Puberty

With the onset of puberty,testosteronelevels can spike quite dramatically in boys, leading to random erections. These are common, especially in early puberty, and can happen without touching the penis or having sexual thoughts. Over time, testosterone will be less prone to fluctuations, resulting in fewer spontaneous erections.

How Hard Is a Normal Erection?

An erection that is hard enough to allow for penetrative sex is considered a normal, healthy erection.This typically occurs during the rigid erection stage.

For most people with penises, the stage where the penis is hardest is at the rigid erection stage. At this stage, the pressure within the corpus cavernosa—as measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg)—will be around 100 mmHg.

How Long Does An Erection Usually Last?The duration of an erection can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the individual. Age can influence how long you are able to maintain an erection (due to aging-related changes in blood vessels, nerves, or muscles).Erections in a normally functioning penis generally last until ejaculation occurs. On average, the time from erection to ejaculation is between five and seven minutes.

How Long Does An Erection Usually Last?

The duration of an erection can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the individual. Age can influence how long you are able to maintain an erection (due to aging-related changes in blood vessels, nerves, or muscles).Erections in a normally functioning penis generally last until ejaculation occurs. On average, the time from erection to ejaculation is between five and seven minutes.

The duration of an erection can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the individual. Age can influence how long you are able to maintain an erection (due to aging-related changes in blood vessels, nerves, or muscles).

Erections in a normally functioning penis generally last until ejaculation occurs. On average, the time from erection to ejaculation is between five and seven minutes.

The more common problem related to erections iserectile dysfunction (ED). This is broadly described as the inability to achieve or sustain an erection suitable for penetrative sex.

How to Have a Better Erection

If you are dissatisfied with your erections, speak with your healthcare provider or a specialist in the male reproductive tract called aurologist. Although erectile dysfunction is very common, only around 10% of those who experience it seek medical treatment.

Practicing good health is the first step to ensuring and maintaining strong erections. This may involve:

If needed, your healthcare provider can prescribeoral ED medicationslike Viagra (sildenafil) or Cialis (tadalafil) to improve erections. Severe cases may benefit fromalprostadil, a type of ED drug injected into the shaft of the penis.

Non-pharmaceutical options includepenile vacuum pumpswithconstriction rings(“cock rings”). A less common but potentially beneficial option ispenile implant surgery.

Summary

9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Clement P, Giuliano F.Anatomy and physiology of genital organs - men.Handb Clin Neurol.2015:130:19-37. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-63247-0.00003-1University of Rochester.Ask the sexpert: random erections.Urology Care Foundation.What is erectile dysfunction?Papagiannopoulos D, Khare N, Nehra A.Evaluation of young men with organic erectile dysfunction.Asian J Androl.2015 Jan-Feb;17(1):11–16. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.139253Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Premature ejaculation: overview.Kew KL, Heidelbaugh JJ.Erectile dysfunction.Am Fam Physician.2016;94(10):820-7.Pakpahan C, Agustinus A, Darmadi D.Comprehensive intersystemic assessment approach to relieve psychogenic erectile dysfunction: a review.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2021;9(F):189-196. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2021.6116Maiorino MI, Bellastella G, Esposito K.Lifestyle modifications and erectile dysfunction: what can be expected?Asian J Androl.2015;17(1):5–10. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.137687Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH, et al.Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline.J Urol.2018;200(3):633-641. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2018.05.004

9 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Clement P, Giuliano F.Anatomy and physiology of genital organs - men.Handb Clin Neurol.2015:130:19-37. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-63247-0.00003-1University of Rochester.Ask the sexpert: random erections.Urology Care Foundation.What is erectile dysfunction?Papagiannopoulos D, Khare N, Nehra A.Evaluation of young men with organic erectile dysfunction.Asian J Androl.2015 Jan-Feb;17(1):11–16. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.139253Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Premature ejaculation: overview.Kew KL, Heidelbaugh JJ.Erectile dysfunction.Am Fam Physician.2016;94(10):820-7.Pakpahan C, Agustinus A, Darmadi D.Comprehensive intersystemic assessment approach to relieve psychogenic erectile dysfunction: a review.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2021;9(F):189-196. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2021.6116Maiorino MI, Bellastella G, Esposito K.Lifestyle modifications and erectile dysfunction: what can be expected?Asian J Androl.2015;17(1):5–10. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.137687Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH, et al.Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline.J Urol.2018;200(3):633-641. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2018.05.004

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Clement P, Giuliano F.Anatomy and physiology of genital organs - men.Handb Clin Neurol.2015:130:19-37. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-63247-0.00003-1University of Rochester.Ask the sexpert: random erections.Urology Care Foundation.What is erectile dysfunction?Papagiannopoulos D, Khare N, Nehra A.Evaluation of young men with organic erectile dysfunction.Asian J Androl.2015 Jan-Feb;17(1):11–16. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.139253Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Premature ejaculation: overview.Kew KL, Heidelbaugh JJ.Erectile dysfunction.Am Fam Physician.2016;94(10):820-7.Pakpahan C, Agustinus A, Darmadi D.Comprehensive intersystemic assessment approach to relieve psychogenic erectile dysfunction: a review.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2021;9(F):189-196. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2021.6116Maiorino MI, Bellastella G, Esposito K.Lifestyle modifications and erectile dysfunction: what can be expected?Asian J Androl.2015;17(1):5–10. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.137687Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH, et al.Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline.J Urol.2018;200(3):633-641. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2018.05.004

Clement P, Giuliano F.Anatomy and physiology of genital organs - men.Handb Clin Neurol.2015:130:19-37. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-63247-0.00003-1

University of Rochester.Ask the sexpert: random erections.

Urology Care Foundation.What is erectile dysfunction?

Papagiannopoulos D, Khare N, Nehra A.Evaluation of young men with organic erectile dysfunction.Asian J Androl.2015 Jan-Feb;17(1):11–16. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.139253

Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Premature ejaculation: overview.

Kew KL, Heidelbaugh JJ.Erectile dysfunction.Am Fam Physician.2016;94(10):820-7.

Pakpahan C, Agustinus A, Darmadi D.Comprehensive intersystemic assessment approach to relieve psychogenic erectile dysfunction: a review.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2021;9(F):189-196. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2021.6116

Maiorino MI, Bellastella G, Esposito K.Lifestyle modifications and erectile dysfunction: what can be expected?Asian J Androl.2015;17(1):5–10. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.137687

Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH, et al.Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline.J Urol.2018;200(3):633-641. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2018.05.004

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