How Long Should An Erection Last?

When it comes to anything related to sex, many of us want to know if we're "normal." Many wonder about the size of their penis and how long they can keep it hard.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to erections, just like sex is different for every individual and every experience. The fact is that erections do not always occur just before sex; they can happen anytime, even when a man is sleeping or not even thinking about sex at all.

Similarly, there’s no set-in-stone rule about how long an erection “should” last or how hard an erection “should” get. If you encounter difficulties getting an erection or if your erection does not last as long as you would like, read on to find out what causes an erection, how long an erection consumes, what causes problems with erections, and what you can do to get a longer, harder, and more effective erection. Don't settle if you are unhappy with your sex life because having a satisfying sex life is essential for our overall well-being.

What Is An Erection? 

To achieve sexual stimulation, the penis becomes hard and stiff due to the accumulation of blood. It is known as erection.

Types Of Erections

Erections are often associated with sex but can occur at any time. Erections can be classified into three types:

Reflexogenic Erections:

An erection of this type happens when something physically touches the genital area, which causes arousal of the sexual organs.

Psychogenic Erections:

Usually, they are triggered by mental stimuli, such as sexual memories or fantasies, that cause them to occur.

Nocturnal Erections:

They occur while you sleep, as their name suggests. (The morning erection is usually the last nocturnal erection a man experiences while sleeping.)

How An Erection Occurs

Although erections can be physically experienced, the brain initiates the process. To initiate sexual activity, we must first stimulate our senses. The brain is then instructed to stimulate penile blood vessels by sending nerve messages.

Thus, penis arteries open, allowing more blood to flow into the organ while veins close. Penis tissue, the corpora cavernosa, traps blood, which expands and stiffens the penis.

A man's penises become soft and flaccid once blood flow stops, usually after ejaculation.

How Long Do Erections Last?

Regarding the length of an erection, there are no hard and fast rules. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to men and their erections. An erection's duration may be affected by the following factors:

Age: There is a possibility that older men will be less erect than younger men—a man's chances of experiencing sexual dysfunction increase with age.

Health: Several medical conditions can affect the ability to have or maintain an erection, such as erectile dysfunction, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Emotional State: Keeping an erection can be difficult for men if they feel anxious, stressed, ashamed of their sexuality, or distracted.

Chemical Influence: It is possible to have difficulty maintaining an erection after drinking alcohol or using recreational drugs. In addition, certain medications can cause erection problems, including antidepressants, antihistamines, and high blood pressure medications. A man's erection can also be lengthened with medication for erectile dysfunction.

What Is The Average Man's Erect Duration?

Sexual activities, or erect penis, don't have an "average" duration.

There are different estimates of how long it takes between the moment a penis enters a vagina during intercourse and when it ejaculates. It is estimated to take between less than a minute and 44 minutes, with a median of five minutes based on a 2005 study of 500 couples.

Have Trouble Maintaining Erections?

Several factors could be contributing to your inability to maintain an erection. Erectile dysfunction may result if this problem persists. There are several common symptoms associated with erectile dysfunction, including:

• Irregular erections
  
  
• Having difficulty maintaining an erection for sex regularly
  
  
• A decrease in sexual desire

Anxiety or stress may contribute to ED in some cases. Anxiety, depression, and relationship strain can be aggravated by erectile dysfunction. Lifestyle factors, such as obesity, inactivity, or tobacco use, can also cause erectile dysfunction. The condition may also be related to a medical condition, such as:

• Diabetes
  
  
• Sleep disorders
  
  
• Atherosclerosis (clogged blood vessels)
  
  
• High cholesterol
  
  
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  
  
• Multiple sclerosis
  
  
• Heart disease
  
  
• Parkinson’s disease
  
  
• Low testosterone
  
  
• Metabolic syndrome

Get medical advice from your healthcare provider or Mobi Doctor if you suspect that you may have erectile dysfunction. To determine if erectile dysfunction medicine is appropriate for you, your doctor must rule out any underlying health conditions.

How To Get A Harder Erection

It can be discouraging to have difficulty getting a hard enough erection for sexual purposes, although there is no "average erection". When diagnosing erectile dysfunction, doctors use the following erection hardness score to evaluate your erection:

0: No enlargement of the penis

1: The penis is bigger but not hard

2: The penis is hard but not too hard to penetrate

3: The penis is hard enough to penetrate, but it isn't completely solid

4: Full rigidity and hardness of the penis

Make these simple but effective lifestyle changes to achieve harder, longer erections:

• Make foreplay a priority before sex.
  
  
• Take advantage of stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness or meditation, or seek counselling to help reduce your anxiety and stress.
  
  
• Don't smoke
  
  
• Drink less or stop using drugs recreationally
  
  
• Lose weight by exercising

Speak to your doctor if your erections interfere with your sex life or if you consistently score low on erection hardness.

Have your doctor examine you for underlying health conditions causing your erectile dysfunction. They can identify which drugs can help you achieve and maintain an erection, such as sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis).

When To Talk To A Doctor

An erection that lasts long enough for sex may be difficult due to temporary circumstances, such as stress, anxiety, or relationship difficulties.

If you persistently can't get or maintain an erection or are concerned about erectile dysfunction, consult a healthcare provider. To make your erections last longer, they can make simple lifestyle recommendations.

ED medication might be prescribed if your clinician diagnoses you with erectile dysfunction.

Can A Man Get A Hard-On After A Certain Age?

There is no age limit to getting an erection for a man. An erection can be difficult to get or maintain in young men with erectile dysfunction. Older men are more likely to experience it, however.

How Long Does The Average Man Last In Bed For The First Time?

Neither an erection nor sexual activities have an "average" length. Nonetheless, a man may ejaculate earlier after having sex for the first time.

How Long Does The Average Man Last In Bed For The First Time?

Neither an erection nor sexual activities have an "average" length. However, a man may ejaculate earlier in his first sexual experience.

Is It Normal To Have An Erection For Two Hours?

An erection can range from a few minutes to about half an hour. Seek emergency care or talk to your doctor if your erection lasts over four hours (priapism).

How Can Mobi Doctor Help

With Mobi Doctor, you have access to online urgent care and assist with ED