Let’s consolidate our knowledge about erection.
Because here’s the deal. We’re all familiar with the basic idea, but the physiological process behind erections is more complicated than you might think. It is in his heart blood, which enters the penis through its arteries and remains trapped inside through the veins. But why is it flowing in the first place? Is always is it sex related?
Turns out: no. A penis can become hard when its owner is not even fully conscious (such as nocturnal erections). It can stand at random times (workout, on a flight) and it can leave at inappropriate times, like when you’re actually having sex. Alas, not all bones are created equal.
Why do erections happen?
As counterintuitive as it may sound, an erection begins when nerve signals in your brain tell your penile muscles to relax. This allows blood to flow and enlarge the penis, while its veins close to keep the blood in. An erection ends when the penile muscles contract and the valves in the veins open, allowing blood to flow back out. But this initial neural signal is not always triggered by sexual arousal: there are other causes that lead to less-than-expected erections, so to speak.
With that in mind, here is your guide to 9 different types of erections.
1. The Nocturnal Erection
Fun fact: a healthy penis owner can get an erection three to five times a night while sleeping. Each erection lasts 30 to 60 minutes and occurs because your nervous system is working properly.
During REM sleep, your parasympathetic nervous system, the one responsible for “rest and digest” (as opposed to fight or flight) is activated and releases neurotransmitters that trigger erections. In fact, they are an excellent measure of overall health. Wearing a smart penis ring all night – like this one from FirmTech – can give you information about your erectile function and ways to improve it. Low testosterone, blood flow problems, as well as anxiety and depression cause problems with your parasympathetic nervous system, so if erections during your waking hours feel “off”, try wearing it during sexual sessions. It is a good tool to understand what is going on with your favorite tool.
2. The training erection
Ah, the gym: iron pumping, blood flowing. Workouts also prompt your body to release testosterone, a hormone that increases blood flow to the penis. So while you may not be triggered by anything (or anyone) in particular, it’s safe to say that your brain and body are getting the inputs for the time you’re having.
3. The unpredictable erection
This is the erection that comes and goes during sex – and yes, you probably don’t like it.
These types of erections usually have nothing to do with your partner, your attraction to them, etc. Unpredictable erections often occur with age, when hormone levels and blood flow change and by all means occurs when you smoke, drink or do not exercise (because of blood flow). Finally, stress and anxiety can stop an erection in its tracks because these neurotransmitters go, “wait, stop! We have things to worry about!” Hear me talk with urologist Dr. Edward Karpman here.
4. The “I’m ready to have sex” erection.
You are activated! You are excited! Cue boner! Just like your classic erection.
5. The “But am I pooping?” Erection
It happens…and it’s normal. Blood can flow to the penis, pelvic floor and rectum while straining a bowel movement. Also, the parasympathetic nervous system strikes again: it is responsible for sexual arousal and excretion. Finally, the prostate gland is located near the rectum, and pushing a bowel movement puts pressure on it. Does the pressure on the prostate gland feel good? It sure does.
6. The Accidental Erection
Here you are, minding your own business, when bam: erection. Do you remember these from your teenage years?
It’s not necessarily a sign that you’re aroused. Usually, it’s just your testosterone levels, which spike and level off. If it happens and you need it to go away quickly, here’s a tried and true trick: think of something extremely boring or inherently non-sexual in nature. Your brain will get the message.
7. The relentless erection
The technical term for an erection that won’t go away is “priapism.” And it can be painful! When blood doesn’t flow from your penis, it’s time to see a doctor. There could be an underlying medical condition at play.
8. The erection of the plane
Let’s just say the research on this is… scant, but plane erections are a thing, and there’s a theory: changes in air pressure.
As the pressure changes in the cabin, so does your blood pressure (as the thinking goes). This change could relax your arteries, facilitating blood flow to the penis, but again. Until we have studies, the jury is out.
9. The “I Have To Pee” erection.
This is probably because of your pelvic floor muscles. When you need to pee, you naturally contract your pelvic floor to hold the pee in and squeezing it is… ding ding! A Kegel exercise, which many people use to enhance their orgasm. (PS, any gender can practice these).
Since your pelvic floor is involved in orgasm, stimulating it in this way can throw off your neurotransmitters, priming your penis for action. Try to sit and pee like this until your erection settles down.
And there you have it: the hard facts of erection. Share this guide with anyone who has ever experienced an erection mystery – a difficult one, if you will.
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