What makes you erect

Is erectile dysfunction inevitable? Shorter penises make bigger erections. Research shows that men with shorter penises experience erections that increase penis size by 86 percent. For longer penises, the growth is more like 47 percent. The average erection is 5. A study attempted to settle penis size once and for all. The findings: The average erect penis is just shy of 5. The data came directly from study participants, who self-measured, so there is the question of how many exaggerated.

When flaccid, it measures 9. ED can signal a serious health problem. Sometimes, sexual problems are a sign of bigger issues. Lifestyle choices can make you more prone to ED.

Men have between three to five erections per night. Review our ED Treatments page to learn more about treatment options such as lifestyle changes, medication or a penile implant. How Does an Erection Occur? What Makes a Penis Erect? Figure 1 The magic happens when you become aroused. Figure 2 Open arteries allow more blood to enter the corpora cavernosa. Figure 3 When your brain stops sending signals that indicate sexual arousal, the hormonal response ends.

The blood flow to your penis is inadequate. High blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes can all affect blood flow to the penis, making erections difficult to achieve. Your erectile tissue is damaged. This can happen when a man has undergone radiation treatment for prostate or bladder cancer.

Erectile Dysfunction treatment options ». Physical or psychological factors can contribute to erectile dysfunction ED or premature ejaculation PE. In other cases, a person may have a prolonged erection unrelated to sexual activity or interest, which is known as priapism.

Medications, drugs, and injury can cause priapism, which can be a serious condition due to the risk of permanent tissue damage. A variety of factors can temporarily cause erection problems. These include :. In addition to temporary causes of erection trouble, medical issues can also cause short- or long-term ED. For example, after receiving treatment for prostate cancer, some people may develop ED.

However, it is still possible for these individuals to regain full sexual function. ED affects as many as 30 million people with a penis. ED occurs when a person is unable to get or keep an erection long enough for sexual activity. Several factors, such as stress or relationship issues, can worsen ED. Some common causes of ED include:. Several treatments are available for ED, including medications, physical interventions, and, potentially, surgery.

PE is a form of sexual dysfunction that may prevent people from having satisfactory sex. Various factors can cause PE. These include psychological causes, such as anxiety or inexperience, and medical causes, such as drug use or health conditions. PE may resolve by itself, or it may require treatment options that will vary due to the underlying cause.

These can include therapy, topical drugs, or using different sexual methods. Priapism is a prolonged erection unrelated to sexual arousal that is also often painful. Certain medications, such as ED drugs, blood thinners, antidepressants , and some blood pressure drugs, can cause priapism. It is important for someone who has had an erection for 4 hours or more to seek immediate emergency care.

Tissue damage can begin 4—6 hours after erection onset. Any damage to the sensitive penile tissue may be permanent and nonreversible. Treatments to help reduce a prolonged erection include :. In some cases, a person may not need to see their doctor for erection troubles. Temporary problems, such as stress or relationship issues, may cause erection difficulties but do not necessarily require a visit to the doctor.

However, a person should talk to their doctor if they frequently have an issue with achieving an erection.