Many men want to know if they are “normal” when it comes to anything related to sex and sexual activity.

One of the things men want to know is how long the average erection lasts so they can be sure theirs last long enough.

But the truth is, there is no average time an erection should last.

Every man and every sexual experience is different.

Men can experience up to 20 erections a day, and each will likely last for a different amount of time and will be caused by different things.

Even though there is no average time an erection should last, there are things you can do to make them last longer.

In the article below, we will discuss how long erections can last and what you can do to prolong an erection.

Are There Different Types of Erections?

Most people are aware that not all erections come from being sexually aroused.

Nocturnal erections are a prime example of that.

Nocturnal erections occur while you sleep and are sometimes referred to as morning wood.

These erections are unconscious and uncontrollable and can occur between 3-5 times per night, lasting for up to 25 minutes.

Check out our article on How To Find The Best Erectile Dysfunction Clinic. We can help you with ED Treatments like Acoustic Wave Therapy that can help you have great sex again. 

A reflexogenic erection happens when something physically touches the genitals and triggers arousal.

And finally, a psychogenic erection occurs in response to mental stimuli, like sexual memories or fantasies.

And age has its part to play too.

The average duration of an erect penis decreases as we get older.

Men under 30 lasting typically last about two minutes longer than men over 50.

This is often due to a medical condition men over 50 are more likely to have, like high blood pressure.

How Do Erections Occur?

Erections are a physical experience, but the process starts in the brain.

There are many psychological factors involved in achieving an erection.

The first step in achieving an erection is sexual stimulation, which can occur through any of our senses.

This triggers arousal and sends messages via the nerves to tell the brain to stimulate penile blood vessels. 

Arteries in the penis open up to allow more blood flow while veins close.

This traps the blood in penis tissue called the corpora cavernosa and causes the penis to expand and become rigid. 

When blood flow stops after ejaculation or when sexual arousal ends for whatever reason, the penis will become soft or flaccid again. 

How Long Should an Erection Last?

There’s no specific length of time your erections should last.

The amount of time you stay erect will vary based on your level of sexual stimulation, your mood, health conditions, the time it typically takes for you to ejaculate, and various other factors. 

A 2005 study involving 500 couples in five countries found that the total time passed from the start of sex until intravaginal ejaculation ranged from under one minute to as long as 44 minutes.

So people tend to have sex for varying amounts of time.

The same study concluded that the median time was about five minutes.

This doesn’t mean that your erections should always last for a certain amount of time.

No two erections or sexual experiences are the same.

Erections are always going to vary in duration.

But if you frequently lose your erection during sex before you ejaculate, or you find it challenging to achieve an erection in the first place, you may have erectile dysfunction. 

Erectile dysfunction is a common sexual dysfunction, even in younger men, but it’s also treatable.

Your healthcare provider can refer you to an ED specialist that can provide you with numerous options to help you achieve and maintain your erections, improving your sexual performance.

Can Erections Last Too Long?

Many men want to maintain their erections as long as possible, but erections can last for too long.

If you have an erection that lasts for more than 4 hours, there is a medical problem that could cause permanent damage.

When you have an erection that lasts for too long, the tissue in the penis can die due to the absence of oxygen.

You need to consult a doctor as soon as possible to diagnose the problem before permanent damage occurs.

Can You Improve Erections?

If you have difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection or your erections aren’t as firm as you’d like, you can do a few things to improve your erections.

But before you try any of these, always consult with an ED specialist.

• ED medications: Oral medications for erectile dysfunction are safe and effective if prescribed by a doctor.
• Foreplay: Some men have erection issues because they have psychological issues. Maybe their “head isn’t in the game,” or they can’t get in the mood. Slowing things down and spending more time on foreplay might help.
• Lifestyle changes: Healthy men typically have firmer, longer-lasting erections. Simple lifestyle changes, like regular exercise and eating a healthy diet, will sometimes improve ED.

Can Masturbation Affect How Long an Erection Lasts?

How often you masturbate should not affect how long your erections last.

Physiologically speaking, an erection during masturbation is similar to an erection during intercourse.

But some things may cause erection problems, like:

• Fatigue
• Stress
• Depression
• Performance anxiety
• Relationship Issues
• Alcohol
• Recreational drugs
• Poor diet
• Lack of exercise

Some medications can also affect erections, including blood pressure medication and drugs for allergies, anxiety and depression, cold and flu, and sleeplessness. 

Contact The ED Specialist At Choice Men’s Health

There’s no average time for how long your erections should last

But the good news is that you can do a few things to help make them last for longer.

One of the best things you can do if you have erections problems or problems with your sexual performance is to visit an ED specialist.

Choice Men’s Health in Atlanta knows how difficult it can be not to be able to achieve or sustain an erection.

Our specialists can help you feel like yourself again.

Contact us today for your private consultation if you have any further questions about erections or sexual dysfunctions. 

Here at Choice Men’s Health, we are dedicated to helping men regain the confidence they thought they had lost.

Schedule an appointment with our ED Specialists to get started on your Erectile Dysfunction Treatment by calling (404) 400-3717 or filling out a form here.