12 Surprising Facts About Erections - Healthline

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribe

Sexual Health

Explore more in ED

Related Topics

Causes & Risk Factors
Causes & Risk Factors
Related Articles
- Causes & Risk Factors
- Porn
- Alcohol
- Semaglutide
- Beta-Blockers
- Performance Anxiety
- Statins
- Dehydration
- High Cholesterol
- Drug Use
- Over-Exercising
- Xanax
- Ambien
- Smoking Cigarettes
- Chlamydia
- Zoloft
- Post-Vasectomy
- Low Testosterone
- Stress and Anxiety
- Masturbation
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Related Articles
- Diagnosis
- Erection Self-Test
- Blood Tests
Diet
Diet
Related Articles
- Diet
- Libido-Boosting Foods
- Beet Juice
- Watermelon
Home Remedies
Home Remedies
Related Articles
- Home Remedies
- Herbs
- Exercises
- Horny Goat Weed
- Vitamins and Supplements
- Natural Treatments
- Essential Oils
- Korean Red Ginseng
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- L-Arginine
- Yoga Poses
- Ashwagandha
- L-Citrulline
- Magnesium
- Melatonin
- L-Tyrosine
Treatment
Treatment
Related Articles
- ED Cream
- Ayurvedic Medicine
- Best Male Enhancement Pills
- ED Pills Online
- Generic Viagara
- Chewable Medications
- Treatment
- PDE5 Inhibitors
- Viagra
- Penis Pumps
- Over-the-Counter Medication
- P-Shot
- For Seniors
- Viagra Alternatives
- Injections
- Shockwave Therapy
- ED Doctors
- PRP
Management
Management
Related Articles
- Best Penis Sleeves
- Delay Ejaculation
- Management
- Marijuana Use
- ED Pump
- Reversing ED
- Weight Loss
- Best Penis Pumps
- ED Ring
- Acupuncture
- Hypnosis
Related Conditions
Related Conditions
Related Articles
- Related Conditions
- Overactive Bladder (OAB)
- Peyronie's Disease
- Premature Ejaculation
- Sterility
- Iron Deficiency Anemia
- Bladder Cancer
- Parkinson's Disease
Surgery
Surgery
Related Articles
- Surgery

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process

10 Surprising Facts About Erections

Medically reviewed by Matt Coward, MD, FACS — Written by Anna Schaefer — Updated on January 26, 2022

These facts about erections may or may not surprise you, but they certainly are interesting. If you’re a person with a penis, you may be wondering if the erections (or lack of erections) you’re experiencing are typical. Here are a few facts about erections that could be useful to know.

1. People with penises may have 3-5 erections per night

A person with a penis typically has 3-5 erections per night during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. It’s not completely understood why this happens. But many medical professionals say that it’s completely normal.

2. Penises can break

Yes, you can break your penis. It’s not like a broken bone, though — instead, the blood vessels within the penis burst, causing painful swelling. According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, one-third of penile fracture cases are attributed to sexual intercourse where the partner is on top.

3. Erections can happen early

Like “in-the-womb” early.

Although it hasn’t been studied in detail, it’s believed that fetal erections can be caused by contractions of the pelvic muscles and changes in blood flow.

According to one 2020 review, fetal erections are especially common during the third trimester of pregnancy and can occur an average of 1-3 times per hour.

4. The penis isn’t a muscle or bone

Contrary to popular belief, the penis isn’t actually a bone or a muscle at all.

Instead, the penis is composed of three sponge-like cylindrical chambers, which gradually fill with blood when you feel aroused.

This results in increased pressure, which prevents blood from flowing out of the penis and causes an erection.

5. The average erection is 5.1-5.5 inches long

Although most men believe that the average erection is over 6 inches long, one large review estimates that it’s actually closer to 5.1-5.5 inches.

You cannot change the length or size of your penis with medication or exercises.

6. ED can affect young people

Though the risk of ED increases with age, it’s a common problem that affects many young people as well.

According to one 2021 study, approximately 11 percent of sexually active men between the ages of 18-31 reported mild ED, while nearly 3 percent reported experiencing moderate-to-severe ED.

Learn more about if ED is inevitable.

7. ED can signal a serious health problem

Sometimes, sexual dysfunction is a sign of bigger issues. In fact, any disease that affects hormone levels, smooth muscle tissue, or the nerves or arteries of the penis can contribute to ED.

In particular, ED can be caused by conditions like:

heart disease
diabetes
high blood pressure
high cholesterol levels

For this reason, it’s important to talk with your doctor if you experience frequent ED to ensure that it’s not associated with any underlying health problems.

8. Erections aren’t required for orgasm

Yes, men who can’t achieve erections may still have orgasms.

Many men with ED are able to reach orgasm or ejaculate through sexual stimulation or intercourse, even without an erection.

9. Lifestyle choices can make you more prone to ED

Several factors can increase your risk of ED, including stress, anxiety, smoking, and drinking high amounts of alcohol.

Other risk factors for ED include having a body mass index over 25, using certain medications, and cycling for more than 3 hours per week.

Although most men experience problems getting or keeping an erection from time to time, you may want to talk with your doctor or visit a sexual health clinic if it happens frequently or if it’s causing anxiety or issues with your sexual relationships.

Learn about 5 natural treatments for ED.

10. ED stress can make matters worse

Having difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection can cause stress and anxiety, both of which can actually worsen ED.

This is known as psychogenic ED, a condition characterized by sudden, onset erectile dysfunction caused by stress, depression, anxiety, or relationship problems.

Talking with a doctor or sex therapist may be beneficial for addressing stress caused by ED or other issues.

Type: pills, chewable tablets
Treatments offered: Viagra, sildenafil, Cialis, tadalafil, Hard Mints
Prescription needed: yes

SHOP NOW AT HIMS

Type: pills and gummies
Treatments offered: Viagra, generic sildenafil, generic tadalafil, daily generic tadalafil, Cialis
Prescription needed: yes

SHOP NOW AT RO

Takeaway

Understanding exactly what causes an erection and how it works may be especially beneficial for people with a penis.

If you find that you have questions about your penis or erections, and if those questions are negatively affecting your mental health or sexual relationship, be sure to talk with your doctor to find the best answers and options for you.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

5 penis facts. (2021).https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/five-penis-facts/
Calzo JP, et al. (2021). Erectile dysfunction in a sample of sexually active young adult men from a U.S. cohort: Demographic, metabolic and mental health correlates.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32935616/
Erectile dysfunction (impotence). (2020).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/
King BM. (2020). Average-size erect penis: Fiction, fact, and the need for counseling.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0092623X.2020.1787279
Mola JR. (2015). Erectile dysfunction in the older adult male.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26197627/
Mostyn P, et al. (2013). Are men with erectile dysfunction able to ejaculate?--A survey.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23622467/
Panchatsharam PK, et al. (2021). Physiology, erection.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513278/
Penis size. (2018).https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/penis-size/
Sooriyamoorthy T, et al. (2021). Erectile dysfunction.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562253/
Soto AL, et al. (2020). Sonographic measure techniques of fetal penile length.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7494763/
Yafi FA, et al. (2016). Erectile dysfunction.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5027992/

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Matt Coward, MD, FACS — Written by Anna Schaefer — Updated on January 26, 2022

Health Conditions

Condition Spotlight

Wellness Topics

Product Reviews

Featured Programs

Featured

Lessons

Newsletters

Lifestyle Quizzes

Health News

This Just In

Top Reads

Video Series

Find Your Bezzy Community

Follow us on social media

Sexual Health

Related Topics

Causes & Risk Factors

Related Articles

Diagnosis

Related Articles

Diet

Related Articles

Home Remedies

Related Articles

Treatment

Related Articles

Management

Related Articles

Related Conditions

Related Articles

Surgery

Related Articles

1. People with penises may have 3-5 erections per night

2. Penises can break

3. Erections can happen early

4. The penis isn’t a muscle or bone

5. The average erection is 5.1-5.5 inches long

6. ED can affect young people

7. ED can signal a serious health problem

8. Erections aren’t required for orgasm

9. Lifestyle choices can make you more prone to ED

10. ED stress can make matters worse

Takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

Read this next

Contact