Understanding Erections: A Comprehensive Guide to Erectile Dysfunction and Sexual Health

Whether you’re a man, woman, or non-binary individual, if you’re sexually active, you’ve probably had a run-in or two (hopefully good ones) with an erection. Most of us are pretty familiar with the primary cause of an erection – feelings of arousal and physical stimulation. But do you know how the body works to make someone hard? It’s a pretty nifty trick that’s both physical and mental. In other words, it takes the big head and little head working together to create a rock-hard erection necessary for penetrative sex.

The penis is the male sexual organ. It has a long shaft, and at the end of the shaft is the head (or glans). Inside the shaft and running the length of the penis are two cylindrical chambers called the corpora cavernosa. A tube called the urethra runs alongside these chambers, which is how the body expels urine and semen. There are two primary arteries in the penis, one in each of the corpora cavernosa, as well as several veins, which work to move blood in and out of the penis. Nerves in the penis relay information to and from the brain and other areas of the body. So, how does all this create a boner?

Here’s an essential thing about erections to remember. They always start in the brain! Something a guy saw, felt, heard, dreamt, thought, smelled, or sensed triggered the brain to relay chemical messages to the blood vessels in the penis. Afterward, the body takes over to create the physical boner. When the brain signals the penis, it relaxes the arteries in the corpora cavernosa, allowing a whole lot more blood to rush into the penis. At the same time, the brain tells the veins in the penis to contract. So, now you have much blood rushing into the corpora cavernosa without getting out. The penis must expand to accommodate all this excess blood. Tada! It’s boner time!

After you climax or the erotic stimulus goes away, the veins open back up and allow the blood to leave the penis, causing it to become flaccid once again.

Let’s be honest: boners and male performance exaggeration are like peanut butter and jelly – they go together. However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) does not tend to make stuff up, as proven in the results of a 2022 study published in the NIH National Library of Medicine. It stated that men who were measured using a stopwatch took an average of 5 to 7 minutes to reach orgasm and ejaculate, thereby ending their erections.

The study also pointed out that the timeframe between erection and ejaculation does vary significantly, with males lasting anywhere from less than 1 minute to more than 30 minutes. It also reported that about 4% of men suffer from premature ejaculation, meaning they climax before penetration or immediately afterward.

For the record, there is also a dangerous condition called priapism, in which the penis stays hard for more than four hours. This is very dangerous and can cause long-term damage to the penis. If this ever happens, possibly due to taking prescription ED pills, seek emergency help immediately.

There are a lot of potential treatments for erectile dysfunction, ranging from penile implants and injections to prescription drugs like Viagra® and Cialis® to all-natural supplements that many men claim work wonders for their sex lives.

If you’re experiencing ED, natural supplements are a great best place to start looking for solutions. Products like testosterone boosters and male performance enhancers, like Hard Strips, contain ingredients that have been shown to increase energy levels, improve blood flow for erections, and help users achieve better, longer-lasting sexual performance.

If you’re not keen on getting a prescription from your doctor but wouldn’t mind the added confidence that comes with a harder, firmer erection, give natural solutions a try. You’ve got nothing to lose and possibly much erection power to gain.