How Long Should an Erection Last?

February 09, 2023

4 mins

For men, satisfactory sex is nearly impossible without an erection.

When erection strength starts to wane, it can be worrying. The fix may be as simple as some lifestyle changes, but it may take prescription erectile dysfunction medications to resolve, too.

But how long should an erection last? And when should you get worried about your erection strength or durability? 

Before getting into the research on erection strength and how long they last, let's understand what they are and how erections happen in the first place. 

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The Basics on How Long Erections Last

• Research indicates that the average episode of vaginal intercourse lasts a little over five minutes. That's a decent proxy for how long the average erection lasts. 

• Erections can last much longer, though if they last for more than four hours (especially with erectile dysfunction medications) you should talk to a medical professional. 

What is an Erection?

An erection is the physical response to sexual stimulation and arousal – but it's not all in the brain. 

The arousal process begins when you encounter mental or physical stimulation, which sends chemical signals to get things moving. Your heart rate increases and blood begins flowing to the penis.

Located in the penis are two tube-like tissues that run down either side of the penis shaft called the corpus cavernosum. Another tube surrounds the urethra and is called the corpus spongiosum. All of these are sponge-like in formation, and during arousal the blood vessels in the penis relax and blood flows into these tissues. They fill with blood, inflating them much like a balloon, to the point of erection. As it fills with blood, the veins that normally usher blood out of the penis are squeezed closed, helping to keep blood in the penis.

When the process occurs normally, the penis contains nearly eight times the amount of blood that it normally does when flaccid. 

Three types of erections are:

• Reflexive: This erection occurs when direct physical contact is made to the penis itself or to other erotic areas on the body. It can be involuntary and occur without sexual or stimulating thoughts. 

• Psychogenic: As opposed to physical stimulus, this erection occurs due to mental stimulation, fantasies, or viewing erotic materials. 

• Nocturnal: It’s common for men to experience as many as five erections during sleep each night. They are often the result of various areas of the brain being activated during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, but can also be reflexive.

When arousal or stimulation has stopped, or after orgasm and ejaculation, the blood drains away from the penis and it reverts to its flaccid state. 

How Long Should My Erection Last?

The duration of an erection will vary from one man to the next, and there is no specific timeframe for an erection. An erection typically last anywhere from a few minutes to a half hour. Erections will continue as long as adequate stimulation exists and end when the stimulation has stopped or an orgasm has been achieved. 

It can be possible to achieve orgasm without an erection, so this may not always be the case.

According to research and excluding foreplay, the average amount of time that vaginal intercourse lasts is a little over five minutes. 

Naturally occurring nocturnal erections commonly last between 25 and 35 minutes, but these are without stimulation to begin or orgasm to finish. 

The duration and intensity of erections varies for men based on several contributing factors. These include:

• Activity (whether sex or masturbation)

• Age

• Alcohol or drug use

• Confidence

• Distractions

• Emotional state (purposefully trying for an erection)

• Energy level

• Health

• Level of arousal

• Obesity

• Penis sensitivity

• Prescription or over the counter medications

• Smoker

• Tension 

• Testosterone levels

An erection that has persisted for more than four hours, naturally or after taking medication, could be a sign of priapism. This is a serious medical condition and may require immediate medical attention in order to resolve safely and before permanent damage is done. 

How to Increase the Duration (and Strength) of an Erection 

If you're struggling with maintaining an erection, you may be experiencing erectile dysfunction. There are many factors that could be contributing, but only a few treatments. The best treatments are prescription medications such as sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), or vardenafil (Levitra®). 

These drugs have been used by millions of men and can increase blood flow to the penis to achieve an erection that is suitable for sex. The effects of these medication can vary in length, with Viagra working for about 4 hours and the effects of Cialis working for as long as 36 hours.

In addition to medication, there are a few ways that you can naturally increase the quality and duration of your erection, primarily with a few lifestyle changes:

• Quit smoking: Not only can smoking reduce the strength and ability of your heart and lungs, but the nicotine found in tobacco is a known vasoconstrictor that will tighten arteries and blood vessels. This can lead to an increase in blood pressure and reduce overall blood circulation, both of which can severely impact erection. 

• Eat a balanced diet: Foods that are high in sodium or saturated fat, processed foods, and red meat can all contribute to plugging up your arteries and will have a negative effect on blood flow. Eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and seafood can help to improve your blood flow and various sexual functions.

• Get some more exercise: Walking for as little as 30 minutes a day can dramatically increase your cardiovascular strength and improve blood flow. It can also help you to lose excess weight and slim down. The higher your body mass index (BMI) the more likely you are to experience erectile dysfunction. 

• Cut back on alcohol: Having one or two drinks won’t have a negative impact on sexual function for most men, but heavy consumption can.). Alcohol not only decreases your overall blood volume, but since it is a depressant it can also impact various senses, making arousal more difficult. Long term consumption of alcohol can damage the liver and result in an increase of estrogen in the blood, which harms the sexual functions of men. 

• Reduce stress: Find a healthy way to lower stress. When your body is stressed, it releases the chemical cortisol, which is known to constrict blood vessels and elevate heart rate. This increase in blood pressure can disrupt the erection process and make it much tougher to maintain one. 

• Get enough sleep: Try to get a minimum of six hours of quality sleep a night, but most people should aim for around eight hours. Your body needs time to rest and repair, and cutting back on sleep can affect all of your bodily systems, including those involved with sexual function. Not getting enough sleep can also contribute to other ED risk factors, like cardiovascular conditions and mental health issues.

• Check your medications: Some of the most common causes of sexual dysfunctions are adverse side effects of drugs. Most commonly antidepressants, high blood pressure medicine, tranquilizers, and diuretics. Check if any of your medications have a potential to cause sexual side effects, and if so, talk to your doctor about alternative treatments.

How Rex MD Can Help

The exact time that an erection lasts can vary from person to person, but an erection should last long enough to engage in sex. On average, vaginal intercourse lasts around five minutes and a reflexive erection can last for 30 minutes, thus the average erection can last from five to 30 minutes.

The process of achieving and maintaining an erection is physiologically quite complicated. By making lifestyle changes and using prescription medications like Viagra or Cialis, you should be able to achieve and maintain an erection that lasts long enough for sex.

Curious if medications are right for you? Click here to get started with Rex MD's free, online consultation. If appropriate, you could have generic ED meds delivered in no time.