How to get an erection faster and stay hard longer - K Health (2024)

If you're having trouble getting or keeping an erection, you're not alone. According toand study18 million men in America have at least some difficulty getting hard enough to engage in sexual activity. While men who are older or have heart diseasehypertension, or diabetes have a greater risk of erection problems, anyone can suffer from it.

Whether you occasionally cannot get an erection or suffer from chronic erectionerectile dysfunction, it's often frustrating. It is also normal to want to get an erection faster and keep it longer. So keep reading. I'll walk you through the science behind erections and share steps you can try to increase your chances of getting erections more often.

(Want to find an ED treatment that's right for you?Read more here.)

What is an erection?

An erection is when the penis becomes filled with blood and ready for sexual activity.

When a man is not sexually aroused, his penis is soft or flaccid. The muscles around the arteries in his penis are tight, restricting blood flow to the spongy erectile tissue (the corpus cavernosa) that makes up most of the organ.

During the arousal process, when a man is sexually stimulated, his brain sends signals through his nervous system to the muscles surrounding the arteries in his penis, telling them to relax, expand, and allow more blood to fill the corpus cavernosa. As more blood flows in, pressure builds up in the penis, engulfing it and hardening it for sexual activity.

Because sexual arousal involves so many players—the brain, heart, blood, nerves, muscles, and more—many different things can keep a penis from performing the way you want it to. Some men suffer from physical conditions that hinder their sexual responses; others may develop erectile dysfunction due to a combination of physical andmental problems.

Why make an erection last longer?

There is no one way to have a good sexual experience, and not everyone needs or wants their sexual experiences to last longer. If you feel satisfied with your erection and enjoy sexual activities with or without a partner, then learning how to maintain your erection may not be a high priority for you.

However, if you have trouble getting and keeping an erection, feel sexually dissatisfied, ejacul*te too early for your liking, or find it difficult to experience pleasure, it may be worth learning how to have an erection can get an erection.harder erectionor one that lasts longer.

What is erectile dysfunction?

erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man has difficulty getting or keeping his penis erect long enough to engage in satisfactory sexual activity. Most men will have difficulty getting an erection at some point in their lives. However, for men with ED, these challenges persist and can impact their quality of life.

Although erectile dysfunction can sometimes be frustrating or embarrassing, the condition is widespread. It ismost commonsexual dysfunction in men and mainly affects patients with pre-existing conditions or the elderly. Around the rain70%of men aged 70 and over indicate that the problems are becoming serious.

This inability to perform sexually often causes significant intimacy problems when someone is in a relationship. Research has shown that erection problems can occurreduced sexual desirefor both partners and sometimes it can end your sex life completely. Sexual dissatisfaction informs and exacerbates other tensions in a relationship, ultimately putting couples at greater risk for conflict and conflict.

The good news is that you can take steps to get an erection faster, stay hard longer, and be more sexually satisfied in the long run.

(Want to find an ED treatment that's right for you?Read more here.)

This way you stay hard longer

Several things can help improve your sexual responsiveness and your ability to get hard for longer.

• Change your diet: Developing healthy eating habits can make a big difference in your overall health and also help your erections. Keep your circulatory system strong by eating a heart-healthy diet,flavonoid-rich foodssuch as berries, cherries, soybeans, apples and green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. Although there is no specific diet for erectile dysfunction, some studies suggest that afterwardMediterranean dietcan help prevent ED.
• Participate in regular exercise: Do activities you enjoy and remember that you don't have to do everything. According to one study, simplygojust half an hour a day can reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction by about 40%. Kegel exercises, the kind that strengthen the pelvic floor, can be another way to improve your sexual response.
• Quit smoking and cut down on alcohol: Both can negatively impact your ability to get and keep an erection.
• Watch your weight:Studies impliesthat men who fall into the overweight or obese categories may experience better erectile function if they lose weight.
• Reduce stress: Stress oneangstcan cause ED. Even worse, experiencing problems with sexual performance can lead to increased stress, creating a cycle. Stress is a part of everyday life, so find what works to help you manage it. If you think you have a more serious or chronic mental illness, orfear of failure, make an appointment with a licensed mental health professional. They can help you solve your problems safely and effectively.
• Prioritize sleep: Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and insomnia are quite common in men with ED. Create a bedtime routine to help you wind down in the evening and make sure your bedroom is cool, dark and restful.
• Work with your partner: If you're in a relationship, open communication about sexual and emotional challenges can increase intimacy, ease anxiety, and reduce the pressure you feel about the need to perform.

Prescription options for longer erections

If you continue to have difficulty maintaining an erection after adopting a healthier lifestyle, make an appointment with your doctor. They can do tests to assess whether you have an underlying health condition and prescribe medications to help you achieve firmer, healthier erections.

There are four FDA-approved prescription drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction:Sildenafil(Viagra),tadalafil(Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra) and avanafil (Stendra).

These oral medications work by blocking the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) and increasing the amount of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the body. Under normal conditions, PDE5 breaks down cGMP, a molecule that helps the muscles in the penis relax and expand enough to allow more blood flow. By suppressing PDE5, each of these drugs increases the availability of cGMP and improves blood circulation in the penis.

Sildenafil(Viagra) was the first drug developed to treat erectile dysfunction in men. You take a dose 30 minutes to an hour before sexual stimulation, and the effects can last 3-5 hours (although erections should never last longer than four hours).

Vardenafil (Levitra) is structurally similar to sildenafil, but much more sobiochemically powerful. This means you can take lower doses (usually 10 milligrams versus 50 with sildenafil) with less risk of side effects and still achieve similar results.

Due to its structuretadalafil(Cialis) is metabolized more slowly in your body, meaning you can take it before engaging in any sexual activity. The effects may be possiblelast 36 to 72 hours.

Stendra, the newest PDE5 inhibitor on the market, has fewer side effects and drug interactions than older, more established prescription drugs. It is the only drug on this list that is not available in generic form.

When should you consult a doctor?

Safe, satisfying sexual activity is an integral part of a healthy life. If you occasionally have trouble getting or keeping an erection, you probably don't have to worry. Most men experience a problem with sexual responsiveness at some point in their lives. If you find that you are chronically struggling to get hard or stay hard, if you have a lower libido than you would like, or if your erectile dysfunction is affecting your quality of life, contact your doctor to discuss your options.

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K Health articles are all written and reviewed by physicians, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied upon as professional medical advice. Always discuss the risks and benefits of any treatment with your doctor.