How do I get a long lasting erection?

11 May 2023

How do I get a long lasting erection?

Understanding Your Erectile Function

Nearly every man has experienced it: the penis loses its erection earlier than desired and becomes flaccid. It's perfectly normal for this to happen occasionally, regardless of age. However, if it happens regularly, it can certainly lead to unpleasant feelings, insecurity for you and/or your partner or relational or sexual tension. To understand what you can do to ensure a longer-lasting erection, it's helpful to know what can cause the penis to become flaccid earlier than desired.

Why Doesn't My Penis Stay Hard?

Various factors play an important role in getting and maintaining an erection. The brain, nerves, hormones, muscle tension and blood vessels all contribute to normal sexual functioning. Your psyche also plays a major role in this: how you feel, your thoughts and fantasies and what's going on in your mind all play a key factor in how aroused you become and achieve an erection. In addition to all of the physical and psychological reasons why your penis may not get or remain hard, your lifestyle also plays an important role. Ultimately, we often see in practice that an erectile dysfunction is caused by a combination of different factors.

The experience of feeling the need to perform as a man plays a major role in losing an erection too soon. Because an erection is still seen as the male symbol of good sexual functioning, many men feel the need to get and maintain a stiff penis. Without an erection, good sex (penetration) is not possible, many think. The pressure that comes with this can lead to a stress reaction in both body and mind, which prevents sexual arousal and thus makes the penis flaccid.

Lifestyle and Erectile Dysfunction

Don't underestimate the role of an unhealthy lifestyle either. Smoking and excessive alcohol and/or drug use have a negative effect on your body and mind, including sexual functioning. Poor nutrition, characterized by a lack of essential nutrients, inadequate exercise, overweight, high blood pressure and high cholesterol all have an obvious negative effect on your health. These factors can lead to an increased risk of heart and/or vascular diseases, which in turn leads to erectile dysfunction.

Tips for a Longer-Lasting Erection

The most important first step to take is to determine whether or not you actually have an erectile dysfunction. If you experience this regularly and/or for a longer period of time, it's worth investing your attention in. Be aware of the different causes that can lead to the loss of your erection. Determine whether there's a physical or psychological cause. Perhaps a combination of various factors? Don't forget to also look at your lifestyle. Here are some pointers:

  • If you have well-functioning nocturnal erections and can masturbate without problems, but your erection does not disappear, there is most likely a psychological reason;
  • Try to focus as much as possible on sexual pleasure, instead of having to perform;
  • Take care of yourself and don't lose sight of self-care. Relax regularly, feed yourself well and healthy, exercise regularly and undertake things that give you energy;
  • Be as open and honest as possible with your partner and discuss the situation. This creates more connection and intimacy, and can reduce uncertainty and tension;
  • Consult your doctor if you suspect a physical cause or if the problem persists for a long time. A referral to a psychologist or sexologist can be helpful.

We hope these tips will help you with a longer-lasting erection! Read more about sexual topics at Womens Health Mag.