# Question about erections **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 15, 2004, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231 "2004-05-15T04:45:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![habs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecae2f/32.png) [@habs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/habs)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/1 "2004-05-15T04:45:56Z")
I’m confused about what seem to be somewhat contradictory information regarding penile erections. Warning labels for drugs such as Viagra and Cialis indicate that, with usage of those medications, a resulting erection lasting longer than 4 hours is very serious and requires immediate medical attention. Yet don’t most men commonly have 4-hour long (or more) nocturnal erections during sleep? Why are those not considered medically serious? Why the apparent difference between a medically-induced erection and a naturally-occurring one? ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/2 "2004-05-15T04:53:56Z")
Ah, yes, a topic I’m on top of. 😃 The erection resulting from taking these medications is not actually medically-induced. They don’t make the erection, they just make it possible. You still have to be stimulated in order to become erect. Also, nocturnal erections happen several times during the night, not all night all at once. They come and go. ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/3 "2004-05-15T06:15:07Z")
You definitely don’t have an erection lasting 4+ hours at night – you have several erections that are (much) shorter. The reason erections are dangerous if they last more than four hours is that the blood pooled in the erectile tissue can start clotting, and of course then the blood clots can circulate around and kill you. Or even worse, damage your penis! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/4 "2004-05-15T12:43:25Z")
> [@](#): > > They come and go. Well, yes… ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/5 "2004-05-15T17:43:44Z")
> [@chorpler](#): > > the blood clots can circulate around and kill you. Or even worse, damage your penis! > > 🙂 Nice to know you’ve got your priorities straight. ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/6 "2004-05-16T00:20:38Z")
Here’s a thread that yours truly posted last week. > **[Four hour erection](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=254315)** > > Viagra, Levitra and Cialis. These are the three drugs out there being prescribed for men with erectile dysfunction. All three help increase blood flow to the penis, in order for an erection to occur. When you read the common and not so common side... ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/7 "2004-05-16T01:37:18Z")
'Tis a condition called [priapism](http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic486.htm). I imagine the likelihood of a Viagra boner actually being serious is next to nil, but hey, they gotta cover their ass somehow. Note that in some instances, priapism can cause one to lose penile function… but then you can always just take some more Viagra to get it back, right? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/8 "2004-05-16T01:40:15Z")
> [@SPOOFE](#): > > Note that in some instances, priapism can cause one to lose penile function… but then you can always just take some more Viagra to get it back, right? **WRONG**. That sort of structural damage to the penis won’t benefit much if at all from pharmacologic intervention. Implants would probably be necessary. QtM, MD ---
**Author:** ![Wasabee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f05b48/32.png) [@Wasabee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wasabee)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/9 "2004-05-16T01:45:09Z")
Here’s a question… Now Does the erection stay for a period of time regardless if orgasm is reached? If I pop a pill and get my tower raised… and 10 or so minutes later I finish my business… will the erection stay or will it go? ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/10 "2004-05-16T01:47:23Z")
Personally, I thought that “warning” was a reverse warning: puffing in disguise. A guy reads that (or hears it on TV) and says, “Four hours!” God, I’ve got to get that. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/11 "2004-05-16T01:52:56Z")
> [@Wasabee](#): > > Here’s a question… Now Does the erection stay for a period of time regardless if orgasm is reached? If I pop a pill and get my tower raised… and 10 or so minutes later I finish my business… will the erection stay or will it go? With a priapism, orgasm usually isn’t even an option. It’s too painful. If orgasm is managed, the erection will still persist. Check out the thread cited above. It tells of how to replicate the priapism experience with simple home equipment like tight wires and cutting devices. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/12 "2004-05-16T02:01:28Z")
I intended to put the end quotation mark at the end of the sentence. I didn’t mean I got to get it. I don’t need it, and I’m 66 years of age. But while I’m here again, I reluctantly would like to hijack this thread. I know this is something I should ask my urologist, but maybe QM or some other doctor (or anyone with knowledge on this subject) can answer, as I won’t see my urologist for another year. I had laser surgery for BPH six months ago. Fortunately, there were no adverse effects, except possibly for this: I get erections still and can achieve orgasm, but there is no ejaculation. Zilch. No spermatic fluid, no sperm, nothing. Is this due to age or to the operation? I had ejaculate before the operation. ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/13 "2004-05-16T02:07:44Z")
> [@SPOOFE](#): > > 'Tis a condition called [priapism](http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic486.htm). I imagine the likelihood of a Viagra boner actually being serious is next to nil, but hey, they gotta cover their ass somehow. > > Note that in some instances, priapism can cause one to lose penile function… but then you can always just take some more Viagra to get it back, right? Hmm, this makes one wonder…can your body then build up an immunity, in a sense, to Viagra, causing it to lose its effectiveness? - Jinx ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/14 "2004-05-16T02:11:55Z")
> [@barbitu8](#): > > I intended to put the end quotation mark at the end of the sentence. I didn’t mean I got to get it. I don’t need it, and I’m 66 years of age. > > But while I’m here again, I reluctantly would like to hijack this thread. I know this is something I should ask my urologist, but maybe QM or some other doctor (or anyone with knowledge on this subject) can answer, as I won’t see my urologist for another year. I had laser surgery for BPH six months ago. Fortunately, there were no adverse effects, except possibly for this: I get erections still and can achieve orgasm, but there is no ejaculation. Zilch. No spermatic fluid, no sperm, nothing. Is this due to age or to the operation? I had ejaculate before the operation. You’re probably having retrograde ejaculation; quite common after prostate surgery. All your ejaculate goes into the bladder instead of out. Not a health risk, just disconcerting. [http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/10523.html](http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/10523.html) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/15 "2004-05-16T02:15:58Z")
> [@Wasabee](#): > > Here’s a question… Now Does the erection stay for a period of time regardless if orgasm is reached? If I pop a pill and get my tower raised… and 10 or so minutes later I finish my business… will the erection stay or will it go? Well, as a user of the Little Blue Wonder… My experience is that it tends to go down slower after climax. This is not necessarily a good thing, cuz it leads the wife to think that I am ready to go again _right now!_ :eek: It can be a bit weird to have Junior stay hard while you are nipping out to the fridge for a beer. 😃 Then it gets erect again much easier and much sooner than without. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/16 "2004-05-16T02:20:32Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > Check out the thread cited above. It tells of how to replicate the priapism experience with simple home equipment like tight wires and cutting devices. I refuse to read anything that references the terms ‘penis’ and ‘cutting devices’ in the same post. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/17 "2004-05-16T02:36:10Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > You’re probably having retrograde ejaculation; quite common after prostate surgery. All your ejaculate goes into the bladder instead of out. Not a health risk, just disconcerting. > [http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/10523.html](http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/10523.html) Thanks, \*\* QM \*\*. Do you think this is temporary or permanent? If the nerve was damaged it will be permanent probably (unless it regenerates). I was thinking this was a temporary condition after the surgery, but it has been six months now, and I’m beginning to think it’s permanent, not that I really care. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/18 "2004-05-16T15:40:58Z")
> [@barbitu8](#): > > Thanks, \*\* QM \*\*. Do you think this is temporary or permanent? If the nerve was damaged it will be permanent probably (unless it regenerates). I was thinking this was a temporary condition after the surgery, but it has been six months now, and I’m beginning to think it’s permanent, not that I really care. I’d guess permanent, but ask your urologist who did the procedure. ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/19 "2004-05-16T21:28:25Z")
> [@Wasabee](#): > > Here’s a question… Now Does the erection stay for a period of time regardless if orgasm is reached? If I pop a pill and get my tower raised… and 10 or so minutes later I finish my business… will the erection stay or will it go? Let’s clear up a false conception about these ‘miracle pills’. You don’t ‘pop’ one and have an instant erection. You will wait one to two hours before these dudes find there way to the place where they are going to do their thing. They don’t work like an aspirin where your headache goes away ten minutes later. Viagra, the first one on the market, runs close to the two hour mark. Lavitra, the second one on the market, brings the time lag down to 30 minutes to an hour. The new guy in town, Cialis, has an end time, you could call it, because it is supposed to remain in your system for 38 hours. This does not mean that you can have 38 erections in 38 hours. What it is trying to accomplish is allowing the gentleman to choose WHEN he will have sex. If you are following me, if honey would like sex NOW, and you are on Viagra or Levitra, your response is to keep on building that bird house and say ‘ok…see ya in an hour’. On the other hand, if you expect to have relations in the next 38 hours, and you took Cialis, when honey is ready, you’ll be ready. Or, so the Cialis people will have you believe. My cite is me on the first two. I’ll get back to you on the third one. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![SSgtBaloo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@SSgtBaloo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSgtBaloo)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231/20 "2004-05-16T21:48:25Z")
> [@SCSimmons](#): > > I refuse to read anything that references the terms ‘penis’ and ‘cutting devices’ in the same post. :eek: Motion seconded! All in favor? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-erections/245231.md?page=2)