Surprising Facts About Erections Revealed

Apr 28, 2025

Lecture Notes: 12 Shocking Facts About Erections

Presenter: Dr. Rina Malek, Urologist and Pelvic Surgeon

Introduction

  • Focus on surprising facts about erections.
  • Content addresses Urologic and Sexual Health.

Key Points

1. Fetal Erections

  • Occurrence: Babies can be born with erections.
  • Study: 22% of 50 male fetuses (36-39 weeks) had erections lasting 5-17 minutes.
  • Cause: Believed to be related to the developing nervous system.
  • Interesting Note: Female fetuses can also experience clitoral erections.

2. Composition of the Penis

  • Structure: Not a muscle; composed of spongy tissues (corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum).
  • Mechanism: Fills with blood during an erection, leading to firmness.

3. Nocturnal Erections

  • Phenomenon: Known as "morning wood"; occurs during REM sleep.
  • Frequency: 3-5 erections per night.
  • Purpose: Possibly maintains penile health by ensuring blood flow.

4. Penile Spines in Ancestors

  • Historical Aspect: Early humans and some animals have penile spines for sensitivity and displacing semen.
  • Evolution: Human loss of spines linked to brain development and complex social interactions.

5. Myths about Penile Size

  • Myth: Shoe size or height predicts erection size.
  • Reality: No correlation; influenced by genetics and health factors like obesity and smoking.

6. Orgasms without Erections

  • Explanation: Orgasms can occur without erections, separating the physiological responses.

7. Penile Fracture

  • Risk: Rare but serious injury from forcefully bending the erect penis.
  • Statistics: 1 in 175,000 ER visits.
  • Common Cause: Certain sexual positions.

8. Showers vs. Growers

  • Definition: "Showers" have little size change when erect; "Growers" increase significantly.
  • Factors: Elasticity of the tissue.

9. Historical Context: Corn Flakes

  • Origin: Created by John Harvey Kellogg to reduce libido by offering bland food.

10. Smoking and Penile Health

  • Impact: Can cause erectile dysfunction and shrinkage due to vascular damage.
  • Advice: Quitting smoking helps maintain erectile function.

11. Death Erections

  • Phenomenon: Known as "Angel lust"; occurs at death, especially by hanging.

12. Internal Component of Erection

  • Structure: Half of the erectile tissue is inside the body.
  • Impact: Weight gain can make the penis appear smaller by covering the base.

Conclusion

  • Encouragement to engage with content and subscribe for more information on sexual health.
  • Reminder: Personal health care is important.

Full transcript