Spontaneous erections

[Trab]

When I started reading the gay stories at AD, one of the first things that I noticed was that there were lots of references to spontaneous erections happening to teenaged (and older) guys. Although I took these references to be valid, it was without any personal knowledge of this occurence.

When I was a pre-teen, teen, and post-teen I never had a spontaneous erection except wet dreams at night. It was only recently that I realized that this may have been because of my brain suppressing my sexuality, but there may also be another reason. I wish to explore one particular possibility with you all in the form of honest feedback.

I am uncircumsized. I can go through the day, completely covered and experience no particular 'growth', even when faced with major eye candy. This is where the discussion might be too explicit for some, but I have no shame, so 'suck it up guys'. Okay, that came out wrong. Damn, another bad choice of words. However, I have found that I can roll the foreskin inward, and have the head of the penis exposed on a continual basis, almost like a cut penis. This simple thing is enough to provide some level of stimulation by simply moving around, walking, etc, and I find that I can indeed experience spontaneous erections this way.

The questions I have are to do with the possibility that circumcision is the root cause of spontaneous erections, particularly amongst teens. I would like to hear back from guys who are cut and don't have these erections, guys who are uncut who do, and of course everyone else who has ideas on this. One thing I've noticed is that there are far fewer references to this 'problem' coming from authors in countries where circumcision is not a norm.

[Graeme]

I'm circumcised and yes, I've had spontaneous erections, though they are a lot less frequent now.

[Tanuki Racoon]

I'm circumcised and yes, I've had spontaneous erections, though they are a lot less frequent now.

Same answer as Graeme though I can't believe I'm admitting it. But I still get 'em when I see something I like but not always. When I was 16 I just got 'em all the time for no reason whatsoever.

And of course, sometimes a story will wake up my little pet sausage.

[JamesSavik]

Blush I always though it had a mind (and schedule) of its own.

[Camy]

:icon_geek: Umm ... uncircumcised, and mine definitely has a mind of its own.

[blue]

I feel like the Closet's turning into the Lockerroom....

Hmm, on the other hand, it's an honest question about things that aren't so comfortable to ask elsewhere in mixed company. (You know, I wonder if it's bad that we often can't ask things like that, at least of our other same-sex friends of any orientation.)

OK, Trab, you asked for WHY it happens, not just for what people have experienced. I'll try to answer, but I'm not a doctor.

A spontaneous erection is just that: spontaneous, for no particular reason. It doesn't mean that a guy just saw someone he thinks is the cutest or hottest human being ever. A guy can see the most wonderful person in the world to him and not get hard the first time or every time he sees that person. A guy can get hard for no reason at all: the wind blows; he's not thinking of anything; he's relaxed; he's very stressed...anything; he just gets an erection spontaneously, by definition.

OK, but why, you ask? Basically, the answer is twofold. (1) Hormones and pheromones. When a male's hormones go up the right way, uh, so does his penis. If he gets the right hormonal signals (pheromones) from another person, same thing, he gets hard. (2) Psychological. If he's turned on in the right way, he's gonna get an erection.

Notice I said, "in the right way," both times. A guy's hormones can go through the roof and yet he isn't hard all the time during that. A guy can like who he sees and not get hard constantly or frequently. It's in the right combination that it all, er, comes together. (LOL, sorry, couldn't resist the pun.)

I also said that being relaxed or stressed will do it. The "fight or flight" response means that guys can get an erection when aggressive or when frightened. Supposedly, the anthropologists and behaviorists say, this is intended as a signal to show that the male is more virile, powerful, potent, dangerous, bigger.... Yes, he's showing he's literally bigger than the other guy and more capable of impregnating, uh, whoever's around...? Ahem.

Being relaxed can do it. Er, if I've been tensed up and then relax when I lay down or whatever, I uh, tend to get...well, I do!

Hey, when I was a teen, there were even times of day or no particular reason, it just happened. Embarrassing, yes.

Lucky for me, I never got hard in a group shower... mostly because I avoided those.

-----

OK, what about erections, generally?

Guys get erections throughout their lives. It happens in REM sleep, even in babies. It can happen when there's pressure on the prostate, including needing to go. It can happen spontaneously. Of course, it can happen with (ahem) stimulation of the organs in question. It can happen when you see someone you really like. It can even happen non-sexually. Yes, it happens to babies all the way up to "really old guys."

Hey, it's cool, alright?

Don't worry, either, if you don't get 'em spontaneously much. Doesn't mean there's necessarily something wrong. If you get hard at all, then it's working the way it's designed to work. If you're worried about it, either too often or not enough, then hey, talk to a doctor.

Geez, you bunch of boners. LOL. -- OK, how was that, informative without being too over the top?

Hmm.... I could say more, but I'll demure for now.

[colinian]

Mine also definitely has a mind of its own. I'm cut, with occurrence often at the most embarrassing times. WHY does it have to happen when I have to walk up to the board to solve a math problem? With nothing that would initiate the occurrence? And I can't even enjoy the occurrence!!

Colin

[Camy]

*Off Topic*

In my 'house' at school there were four showers; two individual ones, and a double one that had the nickname: 'the benders shower'. consequently no one would ever go in there out of choice - unless ordered to by a prefect. It was one of my biggest fears, being told to go in there AND then having an erection. *shudders*

Sex drive varies a lot, and fades the older you get. Some people are very highly sexed, whilst others aren't. I really wouldn't worry about it, Trab. As Blue says, "If you get hard at all, then it's working the way it's designed to work."

[colinian]

*Off Topic*

In my 'house' at school there were four showers; two individual ones, and a double one that had the nickname: 'the benders shower'. consequently no one would ever go in there out of choice - unless ordered to by a prefect. It was one of my biggest fears, being told to go in there AND then having an erection. *shudders*

Sex drive varies a lot, and fades the older you get. Some people are very highly sexed, whilst others aren't. I really wouldn't worry about it, Trab. As Blue says, "If you get hard at all, then it's working the way it's designed to work."

Camy, I think what you wrote was "On Topic" sooo...

In my HS you only have to take PE (or gym or whatever you want to call it) in 9th and 10th grades. In 11th and 12 grades PE classes are elective. Needless to say, I did NOT take PE after 10th grade. One of the reasons is that I was scared s***less that I'd get hard (i.e, a spontaneous erection) in the shower or when dressing perving the other guys. Never happened, thank God! For me, fear was a welcome deflater in PE.

Colin

[Trab]

You know, the more I read about it, the more I think that not getting hard is superior to just arbitrarily popping one. Maybe there's something good about being totally suppressed in your teen years.

Don't you wonder a bit about an administration that requires hormoned up teen guys to shower together? Just exactly what is it that they hope to achieve? How expensive is it to install some barricades, like they do in campground shower facilities?

[colinian]

You know, the more I read about it, the more I think that not getting hard is superior to just arbitrarily popping one. Maybe there's something good about being totally suppressed in your teen years.

Trab,

Given the embarrassing alternatives, IMO lack of arbitrariness is far superior to surprises!

Don't you wonder a bit about an administration that requires hormoned up teen guys to shower together? Just exactly what is it that they hope to achieve? How expensive is it to install some barricades, like they do in campground shower facilities?

You know, that's the SOP in public intermediate schools and high schools in the U.S.A. and I think in Canada, too. Maybe it's revenge perpetrated by the PhysEd staffs: "If we had to do it, then by all that's holy these little s**ts are gonna have to do it too!"

Colin

[Trab]

So Colin, you are implying the continuation of sexual abuse by the former victims. I've heard that is often the case with physical abuse. The victim ends up doing the same thing when older.

[JamesSavik]

WHY does it have to happen when I have to walk up to the board to solve a math problem? With nothing that would initiate the occurrence?

Math is sexy

[Trab]

Maybe walking up to the board with 30 some pairs of eyes looking at you, stripping you, picturing you in their arms or beds, is the sexy part.

[Abraxas]

Math is Sexy

NOT!!

[blue]

Math IS sexy. Particularly Algebra I. First class of the day, and midway through class...aw, man, again? For some reason, so was a "Study Skills" course in 9th grade. Right after lunch, too warm in the classroom. Now, if you'd seen me in high school, you probably wouldn't have guessed I was that highly charged. Lunch can be sexy when you're sitting across from...well, he was *nice* in all senses. (Second and biggest crush.)

-----

For some reason, getting up to do a report or a problem on the board seems to be a common time for guys to come to attention, so to speak. I think it's a case of being a hormonal teen plus fight or flight again: you're nervous, so your body gets ready to show the others just how capable you are of performing the task. (OK, the puns are really just goin' there, aren't they?)

Hmm, and I don't know if "everybody else" really notices.

Changing Bodies, Changing Lives by Ruth Bell and, uh, someone else was really helpful to me as a teen. Trying to buy it myself, having my mom notice, and having to explain why I wanted it (because dad's talk was kinda lackluster and not so informative as hoped) was not so helpful. Hah, but they were OK with me buying it. Good info and anecdotes, and it's even well-balanced for gay youth or (coughs) self-exploration. -- I think it's been updated since I read it; it may even still be available.

-----

I know the reason they gave us for group showers was that we were (a) supposed to get used to our bodies and others', and (b) it wasn't supposed to bother anyone. Uh-huh. Tell me any guy, straight or gay, who's not gonna be a little concerned that he might have a spontaneous erection. Every guy knows it can and does happen. It's just embarrassing that it can happen when you don't want it or aren't thinking about it...and around other guys.

Body image and comparing: I'm glad I wasn't the only one who was nervous about seeing or being seen in the buff. I tried to avoid that, mostly, or even to avoid appearing like I was looking. OK, yes, sometimes you see anyway and yes, sometimes you look. What seems a shame is that some of us feel nervous or ashamed about it, while others don't care one way or the other.

[DesDownunder]

Mine does not have a mind of its own, it uses my mind. I know this to be true because when I get an erection I can't think of anything else.

Point one. See a friendly, liberal minded doctor to get an all clear of any underlying health problems.

Point two. When I was young an older friend in his fifties had a cholesterol build up and the strength and frequency of his erection were diminished. The doctors he saw were surprised he still had a sex life at all. They had all been taught that it was usual for the human male to be sexually inactive past 50. (Yes the doctors were not gay.)

Point three. Smoking definitely interferes with sexual drive, it robs the system of the necessary oxygen needed to maintain erectile tissue.

Point four. The Chinese believe that loss of sexual drive is an indication of ill health. If you can't get erect or orgasm, they believe you are ill. They have many herbal supplements to help achieve full function of the little fellow.

Having said that there is also a belief amongst some older Chinese philosophies that as a man ages orgasm frequency should diminish down to around once a month at 60. To me this one has moralistic overtones.

Point five. Supplements can help maintain orgasm and erectile functionality. Watch out for any drug interactions- the net has many good sources to help determine these.

Amino acid complex is particularly good. Musashi being popular.

Tribulus helps some.

Chinese "Deer Velvet" does work for many men.

Vitamin E, preferably in water soluble form is also good but can thicken the resulting ejaculate (fluid).

Protein powders, but watch out for the soy based ones or you might turn gay.

Zinc tablets as a supplement are very effective for the aging man. It is interesting to note that both the eyes and the prostate require zinc for good health. So I wonder if there is some truth about doing it too much causing blindness being of this connection.

Small amounts of alcohol can reduce inhibition, large amounts reduce ability.

Point six. Porn. I noticed when I first started reading porn stories or looking at various pictures on the net that I was stimulated to the point of leaking. As the novelty wore off so too did the stimulation. Invention is required to maintain porn's ability to stimulate. Hence the need for new pics or stories or new partners to share the old ones with. This is actually based on the primal instinct to impregnate as many other people as possible, which is based on the only biological reason for the males existence - to ejaculate. Humans of course do have other reasons and needs for their existence but the primal need still underlies it all.

Point Seven. Stress. Work place stress where you are put under a situation of perform (your work) or you will be fired is one of the great sexual killers. When you are young the force of the normal sexual buildup (every 3 days) will erupt and will need to be released. When you are older however that release can be suppressed. Not good for a sexual life after 40.

Any decent doctor will admit to seeing this effect and that when people remove themselves from the curse of the obsessive work place environment their sexual functions return to normal levels of activity.

As I am cut, I researched the cut/uncut penis with much vigour. Those men who were circumcised after reaching adulthood all report the slightest decrease in sensitivity, which they said was not worth worrying about. They also noticed premature ejaculation was not as frequent or easier to control.

This is by no means a thorough or scientific statement on these matters. However I can from personal observation of others and myself state these conclusions

1. Use it or lose. If you do not maintain orgasm frequency after 40 you will lose both desire and ability. Push (or pull) through the doldrums around that 40-45 period and it will all return.

2. The greatest aphrodisiac is "wanting it."

3. As we age the mental association of affectionate human beings develops a strong reaction that does assist the sexual activity of those people either in isolation or when together.

Love conquers all.

My thoughts anyway.

[colinian]

So Colin, you are implying the continuation of sexual abuse by the former victims. I've heard that is often the case with physical abuse. The victim ends up doing the same thing when older.

Trab,

It wasn't sexual abuse. It was mental abuse!

Colin

[Trab]

Good point Colin. It requires at least the taking of pictures without permission to go beyond simple mental abuse.

Des, I fear that you think I may have a problem, but I don't. I just don't have it spontaneously, having to work a bit to get it 'there'. Fortunately, the work is quite enjoyable, so I am happy to do so as often as I want. I'm in no danger of losing it.

[DesDownunder]

Des, I fear that you think I may have a problem, but I don't. I just don't have it spontaneously, having to work a bit to get it 'there'. Fortunately, the work is quite enjoyable, so I am happy to do so as often as I want. I'm in no danger of losing it.

Trab, I am so sorry if I gave the impression I thought you were asking for help. I really did not assume you were functionally challenged in the area of this topic.

I merely saw the opportunity to address several points that do affect most men over a certain age.

Because I did not want to be seen to be either an expert or to be making health care recommendations I included the statements about checking with a doctor. I think that may have led you to thinking I was trying to assist you with a problem you don't have.

My apologies.

If anyone has any ideas about spontaneous orgasms I think that would be interesting too.

[Josiah Jacobus-Parker]

Math is sexy

no.

Math isDelicious!

[DesDownunder]

Mathew is tasty!

[blue]

"Now with more integers!"

That immediately made me think of real numbers, irrational numbers, and imaginary numbers.

I like people who keep it real. I like people who are a little bit out there or creative. I edit or write fiction, so the imaginary's good.

...OK, so much for thinking...

"Matthew is tasty," eh? Good to know for future reference!

[Rad]

"Now with more integers!"

That immediately made me think of real numbers, irrational numbers, and imaginary numbers.

I like people who keep it real. I like people who are a little bit out there or creative. I edit or write fiction, so the imaginary's good.

...OK, so much for thinking...

"Matthew is tasty," eh? Good to know for future reference!

Don't forget to try Numerical Math! New flavour! YUmmmmm....

Rad