"Erections are an involuntary response"?

[redqueen]

I'm not sure this is true. Maybe if the guy in question was a very young teenager.

When I was taking CNA classes, our instructor - a registered nurse - said that this was not true and that no nurse should accept such lame excuses.



This is not a sex thread this is a physiology / mythbusting thread.

[FLAprogressive]

1. uhm yes they are.

[Inchworm]

2. Certain breezes can activate my junk

true story...

:hide:

[3.14158675309]

3. Is blinking or breathing "involuntary"? Those, along with boners, can happen with or without

purposeful intent.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

4. i think they are. maybe he can control himself by not fantacizing about you

but do you control when you get wet?

[redqueen]

8. Yeah... I was wondering about that...

I wonder why this nurse told us that it wasn't true, if it is.

On edit: I tend to think Rabrrrrr is most likely correct about this.

[Schema Thing]

11. was she wearing a nazi uniform?

cuz that's hot!


:P

[lunatica]

89. Was it Nurse Ratchett who never saw an erection in her life?

[FloridaJudy]

101. Jeez...I'm a nurse, and I was told the opposite!

Actually, I suspect it's one of those semi-voluntary things, like breathing. People can hold their breath for a little while, but sooner or later you gotta breathe automatically. And with guys, sooner or later it's gonna pop up. Some can encourage it with porn, or delay it for a while by thinking of their calculus teacher, but eventually the old trouser snake's gonna rise. I was told not to take it personally when it did.

And for adolescents...well, let's just say back-packs have their limitations. I hate to think of guys going through that time without a stack of texts to hide the evidence!

[ipfilter]

5. I just learned there is a medical term for morning wood. Who knew?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nocturnal_penile_tumescence

[geardaddy]

64. You mean "Morning Thickness"?

:D

[ipfilter]

70. I guess the UK calls it Morning Glory.

All this time I thought they were flowers.

[Xipe Totec]

91. Now that's funny!

:rofl:

[LanternWaste]

6. I'm leaning towards the "we can control if we want to" answer.

I'm leaning towards the "we can control if we want to" answer.

I answer this only because your narwhale thread was just about the funniest thing I've ever read on DU-- otherwise, I wouldn't dignify you with an answer... :evilgrin:

[redqueen]

10. You are? You're the only one so far to say so...

so I'm glad you dignified the question (not me) with a response.

[LanternWaste]

47. "Even the Queen farts on Mondays"

Well... let's face it-- there's nothing dignified at all on days like this. :P You are indeed the wind between my cheeks. Wait-- that's not how it goes, is it? Something like that...

"Even the Queen farts on Mondays" (In-Famous words from LW's grandad)

(Apologies for my incoherent-ness. Long day, early morning, etc. blah blah. blah. I should stop now)

[leeroysphitz]

84. I can usually get rid of an unwanted, inappropriate erection but it takes serious concentration

and is by no means instantaneous.

[MrCoffee]

7. I must be some sort of medical miracle then

I sport involuntary wood all the damn time.

[Bake]

23. Just wait until you get older, dude.

Just wait.

Bake

[MrCoffee]

27. You can have my boner when you pry it from my cold, dead hand.

[Bake]

36. Thanks, but I don't want or need your boner!

:rofl:

Be careful, though, not to use 'em all up too soon!

Bake

[BeachBaby]

9. POPCORN TIME!!!!

:popcorn:

[3.14158675309]

31. Don't you have anything to contribute on the topic of erections?

I'd be up for your views....

[BeachBaby]

37. I have all kinds of stuff to contribute.

Wait - what?

[3.14158675309]

41. All you do is give

[TZ]

42. *sigh*

You guys are gonna get this thread locked if you aren't careful. Do I need to spank you and send you to sit in the naughty chair? :rofl:

[3.14158675309]

52. *I'm* going to get a thread locked that includes the word "erection" in its title?

:rofl:

What this thread needs is MORE FUCKING NARWALS!!1 FUCK YEAH HORNS AND BONERS AND SHIT!

[BeachBaby]

55. Tell us to get a room, TZ......

and we will obey. :hide:

[3.14158675309]

57. I got your number RIGHT HERE, baby

I'm changing my nick to:

3.1407158675309

Hubba.

[BeachBaby]

58. ......

Hubba. :*

[BeachBaby]

44. While that may be true....

I also make sure that it's a win-win situation. :hide:

[3.14158675309]

50. Everybody wins!

:woohoo:

[BeachBaby]

51. FUCK YEAH 1!!!!!!!!!!!

:woohoo:

[3.14158675309]

54. BEACHBABY YOU FUCKING RAWK FUCK YEAH!!

I HIT IT YOU FOXY ASS TEASE COME HEAR NARWALS HORNY FUCK YEAH!!1

[Dr. Strange]

93. LOCKING.

FUCKING NARWHALS THREAD, YEAH!!!

[One_Life_To_Give]

12. As opposed to voluntary? I suppose

It's not like raising or lowering your hand. There is no direct control, so technically I guess thats part of the involuntary nervous system, like goose bumps, etc. That doesn't mean one is completly incapable of controlling it, by regulating the thoughts etc. which lead up to it.

[Rabrrrrrr]

13. It's only true for unevolved men who shun using their brains to control themselves.

Do they happen sometimes? Sure. But they are not automatic, and need not be automatic.

I've had plenty of massages by women, and never, um, pitched a tent.

Because - well, because I've decided to evolve, and not be beholden to animalistic instincts.

[redqueen]

22. I hope that's not sarcasm...

cause it seems logical to me and it makes me lean towards believing the instructor was correct.

[Rabrrrrrr]

33. Not sarcasm at all.

Any man who says he *has* to sport a woody, or *can't stop it because I'm a man* is a reptilian-brain-only specimen of humanity, and to be avoided.

The proper response to an inappropriately-timed erection is "Oh, I'm so embarrassed, and terribly sorry about that."

Not, "Live with it, cuz I'm a man, and that happens automatically!"

That man speaks for the part of the gene pool that needs to be, let's say, roped off and chlorinated to death.

[redqueen]

40. Thank you.

I like the 'reptilian-brain-only' terminology. Soooo much that that applies to, which really needs to just stop already.

[Solon]

56. Uhm, you just contradicted yourself in your own post...

You confirmed that they happen sometimes, involuntarily, I assume, and yet also say they aren't automatic, whatever that means.

Either it happens without you wanting it to, or it doesn't, most of the time its embarrassing, sure, but you can't claim that you have complete control when in reality you don't.

[Rabrrrrrr]

71. Forgive my lack of precision - read the above as "not 100% automatic"

I should have included the "100%" (or perhaps an ipso facto, a phrase I like).

Sorry about that.

[Solon]

75. Even then, again, you basically agreed that they can be involuntary...

while at the same time saying they can't be involuntary. So which is it?

[Rabrrrrrr]

79. How far backwards do I have to bend before I've fucking nuanced this enough for you?

How much do I have to apologize for a simple mistake of lack of clarity made earlier?

:eyes:

[sammythecat]

78. Yes,stimulating thoughts can pop up

but whether or not they're allowed to stay and increase in intensity is up to the conscious and, we hope, mature brain.

[HopeHoops]

14. Full Monty: "Nature shows"

Gerald: "I LIKE nature shows."

Donald: "Yeah, but they don't give you a hard on do they?"

:eyes:

laughter

Gerald: "Shut up. Its a medical problem!"

[rurallib]

15. pretty much involuntary as I see it

I take it you are talking about handling a man's penis in the line of work. Even at the ripe old age of &*($ I would still have trouble 'controlling' myself if a new person of the opposite sex would handle me.

[Schema Thing]

21. not me

So far, I'm always at the ready at the appropriate times... but when a woman puts on rubber gloves to handle my junk, and by "handle" I mean stick a swab up it, I am not amused or aroused.


And while I've been a bit worried that it would happen with a massage therapist (especially one I'm attracted to), it never has, thankfully. Although I'm sure it would turn into a scene straight out of penthouse forum if arousal did occur. Don't roll your eyes at me, ladies; you know you want me.

[blogslut]

16. Involuntary erections are real

Your instructor was wrong.

It's been ages but I recall more than one boyfriend that pitched tents in his sleep.

[redqueen]

17. No, if the person is unconscious that's different.

That's not what I'm addressing here, I mean.

It came up (pun not intended) in the thread about massages, when someone claimed that getting an erection while getting a massage was something that couldn't be helped.

I'm still inclined to disagree, I'm afraid.

[TZ]

24. Not everyone is the same.

I'm sure for some men, a massage could give an involuntary response. people react differently to different stimuli. Do you really think that a guy would suffer public ummm response if they could help it?

[redqueen]

28. I think that some people might not even consider taking the steps

necessary to avoid a situation, if they believed it was unavoidable.

[TZ]

38. Some might some might not.....They might try to avoid the stimulus itself

say the massage....but as for controlling the response itself...Thats pretty difficult.
As someone has said, have you not found yourself involuntarily stimulated at some point? Its just its much easier for a woman to conceal it....

[blogslut]

Why are nocturnal erections not considered involuntary?

Seems to me, an erection produced while sleeping would be the very definition of involuntary.

[redqueen]

35. I didn't say they weren't. I said they weren't the subject of this thread. (nt)

[blogslut]

46. Okay

But I think you're missing the point.

Erections happen because of blood flow. While it's possible for a man to "imagine" his way out of an erection, we're talking about a physical reaction that is no different that when a female's nipples become erect when manipulated.

[redqueen]

53. Do your nipples get hard during breast exams?

Mine sure don't... maybe it's a question of the person involved.

Maybe some people are more prone to becoming excited very very easily. :shrug:

[blogslut]

59. Here's the thing

Hard nipples don't always equal sexual arousal. As I stated before, it's about blood flow. For example, when I am cold, my nipples become erect because my body is pumping extra blood to my extremities.

I'm no physiologist, but I'm think that the male member is a slave to adrenaline and the bodily reactions that result when certain parts of the brain are "turned on".

I have to wonder if you're confusing sexual arousal with erections. Just because a man has a hard-on, that doesn't mean he (psychologically) wants to "get busy".

[redqueen]

61. No, I'm not confusing them.

I think men might be though, when they claim that erections during massages, exams, etc. are involuntary and uncontrollable.

For example... how many of these (straight) men, I wonder, would get an 'involuntary' erection if it were a big burly man giving them the massage / exam.

[Solon]

66. I've gotten an erection from a male doctor examining me before...

and I'm a straight male, does that count?

[blogslut]

74. Well...

I have to wonder if your worries are more about male prejudices and less about human physiology.

Lookit. Some dudes can make it through a massage without experiencing erection. Some dudes can't.

I wouldn't fault the dude in question just because he pitched a tent. When I was a hairdresser, I had many intimate experiences with my male (and female) clients. Human contact is a powerful thing.

The true test of mind over matter is what that man chooses to do in because of his erection. The man that claims he cannot control himself because he has experienced an erection is a weak man.

[Schema Thing]

102. Some women orgasm from breast feeding.

This will probably cause a lounge war involving the scene from When Harry met Sally at Olive Garden.

[redqueen]

109. You wish.

In reality it's very simple.

Key word: "some".

Apparently, "some" men can control their erections. Now I'm wondering how many. I suppose the answer is fewer than cannot, given the responses from this thread.

[Schema Thing]

119. huh?

I "wish" what?

[jobycom]

100. Seems to me you just completely disproved your premise.

If it can happen when a person is unconscious, it does happen involuntarily. End of thread. Maybe it isn't always involuntary, but it can be.

[redqueen]

104. Some men are actually able to control it. (nt)

[Shell Beau]

18. I obviously wouldn't know, but I look forward to reading some

of the replies. :o

[BeachBaby]

34. Move over, my friend.....

and here's some popcorn. :popcorn: :D :hi:

[TZ]

19. Not true.

Nocturnal emissions are a very good example of involuntary responses....:eyes:

[redqueen]

20. See post 17. (nt)

[KG]

25. not anymore, unfortunately

:(

[Solon]

26. Its well known that men have involuntary erections, and not necessarily while unconscious...

physical stimulation can trigger a response, and stress can also induce a response as well.

[no name no slogan]

29. I don't think it's black and white. It's a gray area

Some guys probably have less control over it than others. This is especially true of pubescent males, who seem to have almost no control at all over their wood sporting.

Now, as a more "seasoned" individual of nearly 40, I have excellent control over this type of behavior/reaction. However, I must qualify this statement by disclosing that I take certain medications which have been known to cause difficulty maintaining an erection and/or impotence in some patients.

In other words: I can pretty much control it 98% of the time. However, not all men are alike, and I'm fairly certain that not all of them are capable of the same level of control. It would be perfectly possible for a man to be sporting wood after getting a massage, especially if a sensitive area (or two) were getting touched.

[Wapsie B]

30. It depends on what you're focusing your attention.

If I see something arousing and focus on only that then it's best I sit down. If I shift my attention away from said stimuli then no woody's not coming. How does it work with women? When you see something arousing are there bodily changes going on?

[redqueen]

32. No, as with you, it depends on attention and focus.

I tend to think the same is most likely true of the vast majority of men older than a young teeanger.

:shrug:

[Wapsie B]

43. I agree with that.

Once a guy gets to a certain age he should know when it's appropriate to let yourself go and when not to.

[Bake]

39. They sure as hell aren't VOLUNTARY!!

You cannot, I repeat CANNOT try to have an erection.

Bake

[trof]

45. Time was...

Now?
Not so much.
;-)

[rcrush]

48. Does reading this thread count as an involuntary response?

Cause its working!

[guitar man]

49. umm...I'm not sure

I think they may be an involuntary response to some hot clevage, stockings with the seam up the back and the right perfume :P

[Deep13]

60. 1. yes it is. 2. excuse for what? nt

[crimsonblue]

62. it depends..

sometimes you get an involuntary erection, but you have to maintain it voluntarily to keep the penis erect. Or use Viagra.

[fishwax]

63. men who are sexually assaulted sometimes experience an involuntary erection

An erection can be a physiological response to any number of factors, some of which have nothing to do with sexual pleasure or fantasy.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that every erection on a massage table is an involuntary response--some of those guys might either be actively indulging in fantasy or doing nothing to try to fight it. But it's certainly true that erections can occur without effort or intent, and can even persist despite efforts to fight it.

[redqueen]

65. Thanks.

I think that might be the best answer in the thread.

[sammythecat]

72. When men are hanged they sometimes get erections

I don't think these kinds of erections are what the nurse was talking about.

[redqueen]

73. Of course not.

Thanks for recognizing the context.

[ReliantJ]

67. Go here.

http://npsupport.net/community/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5466

[sammythecat]

68. Erections require permission.

It starts in the brain and it all depends on what's going on in the guy's head. If his brain is aroused and he allows it to continue he will get an erection (unless he has ED). If he's embarrassed, distracted, or just bothered by the inappropriateness of the whole situation, he won't.

I'm assuming a full awake adult male with some reasonable control over his emotions. These are just my thoughts on the matter, not based on any research or medical expertise. I could be wrong, but I don't think so.

[eyepaddle]

69. It's like stifling a sneeze, it can be controlled, but with effort.

I once a had a manual labor job (Actually it was the job I had for most of my time on DU) that often involved hand loading semi trailers with 55 gallon drums of hazardous waste. Ad such my muscles often got a bit knotted up.

Side topic: have you ever noticed how much better massages feel when you are sore walking in?

At any rate, I found a therapist who had fingers that could crush dice--and had the skills to use the. This is kind of a rare combo, and one not to lightly throw away. She also happened to be a 22 year old blonde hottie. The first 4 or 5 massages were the "most difficult" after that I was really relaxed the entire time. Background, I usually had to think about what made me need the massage in the first place (loading semi trailers) to keep my mind off of "other things."

[redqueen]

76. Thanks.

It definitely seems like there might be different types of people... those who can control it and those who can't.

:shrug:

[eyepaddle]

77. I'd expect so, And theree is probably a spectrum of degrees of control

Sometimes I had to REALLY focus on thinking about stacking those drums! :blush:

[Solon]

80. In the context of massages, I have to tell them not to touch me in certain places...

Generally my lower back and thighs, otherwise I'll be embarrassed.

[Lyric]

81. Of course there are involuntary erections.

To deny that such a thing can happen is to deny that a woman can rape a man, because "he couldn't get it up if he didn't like it."

We all know that THAT line of reasoning is wrong.

Edit: That being said, not ALL erections are involuntary, obviously.

[NJmaverick]

82. Well pressure from the bladder on the prostate can cause involuntary erections

beyond that, there are times it can happen, but it's extremely rare.

[Lucian]

83. Uh, yeah, sometimes, they are.

Unless you can get one, maybe you shouldn't be so quick to say they aren't.

[SPKrazy]

85. The certainly can be

men have them about every 90 min at night

in the daytime it's not like someone thinks "I'll get an erection" sometimes it just happens... seriously.

Was your registered nurse a male?

I'd argue from here to eternity with them that they are incorrect.

[LeftyFingerPop]

86. You instructor is incorrect.

Breathing is an involuntary response that can be suppressed through conscious thought (holding your breath).

An erection is an involuntary response to sexual stimuli that can be suppressed through conscious thought.

[Rabrrrrrr]

118. I don't think you read it correctly - the nurse said it's a myth that men CANNOT control erections,

[LeftyFingerPop]

129. The OP has two parts...

1) The OP casts doubt that erections are involuntary. I am saying that they are involuntary. If her instructor is saying that erections are NOT involuntary, then her instructor is incorrect.

2) As far as the "control" issue, I probably should have said that erections "can USUALLY" be controlled. Sometimes, they can't, depending on the person's age and several other factors, including their anxiety level. So as far as the "control" issue, her instructor is probably mostly correct.

Hope this makes sense.

[Joey Liberal]

87. My package has a mind of its own sometimes:)........... nt

[Lil Missy]

88. So, what did you decide?

[slutticus]

90. Erections are a reflex. They are controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system.

They are most certainly an involuntary response.

[Inchworm]

92. ok...

your comment coupled with your username...

cracked me the hell up!!!

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

[slutticus]

98. I should have taken advantage of the name-change amnesty... :(

:D

[Withywindle]

94. Well, I don't have the equipment, but...

I've never had a boyfriend or close male friend who, sooner or later, didn't make a joke about the embarrassment of getting a stiffie in precisely the wrong situation, and the necessity (and difficulty) of concealing it, and spending an awful lot of mental energy thinking about, say, Barbara Bush naked (the old one, not the twin), to get it to go down. For a lot of men, any kind of glimpse or touch will do.

Erectile tissue is like that. Until I finally broke down and started wearing padded bras I'd spent most of my life with my arms crossed in case of random sexual fantasy (which kind of happens every few minutes, I must admit), chilly breezes, overzealous air conditioning, as well as sneezing and any other thing that causes goosebumps because that's what they are--giant goosebumps.

[ghostsofgiants]

95. I'm still pretty young, so this probably makes a difference, but...

I still get the occasional involuntary boner, no stimulus needed.

[cherish44]

96. Funny how guys love to talk about their tallywhackers isn't it?

:rofl:

[3.14158675309]

106. Hey! YOU gals brought it up

pun intended :rofl:

[redqueen]

107. No, it was LostinCT, in a locked thread.

This thread was just a question I had that I couldn't bring up there because it was locked.

[3.14158675309]

108. Okay. I admit it, then. God, it's great to have a penis!

FUCK YEAH PENISES!!1




:P :hi:

[Forkboy]

124. Up with penises!

[Cabcere]

126. Isn't it awfully nice to have a penis?

Isn't it frightfully good to have a dong?
It's swell to have a stiffy, it's divine to own a dick
From the tiniest little tadger to the world's biggest prick
So three cheers for your willy or John Thomas
Hooray for your one-eyed trouser snake
Your piece of pork, your wife's best friend, your percy or your cock
You can wrap it up in ribbons, you can slip it in your sock
But don't take it out in public, or they'll stick you in the dock
And you won't come back.

:P Ahh, Monty Python. :hi:

[quakerboy]

97. I call BS on your instructor

Sometimes it happens. A thinking person can generally tamp it back down pretty quick, but I have had sudden onset issues at times when there was NO stimulus(EG, by myself in a car, not thinking about anything stimulative, nothing going on, and I notice I have obtained an unfortunate state and think WTF). With certain stimuli, its damn near unavoidable.

[Lost in CT]

112. " With certain stimuli, its damn near unavoidable."

This is the wisest statement I have read on the subject.

[Lethe]

99. involuntary

a slight poke from keys in the pocket, friction from jogging, etc, is all it takes.

you can fight it with massive concentration of something totally unsexual, but it's hard sometimes.

[Orsino]

103. As usual, it's not that simple.

There can sometimes be a voluntary component, but no, they aren't all intended to annoy/offend your instructor. I'm sure s/he is a busy professional, but that's not an excuse for propagating myths in class.

[redqueen]

105. Apparently some men are able to control it.

If you read the thread, you'll find your opinion isn't the only one, either.

[Orsino]

113. Some are, sometimes.

The phenomenon resists pigeon-holing.

[redqueen]

114. As was said repeatedly yesterday. (nt)

[Rabrrrrrr]

117. I don't think you read it correctly - the nurse said it's a myth that men CANNOT control erections,

[Orsino]

120. The OP implies that the instructor thought *all* could be controlled.

That would be the myth. The point you raise, that that's not always the case, is one I agree with. It's not the either/or thing that seems to have been presented in the class.

[redqueen]

123. The OP is poorly worded.

Context is your friend.

[Wetzelbill]

110. I think they are, but if you close your eyes and think of horrible images

and all kinds of bad things you can get it back under control. From about 13-30, we're lucky we can even control ourselves at all. If the boxers even slightly rub up against a guy, that can be some trouble. Then at other times, it's not so bad. Probably depends on just how wild the hormones are going at any given time.

[cboy4]

111. Your registered nurse was sound asleep during male biology

class.

[Rabrrrrrr]

116. I don't think you read it correctly - the nurse said it's a myth that men CANNOT control erections,

and not to buy that lame excuse.

[Withywindle]

127. I think it depends on what it's an excuse FOR.

Excuse for manipulating or coercing to get sex? FAIL.

Excuse for just getting a physical response in a nonsexual situation that the poor guy's probably really embarrassed about? (say, getting a massage from the type of massage therapist who doesn't do "happy endings," being examined by a nurse). Yeah, I think it can be legit.

[Amaya]

115. ummm...

my husband calls it "morning wood"

:)

[qb]

121. Involuntary... and nearly impossible to get rid of when...

1. You have to piss like a race horse or,
2. You've been called on to solve the problem on the black board.
:scared:

[pdx_prog]

122. You certainly know how.....

to invoke a BIG.....





Discussion...:)

[Forkboy]

125. I'm not even sure I should be reading this thread.

I just learned way more about some people's todgers than I needed to.

[MilesColtrane]

128. They can happen of their own accord.

The solution is to think about baseball, or Barbara Bush.