We asked men to try and explain what getting an erection feels like

Courtney Pochin

Published January 4, 2026 7:00am

A man looking into the camera and biting his lip, with a colourful pink, purple and blue background — Men get hard multiple times a day, but what does it feel like? (Picture: Getty)

It’s often joked that men are from Mars and women are from Venus.

And while we gals have learnt many eye-opening secrets about men over the years (like the fact that there are six different types of male orgasm and that ‘fire penis’ exists) there’s one thing that will always remain a total mystery: what does it really feel like to get an erection?

We know the science behind it all. It’s a physiological phenomenon that is often triggered by sexual arousal, sending increased blood flow to the penis, causing it to swell and harden, yada, yada, yada. But it’s obviously not something we’ll ever actually be able to experience for ourselves.

With that in mind, we decided to ask men to try and put the feeling into their own words, sharing what happens, how it makes them feel, and if there’s anything they can compare the sensation to.

Considering most men get hard multiple times a day (it’s often cited that men get hard 11 times in 24 hours), you’d think they’d be experts on the subject, but it’s fair to say some of the responses we received were a little lacklustre, while others were definitely not at all what we were expecting.

Much like sex in general, it was a bit of a mixed bag. Without further ado, here’s what they had to say…

Female hand with red nails holding cucumber on white background isolated. — Women want to understand what it feels like when it gets hard (Picture: Getty Images)

Sylvester, 28

When I was younger, an erection was almost disturbing. It felt annoying, but as time has passed, I have now managed to understand that it is a moment of pride and joy when my body gives me a signal. I began to listen more closely and celebrate an erection and have become very aware of all the sensations it causes in my body.

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Brian, 50

At my age, getting an erection causes feelings of relief, as it means that I can still feel young.

Happy man stretching, waking up with joy at home — The experience can cause a feeling of relief as you get older (Picture: Getty Images)

Vincent, 37

Getting an erection makes me feel superior. Sorry to say that, but this is how I feel. I’m powerful in those moments; it’s a total ego boost, as it’s almost like a physical confirmation that everything’s working.

My brain basically switches tabs when it happens, though. I can’t pay attention to anything else for a moment.

Joey, 29

It’s just something that happens. It’s not necessarily associated with a particular emotional or physical sensation.

It can be uncomfortable to walk, especially if it goes down the wrong trouser leg. Peeing is difficult with one, too; it tends to shoot off in odd directions.

Athletic Man Flexing Back Muscles In Gym, Showcasing Strength, Fitness, And Bodybuilding — Some men said it made them feel powerful, while others compared it to flexing a muscle (Picture: Getty Images)

LK, 53

The best way to understand is that it brings a feeling of want and anticipation. All my senses are activated.

Charles, 37

It’s a tingling sensation that reminds me of how I felt when I first started my business. There’s a mix of blood rush and throbbing as I can feel my balls fill up.

@stephandkayls
A very valid question 😂 #relationships #couplecomedy #funny #fyp
♬ original sound – Steph & Kayls

If these answers aren’t cutting it, several men have also shared their thoughts on social media.

On TikTok, Kayla from @stephandkayls took one for the team and asked her husband what it feels like when it’s ‘growing’. Stephen replied: ‘That’s a tough question, I don’t think I’ve ever thought about how to describe it. It feels like it’s growing, it’s getting harder.

‘I’d maybe compare it to flexing a muscle, kind of. Like, going from not flexing to slowly flexing, when it’s getting tense. That’s the best thing I can use to describe it.’

In the comments of their video, someone else compared it to the feeling of holding a balloon while filling it with water.’You start feeling the weight,’ they claimed.

While @bmontepeque11 elaborated: ‘It starts feeling heavier, and at the same time it gradually grows bigger. The important thing to note is that it feels like hydraulic weight, by that I mean, it’s not heavy like lifting a rock, it’s heavy like lifting a bucket of water. Yes, there is weight, but that weight can also kind of move around depending on your movements.’

Another said it’s the ‘same as when you twist your ankle or injure a finger, to where it gets swollen, just without the pain’.