9 Effective & Safe Ways to Get Rid of an Erection

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Get rid of an unexpected erection quickly & discreetly
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Erections are a completely natural bodily function, but they can be an unwanted surprise when you aren’t in the privacy of your home. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to both prevent and get rid of a boner without anybody else realizing it. Read on to learn plenty of easy tips and tricks to keep your morning (or evening) wood at bay. We’ll even take a closer look at why random erections seem to happen, and when it’s a good time to mention them to your doctor.

Things You Should Know

  • Meditate to help keep your mind off an impending erection, or distract yourself with something unrelated to your arousal.
  • Take a cold or warm shower to get rid of an erection right away, or get a little bit of exercise to help the process along.
  • Head to the bathroom and urinate—this may help eliminate your ongoing erection.
Section 1 of 4:

How to Not Get an Erection

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  1. Meditating is a great way to clear your head and get relaxed, which is incredibly helpful if you’re struggling to suppress or control a boner. There are lots of different meditation varieties to choose from, including:
  2. A boring history lecture. An episode of your favorite TV show. When it comes to self-distraction, the sky’s the limit, as long as it gets your mind off your erection (and any arousing thoughts that might be causing it). [1]
    • If you get an erection in the middle of class, try focusing on something else in the classroom, like something written on the whiteboard or a page in your textbook.
    • If you get an erection in public (like while you’re on the bus), focus on something else that’s happening nearby, like a conversation someone is happening.
    • If you get an erection randomly, think of a really gross sensation, like stepping in dog poop barefoot or drinking milk that’s gone bad.
    • Enjoying a quick snack or meal is a great way to distract yourself from an ongoing boner, and may even help it go away.
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Get Rid of an Erection

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  1. People everywhere agree—nothing quite stops an erection in its tracks like some water. If you’re at home, take a warm shower to wash your erection away. [2] If you’re at a pool or waterpark (where a boner could be especially obvious), take a dip in the water instead.
    • Some people swear by cold water, while others find warm water work best. Try both to see what works for you.
  2. Head to the nearest restroom and try urinating. With any luck, your erection may start to go away after you relieve yourself. [3]
    • When you're erect, your body closes the opening to your bladder so that semen won't enter it. Trying to pee can trick your body into easing the erection to allow for urine flow.
  3. Pinch your thigh firmly to cause a distracting sensation and get your attention to focus elsewhere. Only do it for a second or two, and then stop if it doesn't work.
    • Never pinch or otherwise injure your genitals to stop an erection. You may stop the erection, but you could do some serious damage in the process.
  4. Go for a quick walk around your neighborhood, or do some other type of activity that helps you break a sweat. Getting your blood pumping is a great way to get those feel-good chemicals flowing. [4] Plus, it may help your blood pump a little less down there.
  5. Sit down and cross your legs to hide the evidence . If you aren’t able to sit, try using a jacket, backpack, or other bulky item to disguise your boner. [6]
    • If you feel comfortable doing so (and can find a private place to do so), try to reposition your boner so it’s a little less obvious to the naked eye. You’ll probably have to sneak away to the restroom to do this.
  6. While this is hardly the ideal option, it’s possible to simply wait out your erection (though this admittedly isn’t the most comfortable option). Erections can stick around for up to a couple hours, so you might need to be patient. [7]
  7. Masturbation is the most natural way to relieve yourself and eliminate an erection at the source. While this obviously isn’t an option when you’re in public, some quick me-time can clear up your boner if you’re trying to suppress or get rid of an erection while you’re at home (or in another private setting). [8]
    • Alternative: Make sure that your clothes aren’t rubbing up against your boner in a way that could make it worse. [9]
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Section 3 of 4:

Can erections happen randomly?

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  1. Erections can most definitely be reflexogenic or psychogenic (related to physical or mental arousal), but they can also be nocturnal—in other words, they happen during the night. It’s completely normal for a penis to switch between erect and flaccid while a person sleeps, which is why some people wake up with a random boner (often known as “morning wood”). [10]
Section 4 of 4:

When to See a Doctor

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  1. Some people’s erections may last longer than others, but they should never be painful and last for really extended periods of time (like 4+ hours). If you experience an extended, uncomfortable erection, see your doctor as soon as possible. [11]
    • Long-lasting erections are a major symptom of priapism, a condition that can lead to long-term genital damage without the proper treatment.
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  • Question
    Is it natural to get erection at the age of 12 to 15?
    Socialist Tsar
    Community Answer
    That is the time when puberty starts to occur, so yes, it is natural.
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  • Question
    Is it true that I get an erection when I see attractive girls because I'm a virgin?
    Community Answer
    No, all young males get erections when they are sexually attracted to someone.
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  • Question
    Will an erection go away if I'm completely submerged in water, for example, a pool, bath, or beach?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Cold water will help, yes, though it's not a guarantee. Use the other tips and tricks in this article simultaneously.
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      Tips

      • If you have a young child who is starting to learn about their developing body, take some time to explain exactly what erections are and what your child can expect. Make it clear that erections are totally normal, but that they should only explore their bodies by themselves in a private setting. [12]
        Thanks
        Helpful 3 Not Helpful 3
      • If you’re worried about getting erections in public, wear clothes that can help disguise the evidence, like dark pants/shorts, longer shirts, and comfortably fitting underwear and bottoms. Tight or light-colored clothing can make an erection more obvious.
        Thanks
        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 2
      • Keep in mind that there’s nothing physically dangerous about having an erection or practicing healthy masturbation (unless the erection lasts for several hours continuously).
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • If the situation seems right (like if you're exercising), pretend you have a cramp. This way you can stretch and bend over to conceal it.
      • Take deep breaths and count down/up to a certain number repeatedly. This may help get your mind off your erection and make it go away.
      • Shift your erection so it is pointing straight up towards your belly button. This can make it easier to hide/disguise.
      • Flex one muscle for 60 seconds (1 minute) and then relax it. This can help an erection go away pretty quickly.
      • Put your hands in both pockets and make fists—this hides the bulge of your erection.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.rochester.edu/uhs/ask-the-sexpert-random-erections/
      2. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/priapism-painful-erections/
      3. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/priapism-painful-erections/
      4. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/exercise-and-stress/art-20044469
      5. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/priapism-painful-erections/
      6. ↑ https://www.rochester.edu/uhs/ask-the-sexpert-random-erections/
      7. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10036-erection
      8. ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/teens/puberty/whats-deal-erections-ejaculation-and-wet-dreams
      9. ↑ https://www.rochester.edu/uhs/ask-the-sexpert-random-erections/
      1. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10036-erection
      2. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10042-priapism
      3. ↑ https://www.planetpuberty.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pp-erections.pdf

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you need to suppress an erection, try to cover it up so it isn’t obvious. Sit down if you’re standing, since it’s easier to hide an erection that way. You can cross your legs or bring your knees up, which creates more room in your pants. You can also use a book or backpack to cover your lap. Alternatively, do something to distract yourself so the erection goes away. You can do some exercise, which will help the blood flow away from your penis. Another option you can try is working on a math problem or something else that’s complicated, since you’ll be using more energy in your brain. For tips on how to choose clothing that will conceal an erection, keep reading!

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        Aug 27, 2017

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