Contents:
- Medical Video: Circumcision | Nucleus Health
- What is an erection?
- Erection can already occur while still in the womb
- Erection can also occur in infants
Medical Video: Circumcision | Nucleus Health
So far what we know is erection in children or adult men. However, did you know that actually erection in men has started since men are still in the womb. Yes, precisely during the fetus. How come? Let's look at the explanation below.
What is an erection?
Before discussing how a male fetus can erect in the womb, you should first know what it is actually an erection. Erection is when the penis is tightened or in an upright position. Erection occurs when the penis is filled with blood so that the shape and size become larger. This condition usually only lasts for a few minutes or longer depending on what causes the penis to become erect.
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Erection can occur for various reasons. However, usually erections are caused by various types of thoughts or sexual stimuli. This is the most common reason why erections can occur in adult men. Teenagers also usually begin to experience erections during puberty. This is a normal part of their sexual development. However, how is erection in the fetus and baby? How did it happen?
Erection can already occur while still in the womb
You might be surprised to hear that, but this can really happen. In addition to drinking its own semen, another oddity that occurs when a baby is still in the womb is the occurrence of an erection. This has also been proven by various studies. One study that has proven this is research published by the journal Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. The study found that male fetuses had begun to erect at around 16 weeks' gestation.
Other studies conducted in Japan in 1995 have also proven this. The research published by the Early Human Development involved 12 male fetuses at 36-39 weeks' gestation. The result was that all male fetuses involved in the study had erections that lasted 5-17 minutes. The frequency of erections in the fetus during the observation period can occur up to three times.
The penis that appears when the baby is still in the womb and has an erection can make it easier for doctors to see the sex of the baby. The penis will usually peek from behind the testicles, like the shape of a turtle, so that from the ultrasound results you can see that the baby in your womb is male. So, erection in a male fetus is normal in utero activity.
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Erection can also occur in infants
Yes, besides occurring when a baby boy is still in the womb, an erection can also occur in a baby who is already born. It is not clear why this can happen, but certainly you as a mother usually see this when changing a baby's diaper or while bathing the baby. You don't need to be surprised or worried when you see this because actually erection in a baby is a normal thing to happen.
Erection in infants usually occurs without obvious causes. According to experts, frequent erections occur due to uncontrolled reactions, such as surprise. Erection can also show that the baby's nervous system is working properly. Erection can also occur because the baby's bladder is full and the baby wants to urinate. Maybe this is why you often find an erect baby while changing baby diapers. So, you don't need to worry anymore when you see this happening.
In addition to erection, the penis will also usually get bigger in the first days after a baby boy is born, if you notice it. This is caused by maternal hormones during childbirth and trauma at birth. The penis will usually shrink in a few days.
Erection usually occurs in infants in just a few minutes. Maybe your baby looks uncomfortable with this, but don't worry about this because erection in babies is normal. What is abnormal is that when the erection occurs for more than one hour, the color of the penis becomes reddish or swollen, and the baby looks nervous. If these signs occur, you should immediately take your baby to the doctor.
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