DETUMESCENCE AND REFRACTORY PERIOD

Following ejaculation, blood drains out of the penis, which then reverts to its normal resting state. The penis remains limp and flaccid for a period of time during which neither erection nor ejaculation is possible. The penis is considered to be unresponsive (refractory) to stimulation during this interval. The duration of the refractory period seems to vary with age; younger men may experience reflexogenic erections thirty to forty-five minutes after ejaculation, whereas older men may require two to three hours or more before doing so.

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