Erection shape, curvature, angle and hardness are all things most men would have worried about at some stage. I used to stress that my erection curves/twists ever so slightly to the left, before I realised that many men have far more exagerated curvature of their erections, left, right, up or even down and their penises function perfectly sexually. Actually my penises slight twist is very minor, it's almost completely straight.

Depression / anxiety and erections.

Beginning probably in my late teens to early 20s I have suffered on and off with depression and anxiety. For many years I wasn't aware that I was like so many other people in this regard. One tends to imagine you're all alone in the world. Depression can, and in my case did impact on my sexuality in various ways, including the hardness and angle of my erections.

Amoung men there is huge variety in erection firmness and angle. Sex therapists and doctors agree that any erection which facilitates satisfactory sexual intercourse is within the range of 'normal'. This broad definition encompasses everything from downward pointing to horizontal, from horizontal to competely vertical with various curves and twists, upwards, downwards, left or right.

Since receiving treatment for my depression my erections are much firmer and higher. My fully aroused penis sits at about 35º above horizontal, which I now understand is well within the range considered average.

In its maximum engorged state my penis is very hard and springy and the glans are very firm and glossy. My girlfriend has nicknamed this high state of sexual arousal 'Mr. Super Stiffy', which we both find humorous and very sexy.

I notice that at certain times, for instance when masturbating in a comfortable warm position I can be pleasantly aroused, masturbate easily and achieve orgasm without my erection reaching anything like its potentional stiffness.

Conversely when having sex with my partner or having her conduct oral or manual sex on me, or when I'm very aroused my penis is much harder. This kind of variation is quite normal, in fact it's widely accepted that a man may reach orgasm and ejaculate without becoming completely erect.

Clearly erection is not an absolute prerequisite sexual activity and less emphasis placed on getting and keeping an erection would probably make sex more enjoyable for everyone involved. Society does place pressure on men to 'function' and many women are less than supportive if a man is having difficulty becoming erect. This is in my opinion a double standard considering a woman having trouble reaching orgasm is rarely subject to such castigation.

The main issue surrounding erections is the inherent variability due to the tight link with psychological factors, emotional state, stress/anxiety levels and intensity of arousal stimuli relative to these negatively impacting factors.

My advice to any man who feels he is subject to this kind of ostracism from a woman is to walk away and not look back. If she is that insensitive she's simply not worth your time.

Pictures of my erection