Erectile Phobia/Erection Phobia
sometimes referred to as “arousal phobia”
Erectile phobia/erection phobia are colloquial common terms for any man – no matter his sexual preference – who allows his fear (phobia) of possibly having an erection (arousal) in public to actually prevent him from experiencing social nudity or, more appropriately, engaging as a bare practitioner. This fear is not based on sexual attraction. The most unfortunate aspect of this situation is that there is an an equal possibility that the same man will not have a public erection and therefore he is allowing his phobia to deny him the camaraderie and joys of communal nakedness. Arousals (erections) are not always available so none of us are immune from this happening. Most of us are realists and refuse to let the possibility deter and prevent our enjoyment.
Our nakedness is optional for all of us. It is an individual decision that we are afforded throughout our lifetime and we are free to determine when and where we engage in the activity. Our personal preference for public nudity/social nudity can and does change and vary according to situation, friends, family and other social determinants.
Background:
There are two official terms used to label the fear of seeing, thinking about and/or having a public erection. The first of these is ithyphallophobia. “Ithy” is taken from the ancient Greek word for straight and “phallo” is the same for penis. Thus, a “straight penis” or erection. The use of the word straight refers to direction rather than the colloquial for sexual preference.
The second of these is medorthophobia which is also identified as the fear of seeing, thinking or having a public erection. These terms are applicable to both genders although in the female category there is no fear of actually having a public erection.
Erections, or arousals, are a natural male response to sexual stimulation, imagined or real. It is perfectly healthy and normal with absolutely no reason for any feeling of shame. The enlargement of the man’s penis can and does happen when we are alone or in a group setting (social nudity). There are always those occasional awkward moments when a man’s penis really does have a “mind of its own” and reacts accordingly.
Practically every male who has survived puberty is aware that often we have minimal or no control over when and where our erections occur. It simply happens, regardless of the environment and/or situation. Without warning it grows and continues to do so until we’re miserable and ready to die of embarrassment and shame. What’s important to remember here is that none of us ever died from having a spontaneous (unplanned) erection.
Unfortunately, EP (erectile phobia) – ithyphallophobia, medorthophobia – inhibits and prevents some men (no matter their sexual attraction) from enjoying and participating in clothes free (naturist/nudist) activities. They are afraid of humiliation in the presence of their family, friends and peers. This is by no means an exclusive “queer fear!”
Aaron, my spouse, and I offer this post entry here on ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! as a resource to calm and help erase the anxieties and guilt that some men have with involuntary public erections. All of us deserve the freedom to experience life without the burden of a penile surprise!
Introduction:
We’ll start with attempting to dispel a few commonly believed myths surrounding public erections. These are misconceptions that frequently hinder the exploration of the bare practitioner life by those who are curious or tempted. Next, we’ll offer suggestions on coping should an unintentional penis enlargement occur.
It is important to remind everyone that erections are naturally spontaneous.
Myths/Misconceptions:
Everyone will automatically know that I’m an inexperienced social nudist.
This is a false premise. It is true that those who are “newbie nude” or unfamiliar with communal nakedness are possibly prone to public arousals, this is not an absolute. Veteran or experienced social nudists get erections, too! It happens to all of us. Regardless of the man, erections appear naturally and randomly. They don’t discriminate based on the number of times an individual has been communally bare.
If I get an erection around a group of naked men, everyone will know that I’m bisexual or gay.
News flash: heterosexual (opposite gender attraction) men get erections in public, also! Whether or nor they are in the company of women! An arousal, once a guy is past his early adolescent years, is generally caused by an increase in blood flow and/or by excitement, not necessarily because he is physically attracted to someone in close proximity. Practically all men will grow erect regardless of what gender they determine attractive.
People will think that I’m an exhibitionist or trolling for sex.
First of all, one of the very last places for an exhibitionist to visit is a socially nude environment. Exhibitionists are excited about exposing themselves and people’s reaction to their behaviour. A communal nudist event or location, practically everyone is clothes free. Exhibitionists would blend with the crowd and be practically invisible. Thus, there is no reward (thrill) for them.
If they are so bold as to masturbate in public, they are ignored, shunned, and soon escorted off the property (and informed never to return)!
Secondly, almost every social nudist is aware of erectile spontaneity and simply choose to ignore the condition. In a predominantly same gender loving (SGL) environment, we have all been there, had a public erection or two and understand (sympathize).
Everybody will laugh at me or worse.
This is simply not true, mainly for the reasons posed above. Most experienced naturists/nudists are sympathetic to this situation and too polite to call attention to a man with an erection. Unless the person is behaving in an offensive or provocative manner, few will give the arousal a second thought. There are no “erection control police” to embarrass or punish a man for being normal.
I’ll be humiliated!
If an erection does happen and understand that the key word here is “if,” this may be true. Remember that the discomfort will last only as long as the erection does. This is usually a few minutes. Once it returns to normal, enjoy the company of others who are around you. Relax and appreciate the freedom of having fun, naturally!
With the recent arrival of summer and the accompanying increase of bare or clothing optional social events (barbecues, cookouts, cocktail parties, sports opportunities, etc.) this post is offered as a resource to calm and erase the anxieties that some of us may have with visible erections. Everyone – bisexual, gay or otherwise – deserves the privilege to experience the season bare and without the concern of a spontaneous “surprise!”
Suggested solutions:
There are some options if a man begins to feel the onset of an arousal of his penis. Listed below are a few alternative actions that we’ve used or friends have recommended when in this predicament. Keep in mind that these are personal strategies and not from any official document or guide (I doubt that one exists). Remember, what may work well for one person may not be as successful for another.
If lying on a towel or a chaise lounge, simply roll over onto your stomach until the penis subsides (calms).
Common sense, right? “Out-of-sight, out-of-mind.” The penis is removed from public view.
A quick dive into the water and a brisk swim usually conceal an erection and the physical exertion relaxes the penis.
It also helps to take our mind off the situation and to focus our thoughts elsewhere. The swimming activity releases some of the energy retained.
If standing, either physically turn away (if possible, without being rude) or focus on maintaining eye contact directly with those around you. Concentrate on the dialogue and not the erection. Continue to interact as though nothing is amiss.
If this is done when you first notice your penis becoming aroused, it generally prevents a full erection. If the erection is underway, continue to focus on the group activity.
If you become aroused during a sports game (one-on-one or a team) or during a social game (charades, board game, cards) remain focused on the activity and not the physical reaction.
Becoming more involved in the activity often decreases the genital reaction, especially if movement is possible. Sometimes, using the hands or a game accessory to block visibility is also beneficial. Keep in mind that more probably, the attention is focused on the activity/game and not the physical reaction of one player.
If this happens during a meal, there is a convenience available known as a napkin. Use it to cover your lap while savouring the company and the food.
Just knowing that you’re no longer publicly exposed usually relaxes the penis. A meal generally involves an extended period of time so there is no pressure to discard the napkin.
If appropriate, use self-deprecating humour. Laughter shared with friends changes the mood and helps eliminate any tensions. Seeing the humour often dissipates the problem (erection).
Remember the proverb: “Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone.”
If all else fails, mentally envision the opposite of the situation. Picture castration or the affliction of a penile dysfunction. Those thoughts alone may quickly erase any unexpected and unwelcome natural urge.
Familiarity with both nakedness and photography does not create immunity to physical responses to bare imaging. Photographers – both amateur and professional – get spontaneous erections, too! There is no guaranteed exemption from this natural occurrence, it afflicts us all!
Recognizing erectile phobia (ithyphallophobia, medorthophobia) for what it is, understanding that it is both natural and normal and knowing that others are sympathetic hopefully will reduce any concerns or issues about participating in social nudity. Sometimes, just realizing that there is a name for a particular problem helps to ease anxiety.
The above suggested solutions if (that word, “if” again) an arousal or erection does occur hopefully provide possible strategies to use in the situation. Occasionally, knowing there is a “back-up” (alternate) plan (or several) eliminates the need for intensive preparation.
Any bare practitioner acquaintances or friends to discuss or explore these concerns with are excellent resources and potential allies. They may offer better suggestions for effective and helpful ideas than the ones offered by Aaron and I above!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Friday, August 28, 2026, and the proposed topic is: “August Nudescapes!”
Francois remains phobia free of his nakedness!
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 