Erectile Development and Function

Developmental Timeline of Erectile Function

• Fetal testosterone production begins at 7-8 weeks of gestation, with peak levels occurring at 14-16 weeks, which is essential for male genital differentiation 2
• Erections can occur in male fetuses during prenatal development as part of normal sexual differentiation 1, 2
• In male infants, testosterone levels increase from birth to peak at 1-3 months of life, then decrease to prepubertal levels by 4-6 months of age 2
• The postnatal testosterone surge likely contributes to continued erectile capacity in early infancy 2
• Morning and nocturnal erections become more prominent during puberty as testosterone levels rise 3
• Erections in infancy and childhood are not sexually motivated and represent normal physiological reflexes 1, 2