International Erection Day

“Is there really a day for that?” Absolutely. For a few years now, March 7 always the hashtag #International Erection Day on social media and in Dutch health blogs. The idea: create a cheerful but serious moment to talk about erections – about what goes well, what sometimes goes wrong and how to seek help if you notice that things are not (anymore) working so smoothly. In the English-language corner you will also see a #NationalErectionDay on October 13; which was introduced in 2015 by an American “weird holidays” site and has since become mainly an online meme. eventguide.com

Why International Erection Day?

• Breaking the Taboo – erectile dysfunction affects over 300 million men worldwide, but only one in four spontaneously talks about it with a doctor or partner. A theme day lowers that threshold.
• Lifestyle awareness – smoking, lack of exercise, obesity and stress often play a much bigger role than “getting older”.
• Extra attention to early signals – a weaker morning wood can be the first warning light for cardiovascular problems.
• Fun & humor – Making a tense topic a little lighter helps many people to listen.

How was March 7 chosen? The fog surrounding its origins

There is no official WHO resolution or UN stamp; the first traces are Dutch blog posts from 2019 in which March 7 is suddenly presented as “Erection Day”. It was probably a social media campaign by health websites that was then taken over by urologists and commercial erection pill sites. Since 2023, the platform Erectiepillen.nl has deliberately used the date for tips, webinars and discount promotions. Have a nice day

What happens on Erection Day?

1. Healthcare professionals
   • General practitioners and urologists post Q&As on Instagram or TikTok.
   • Pharmacies distribute flyers about medication use and nitrates.
2. Companies & Webshops
   • Discount codes on condoms, lubricants and pelvic floor trainers.
   • Anonymous chat consultations with sexologists.
3. Media & podcasts
   • Interviews with men who share how they overcame ED with lifestyle or therapy.
   • Articles about new treatments such as low-intensity shockwave and topical gels.
4. Humorous actions
   • Radio stations play “Staying Alive” and “Can't Get It Up (If You Don't Get It Down)” requests.
   • Meme accounts post cartoons about the “state” of affairs.

How can you take advantage of International Erection Day?

When is Cenforce or Kamagra marketing still ethical?

The theme day logically attracts supplement and pill sellers. Ethics experts believe that advertising is allowed, provided that:

• No quick-fix promise – lifestyle is always the basis.
• Clear warning about prescription requirement – sildenafil and tadalafil remain UR resources.
• No targeting of <18 year olds – erection pills are not a party drug.

Criticism of Erection Day

• “Commercial circus” – discounts sometimes mask the fact that pills without a prescription are illegal.
• Medical trivialization – memes can actually trivialize real fears of ED.
• Inclusivity – hetero-focus ignores erection issues in trans or intersex people.

Useful links & resources

• Heart Foundation – vascular scan checklist (ED = first heart alarm)
• SeksuologieNVVS.nl – qualified therapists
• Uroweb.org – erectile dysfunction guidelines download
• WHO sexual health toolkit – free PDF brochures

Conclusion: sense or nonsense?

A separate International Erection Day is not an officially recognized “world day”, but it is a useful tool to make sexual health a topic of discussion. Those who use the date to break taboos, improve their lifestyle or finally schedule a doctor’s appointment will benefit from it. Those who only see it as a joke or a marketing gimmick may wonder whether they are not missing the point a little. Harder facts and softer conversations – that is what March 7 is all about… and honestly, on any other day of the year.