I would say age is a factor. In my teen years I got erections all the time, erotic thoughts or not. Usually not however, as I usually feared public erections, especially while sitting in class waiting for the bell to ring, then I would have to stand up. Of course that is when I would get a rock hard erection, so my fears usually got the best of me. I think it was so different then, now I don’t think anyone would give a damn or even notice.
With pe I now get spontaneous erections again, so there are definate benefits. I no longer fear the irrational.