The science of erections
An erection happens when the penis fills with blood and gets
hard. The penis has 2 main chambers that run along side the top
of the penis shaft. This area, the corpora cavernosa, is made up
of spongy tissue, veins, arteries, spaces, and smooth muscles
that hold in-flowing blood.
Erections happen when more blood flows into the penis and less
blood flows out. The erection process is perfectly normal and
can happen at any time throughout the day.
Most healthy males get erections during REM (rapid eye movement)
sleep (the time of sleep when dreams happen). Also, erections
when waking up are a sign of good penis health.
Usually, erections happen during physical arousal or
fantasizing, but other things can cause it to occur. Such causes
include pressure on the genital area and pressure from the
urinary bladder from the need to urinate.
For an erection to happen, some kind of stimulation makes the
brain and penile nerves to get excited. They tell the smooth
muscles of the corpora cavernosa to let blood in, and stop blood
from flowing out. This has the effect of expanding the penis
size.
As the penis gets larger in length and girth, it is normal for
it to rise at an angle. This angle is usually anywhere from
parallel to the floor to pointing almost straight upward.
Sometimes men are stressed out and can't get an erection. This
is just the body's way of dealing with stress (or the
"fight-or-flight" response). Worrying about a small penis size
or having an unattractive partner can make it impossible for a
man to keep an erection.
Other things that affect erections are: the amount of sleep a
guy gets, how active he is, and in general, age causes changes
in hormone levels, like testosterone.
Erection problems
If a man can't keep an erection for 25% of the time, he may have
erectile dysfunction, or ED. Treatments for erectile dysfunction
can include penile injections, vacuum pumps, surgery, prosthetic
devices, Viagra, hormone therapy, counseling, and natural penis
exercises.
Some of these methods try to physically help a guy get an
erection, while others improve his sex drive so he can perform
better.
Methods like injections, prosthetic devices, and vacuum pumps do
not require arousal, as they are based on an automatic response.
Other methods like pills and the natural exercises improve the
blood flow into the penis, and make erections possible upon
sexual arousal. Some pills work each time you take them, while
others work for more long lasting benefits.
Regular erections are a natural part of good male sexual health.
The ability to get erections decreases with age, but there are
things men can do to improve themselves.
Erection problems can be forever cured with modern methods like
surgery, counseling, pills, and even exercises.