Among the basic needs of the human body and mind, sex ranks equally with food, shelter and clothing. In as much as conventional and traditional sex needs the participation of both a man and a woman, it also requires the cooperation of the lead actor of the play which is the penis. Complete and exhilarating sex necessitates an erect penis that is hard, firm and stays that way for an hour or two.
However, as basic and familiar as erection is in man’s daily life, very few people especially the young ones actually understand the mechanisms behind penile erection. A clear knowledge of how it works is necessary to shed light on the prevalent yet unreported and hidden problems of erectile dysfunction.
The entire process of erection commencing from the receipt of stimulus to the release of semen during ejaculation and its return to the flaccid non-erect state is called the corporo-veno-occlusive mechanism. It is about the relaxation and contraction of the blood vessels running along the penis, the resultant inflow and storage of blood into the veins, and finally the outflow and recession of blood supply.
Simply put, external stimulus arouses sexual desire which causes the penile veins to get flooded and engorged with blood that causes the penis to swell and harden.
Stimulus and Sexual Arousal
Stimulus could either be directed to the brain or be applied directly to the penile area or other parts of the male body that arouse sexual desire. Brain stimulus could be brought by memory or fantasy or by visual, olfactory and aural sensations that send messages to the brain about desire and want to engage in sex. The sight of plump half-covered breasts, the smell of sweet perfume or the feel of the woman’s body are more than enough to send panic signals though the body.
Chemical Reaction
Whatever means is employed in arousing sexual desire, the brain sends out certain chemicals that transmit signals to the nerves located in and around the penile area. These messages cause the release of Nitric Oxide which commands the penile muscles to relax allowing blood to rush into the nerves positioned in the penis. These nerves inflate to accommodate as much blood as needed in order to effect an erection.
Sustained Erection
To make the penis hard and stiff is one thing, sustaining it is another. A whole different set of hormones and complicated veins hold the blood in place while the erect penis does its job. They are also responsible for the relaxation of the veins and the eventual return to flaccid state after ejaculation.