How Do Erections Work

The first time we notice an erection, chances are, we don’t associate it with sexuality. The average boy would simply note that it’s tough to pee and that it goes away after a little while. As we grow older, there is no denying the connection between erections and sexual thoughts and feelings, and that connection only grows as we mature into adulthood. But how does an erection work, exactly, and if someone suffers from erectile dysfunction, what exactly is going on?

If you could see inside the average penis, you would see two large chambers that run up either side of the shaft. These chambers are filled with a spongy, flexible and absorbent kind of tissue that is completely unique to anywhere else in the body. This tissue is what expands when you get an erection. The erection process usually starts with some sort of stimulation, whether it be visual, physical or internal (wet dreams or simply the need to urinate that can often trigger an erection). Once the signal has been given to the brain that the body desires sexual readiness, blood is pumped into these adjoining chambers and the penis begins to, essentially, inflate like a balloon. When a full erection is achieved, the penis is harder, longer and ready for sexual performance. The skin around the penis takes on a whole new level of sensitivity, and the head of the penis or the gland is also extremely sensitive.

A condition commonly referred to as “blue balls” can be common in both men and women when prolonged sexual arousal does not result in an orgasm. In men, an erection for 3-4 hours without ejaculation leads to a build up of fluid in the pelvic region. This build up can cause a deep and extremely painful ache throughout the body, usually radiating from the testicles or from the lower abdomen. In extreme cases, the pain can be debilitating and medical care is needed.

For those folks that suffer from erectile dysfunction, the main culprit is simply a lack of blood flow to the two chambers in the penis that allow for normal inflation. Almost all erectile dysfunction drugs, like Viagra, simply help the body steer more blood to the pubic region, therefore allowing for the achievement of erections. Contrary to popular belief, pills like Viagra do not help you stay sexually aroused or help you become aroused, they simply allow you to get an erection easier once you are aroused.