How and Why Does a Penis Get Erect?

An erection is one of the most commonly occurring phenomena in nature. Men generally start getting erections around the time they hit puberty and this continues until old age. An erection is a fascinating and intricate process that has amused scientific researchers for ages. Have you ever wondered why an erection happens? Let us look at the physiological reasons behind erections and how you can improve them.

So, how does a penis get erect?

Anatomy

There are two chambers inside the penis called corpora cavernosa. They’re long chambers, starting from the head of the penis and extending till the pelvis. These chambers are made up of a tissue that is spongy in texture and possesses the ability to grow in size by absorbing blood volume.

On a normal day

When the penis is in a flaccid state and not aroused, the arteries running up to the penis to supply blood only open up partially, providing just enough blood to keep the penile tissues healthy and functional.

Upon arousal
When you are aroused in response to mental or physical stimulation, a hormonal response is triggered by the brain that signals some of the penile arteries to open up completely now. Eventually, there is a rush of blood into the corpora cavernosa. The force of blood entering the chambers is higher than that of the blood leaving through the veins. As a result, the veins compress and blood gets trapped in the penis. 

This series of events causes and maintains an erection. Once the brain signals indicating sexual arousal stop, the hormonal response also comes to an end. The arteries go back to their partially opened state and the penis becomes flaccid again.

But, why does an erection occur?

An erection occurs in the excitement stage of intercourse to prepare the body for sexual activity. It is easier for a hardened penis to penetrate the vagina. It is usually accompanied by tense muscles and an increased heart rate and blood pressure. An erection can happen both voluntarily and involuntarily, even in the absence of physical stimulation. For the intent of procreation, an erection is required for natural insemination. Even in cases of artificial insemination, an erection is a pre-condition to be able to harvest sperm.

Reasons why you may not be getting an erection
The inability to achieve an erection is known as Erectile Dysfunction (ED). There are several reasons why men may experience erectile dysfunction:

1. Physical or emotional issues.
2. Medical conditions affecting blood vessels or nerves such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and multiple sclerosis.
3. Low levels of testosterone.
4. Cancer treatments, especially radiation.
5. Anxiety, stress, and depression can cause involuntary erections like in the morning or when you’re asleep.
6. Certain medications such as antidepressants and beta-blockers in blood pressure medicines can also cause ED.

How can you get better erections?
If you are having trouble achieving an erection, you should consult a doctor to find out the root cause behind this issue. To get better erections, penis enlargement pumps are widely used all over the world. These hydro penis pumps from Bathmate are a safe and secure way of increasing the size of your penis temporarily and getting a strong erection. Penis pumps, also known as ED pumps, are also widely used to reverse the effects of erectile dysfunction in men.