Table of contents:
- How does the penis work?
- How is the process until the penis can get an erection?
- What causes the penis to become unable to get an erection?
The penis is the male sexual organ. This organ is unique in that it can "harden" or "erect" when it is stimulated or stimulated. Have you ever wondered why this can happen?
As an intimate organ, of course, an erection on the penis is very necessary in order to maintain harmony between you and your partner. Sometimes, even when given stimulation, the penis does not get erect properly. This condition is called sexual dysfunction, aka impotence. If so, how exactly does an erection that occurs in the penis work?
How does the penis work?
The penis consists of several parts. These parts will work with each other in the process of getting an erection. The parts of the penis include:
- Head of the penis: located at the very tip of the penis. There are differences in the head of the penis in circumcised and uncircumcised men. On the uncircumcised head of the penis, there is a moist, pink tissue called the mucosa, so the head of the penis is covered by this mucosa. While on the circumcised head of the penis, the mucosa changes to dry skin when the foreskin is surgically removed.
- Corpus cavemosum: two tissue spaces that run along the sides of the penis. This section plays a role in an erection, because blood fills this tissue.
- Corpus spongiosum: like the tissue that runs along the front and ends at the head of the penis, it also contributes to an erection.
- Urethra: it lies through corpus spongiosum. Here the urine will be excreted by the body.
How is the process until the penis can get an erection?
The process of getting an erection looks easy, just trigger sexual arousal, wait a few minutes or even seconds, then the penis is "erect". But the process behind it all turns out to be quite long. This is the reason the penis can be "erect" even though there are no bones in it, here's the explanation:
- Men get sexual stimulation - it can be in the form of touch, memories that trigger sexual arousal, fantasies, and even sounds - then hormones, muscles, nerves and blood vessels will work so that an erection occurs.
- The part of the brain called para-ventricular nucleus will send more signals due to the stimulation obtained.
- These signals will be carried to the spinal cord by passing special autonomic nerves, then to the pelvic nerves, cavernous nerves, which flows through the prostate gland to reach corpora cavernosa and arteries to fill it with blood.
- After getting the signal, the muscle fibers are in corpora cavernosa calms down in response to received stimuli, so that the blood can fill the spaces inside corpora cavernosa.
- There is an about eightfold increase in blood flow to the penis. This increase affects the widening of space sinusoidal on corpora, and stretch the surrounding part (tunica - enveloping fibers corpora cavernosa penis)
- When the tunica stretches, it closes the veins that carry blood vessels to it corpora cavernosa. Finally, the blood is trapped in the penis. Over time, the pressure increases so that there is an erection on the penis.
- The muscles in the pelvic floor contract around corpora cavernosa when an erection progresses, the blood pressure doubles in its main circulation.
- Until the climax, there are two things that can trigger orgasm and contraction of the muscle fibers in corpora cavernosa as well as the arteries that supply it. First, when you orgasm, the signal from the brain changes drastically. Then, there is an increase in the production of noradrenaline from the nerves of the genital organs. This causes a decrease in blood flow to the penis.
- A drop in pressure ensued inside corpora, which is also a relaxing part tunica, so that the blood is not trapped again and comes out of the penis. The penis becomes "flaccid" again.
What causes the penis to become unable to get an erection?
Not infrequently, when you have been sexually stimulated, the penis is also not erect. In fact, you usually don't feel you have a sexual dysfunction problem. There are several factors that can affect erection difficulties:
- Worry. Sometimes you think of fear of not being able to get an erection, not being able to satisfy your partner, or stress because of life's problems you are facing. Anxiety and stress can interfere with the work of the hormone testosterone, so that the brain, blood vessels, nerves cannot send and continue signals to produce more testosterone.
- Shame or lack of confidence. You may feel embarrassed about the shape and size of your penis, or even your performance. So, even sexual stimulation can not be responded well by nerves.
- Relationship problems. These are things you need to ask yourself and your partner. Lack of ‘emotional bonding’ between the two parties prevents you from responding well to stimuli. Problems in the relationship if allowed to accumulate will disturb you psychologically, so that when dealing with a partner, fantasies about it feel bland. If there is a problem, you should discuss it carefully with your partner.