How an erection works

Getting and maintaining an erection that lasts long enough for you to finish having sex is dependent on the arteries in the penis relaxing and widening allowing blood to flow smoothly and easily into the penis.  When a man is sexually stimulated, the brain sends a chemical signal to various nerves.  These nerves then cause chemicals to be released from the blood vessels in the penis.  This chemical triggers a series of events that causes two large chambers to fill with blood.  As the arteries expand and harden, the veins that normally carry blood away from the penis become compressed; this stops the blood flowing out of the penis.  With more blood flowing in than flowing out, the penis enlarges resulting in an erection.

An erection is a perfectly balanced process that involves the brain, blood vessels, nerves and hormones.  If one of these elements is not functioning, ED may well be the result. 

High Cholesterol affects male erections »